What do we mean when we say psychology is a science?

Psychology uses the scientific approach: it uses objective evidence to test ideas. This approach avoids some flaws in human reasoning by

Being objective--focusing on publicly observable facts (so, acting differently than the opponents of Galileo who refused to look through his telescope)--rather than being biased, and
Looking for evidence that could prove the ideas wrong (hypothesis-testing) rather than trying to prove their ideas right (hypothesis confirming). So, rather than ask "Am I right?", scientists ask "Am I wrong?"

To most of you, this approach makes sense: You would like it if people would base their opinions on facts and ask themselves "Could I be wrong?"

The fancy name for this approach of anchoring beliefs to observable evidence is empiricism. Often, testing beliefs leads scientists to be "myth busters" (e.g., busting myth like that people are good at knowing whether someone is lying or that cramming is effective).

Review the empirical approach by studying this concept map.

Quiz: What do we mean when we say psychology is a science?

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Scientific Approach

Advantages Disadvantages

Facts may replace opinions 1. The scientific approach can only find answers to questions that can be objectively tested. This means it can't answer some very important questions (e.g., questions about what morality and questions about the supernatural).

2. Finding simple rules to explain behavior may be depressingly demystifying

3. Finding simple rules to explain behavior may be impossible.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Facts may replace opinions	1. The scientific approach can only find answers to questions that can be objectively tested. This means it can't answer some very important questions (e.g., questions about what morality and questions about the supernatural).
2. Finding simple rules to explain behavior may be depressingly demystifying
3. Finding simple rules to explain behavior may be impossible.

Conclusions about the Value of the Scientific Approach

Science is better than quackery (For tips on how to sniff out quackery, use this Science vs. Quackery link)

Using the scientific approach can tell you things about human behavior that you didn't already know. For example, it can help you rejct myths about studying so that you can study better.
- One link to a site that debunks some common myths about studying.
- Another link to a site that debunks myths about studying
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