Is Psychology a Science? Free Paper Sample with Annotated Bibliography

DIENES, Z. (2008). Understanding psychology as a science an introduction to scientific and statistical inference. New York, Palgrave Macmillan. http://lib.myilibrary.com?id=977098.

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This book explores the various ways in which psychology can be considered a science. The author begins his arguments through a number of probing questions such as 'what is science?" In an attempt to dissect concepts further, the author shades light on what makes a discipline a science and follows that with what a good or bad science is. Karl Popper's definition of science forms the background basis in which the author bases his arguments. In part, it is argued that psychological aspects of observation and knowledge do not grow out of an unprejudiced source but originates from some theory. Scientific inquiries also do the same. Theories like psychoanalysis, relativity, and Marxism are explored in detail to justify the scientific aspects of psychology. The author's objectivity is showcased through the presentation of criticisms leveled on psychology by some scholars with regards to whether or not it is a science. The point of convergence that exists between psychology and other disciplines like philosophy is discussed making this source a diverse source of information. The credibility of this source can be derived from its unbiased and candid approach to issues which render psychology a science. The deep scope in with which facts are presented makes this source reliable.

Lilienfeld, S. (2012). Is psychology a science?. [online] The Conversation. Available at: https://theconversation.com/is-psychology-a-science-10126 [Accessed 20 Feb. 2018].

Like many other psychologists besieged by criticisms as to whether or not psychology is a science, Lilienfeld (2012) takes a probing journey dissecting certain factors to prove why psychology is a science. He begins by stating the myriad challenges that psychologists have suffered as a result of these criticisms. The arguments carefully take into consideration a plethora of credible sources and studies which shows how certain aspects of psychotherapy are scientific (L'Abate, 2014). Even though such criticisms are recognized, this article discredits some as misguided and exaggerated. To prove his point, the author asserts that modern psychology uses scientific methods such as measurement, statistical methods, and data collection among others to undertake inquiries. The author discusses the scientific relevance of psychological concepts like psychotherapy and psychopathology to add muscle to his arguments. The application of psychology to analyze mental processes, with the aid of other sub-disciplines, underlines why psychology is a science. The scientific facet of psychology is becoming more clear as psychological outcomes are increasingly becoming more robust. The credibility of this source hinges on the fact that the author is a psychologist who has done some research and is teaching the subject at a university in Manchester, UK.

McLeod, S. (2008). Psychology as a Science | Simply Psychology. [online] Simply Psychology. Available at: https://www.simplypsychology.org/science-psychology.html [Accessed 20 Feb. 2018].

This article focuses on the empirical approach that science uses in a quest to justify knowledge. The author goes lengths to discuss John Locke's empiricism as a foundation of knowledge through senses. Even though rationalism is not disregarded, the article points out that empiricism, also used in psychology, inspired the development of Chemistry and Physics in both 17th and 18th centuries. The empirical approach developed a method of inquiry involving experiments and observations to seek not only facts but also evidence. McLeod (2008) explains that the two basic approaches of this method of inquiry are theory and hypotheses, as well as the actual inquiry methods that involve observations and experiments. The key features of science are also discussed showing how the same applies to psychology. Importantly, and as a way to quantify the reasons why psychology has faced criticisms, the author provides historical linkages and the reasons why psychology took a back seat in the consideration as a science. The author also recognizes that psychoanalysis is a scientific approach as it is based on a theory that can be hypothesized and scientifically tested. The author critically addresses a multidiscipline issue and citing other works to support his argument, making this a reliable and trusted source.

Koch, S. and Leary, D. (1992). A century of psychology as science. Washington: American Psychological Association.

Koch and Leary (1992) open a perspective which explores the scientific nature of psychology. In this book, the authors present the Leipzig laboratory establishment as well as the history of this kind of establishment. Explained here mainly, are the views that measurements, hypotheses testing as well as observation applied in the discipline of psychology makes it a science. The prospects of the discipline are noted and backed up by well-documented evidence. The constraints that psychology has faced on its journey and development are also discussed as well as the influence of other disciplines like neuroscience. Experimental psychoanalysis has formed the basis of issues and field presented in this book. It aims to address multiple viewpoints and analytic attack then later cementing the authors' position on why the historical assessment back psychology as a modern-day science. Readers will find interventionistic methods of analyzing evidence derived from various founders of this discipline. The book does not appear to be a history of scientific psychology but rather a current stand on whether or not psychology is a science. This is a credible source as it presents the works of many researchers and psychologists who contributed to this incredible masterpiece, and justifies why it was adopted by the American Psychological Association for presentation in a scientific symposium.

Carroll, J. (1997). Human-computer interaction: psychology as a science of design. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 46(4), pp.501-522

Carroll (1997) presents in this article, the aspect and contribution of psychology in the in the field of artificial intelligence. The representation of psychology in this scientific field is done in this article through human-computer interaction (HCI) which serves as a point of intersection between social sciences and psychology. Other scientific disciplines that work in collaboration with psychology here include computer science and engineering which also incorporates technology. The researchers designed user interface technologies using HCI basing their scientific designs on psychology. The technological development processes such as task analysis and design rationale are developed to evaluate the application of new technologies. The computer systems and applications take the integration of HCI, a model that is designed which psychological capabilities. The key domains in this study include not only the cognitive domains but also the psychomotor which are all psychological concepts. In this article, the author indicates how psychology as a science can be very useful in advancing technological development. The readers of this article will note that this discipline acts as a science and therefore should be treated as so.

Livesey, C. (2015). Revise Psychology: Is Psychology a Science?. [video] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sCSnRRzHEs [Accessed 21 Feb. 2018].

In this video, the Livesey (2015) explains what psychology does regarding human thoughts and behaviors. The beginning of understanding psychology as a science is first having a great understanding of the characteristics that make science. Science is associated with an objectivity which goes beyond the researcher's feelings, opinions and biases. The scientific method is objective and therefore represents one of the core ways in which knowledge is being produced. Measurement, causation, and correlation are some of the basic features of science and are all present in psychology. These characteristics give reliability and predictability to science and psychology. One of the interesting insights that Livesey (2015) brings is the fact that science and truth are completely different things. While truth can stand today, tomorrow it can be falsified with new research and a set of data accompanied by informed explanations. Notably, the question as to why psychology is a science is not an easy one and will depend on the research task at hand. The best way to approach this issue is through presenting psychologically proven experiments that derive from science because some scenarios might not exhibit the features of what makes something science.

Reference List

CARROLL, J. (1997). Human-computer interaction: psychology as a science of design. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 46(4), pp.501-522.

DIENES, Z. (2008). Understanding psychology as a science an introduction to scientific and statistical inference. New York, Palgrave Macmillan. http://lib.myilibrary.com?id=977098.

Koch, S. and Leary, D. (1992). A century of psychology as science. Washington: American Psychological Association.

L'Abate, L. (2014). Clinical psychology and psychotherapy as a science. [Place of publication not identified]: Springer.

Livesey, C. (2015). Revise Psychology: Is Psychology a Science?. [video] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sCSnRRzHEs [Accessed 21 Feb. 2018].

Lilienfeld, S. (2012). Is psychology a science?. [online] The Conversation. Available at: https://theconversation.com/is-psychology-a-science-10126 [Accessed 20 Feb. 2018].

McLeod, S. (2008). Psychology as a Science | Simply Psychology. [online] Simply Psychology. Available at: https://www.simplypsychology.org/science-psychology.html [Accessed 20 Feb. 2018].