The Nature Of Psychology As A Discipline - 1714 Words

In the media we often encounter rather unfavourable portrayals of psychology, which characterize it as a â€Å"soft†, intuitive subject. It receives a lot of criticism for failing to precisely test and predict the examined phenomena. Psychology is falsely perceived by many as the pure study of the abstract, metaphysical â€Å"mind†. The ambiguity of the concept makes any scientific investigation of human behaviour questionable. However, this belief is a misconception. Although there are aspects of human behaviour that limit the systematic approach, there are no implications that it is entirely inappropriate or impractical. In reality, psychologists widely employ scientific methodology in search for new knowledge and confirmation of existing theory. This essay will explore the debate on the nature of psychology as a discipline by examining its multiple paradigms and the applicability of the systematised method to the study of human behaviour. What makes a field or discipline scientific? Philosophers and scrutinisers have offered multiple criteria for defining the scientific nature of study. In the article â€Å"What Separates Science from Non-Science?† Berezow and Hartsfield outline the characteristics of a scientific discipline: clearly defined terminology, quantifiability, highly controlled experimental conditions, reproducibility, and predictability and testability (Berezow Hartsfield, 2012).. It is argued that psychology does not meet all five requirements and therefore cannot beShow MoreRelatedThe Diver810 Words   |  4 Pagesse Nature of Psychology The Diverse Nature of Psychology Christine Woyner PSY 490 September 19, 2011 Edna Foster The Diverse Nature of Psychology The diverse nature of psychology begins with making a difference in a diverse setting. This involves the implementation of critical psychology concepts, subdisciplines and subtopics, motivation, behaviorism, and cognition. Moreover, these subdisciplines and subtopics may be applied to other disciplines in contemporary society. In additionRead MoreEvolution Of Evolutionary Psychology And Culture1151 Words   |  5 Pagesarticle, Sadd (2012) explains the relationship of evolutionary psychology and culture, particularly regarding popular culture. He argues the theory of evolution is widely applicable in multiple disciplines. While evolution theory is essentially biological in nature, it can also give us insight to our culture, society and human behaviours. According to Sadd, recurrent themes in cultural forms could be explained by evolutionary psychology. He uses example of song lyrics and collective wisdom to demonstrateRead MoreThe Diverse Nature Of Psychology1157 Words   |  5 Pages The Diversity Nature of Psychology Anna Van Norton PSY/490 June 29, 2015 Dr. Edna Foster The Diverse Nature of Psychology Psychology is a diverse area of study; it is not an easy task. The field of psychology is so diverse and is always changing and evolving. Because of the always expanding of nature, there is not just only one theory that can explain and answer all of the questions that are associated with psychology. Psychology has always been defined by its diversity. It is theRead MoreThe Diverse Nature Of Psychology1200 Words   |  5 Pages The Diverse Nature of Psychology Name Institution The Diverse Nature of Psychology Introduction Psychology consists of a wide collection of diverse concepts, which influence its precise nature that includes the study of behavior and mind in different organisms. Ideally, these organisms range from the most complex to the most primitive. In essence, diversity involves recognizing the variability of characteristics, which make people unique such as their physical appearance, partnered/maritalRead MoreWhat Are Some Psychologists?1597 Words   |  7 Pagesact as critical evaluators and clarifiers of psychology s ideas and practices, and focus on the process of theorising itself, while other psychologists do not engage in theoretical research at all. Empirical facts are understood in the light of a specific theory, and theory is built from a careful consideration of the facts. Indeed, theory and research are so intertwined that neither can exist without the other, and both are required to see psychology flourish (Sandin, 2006). While this is a generallyRead MoreThe Diverse Nature of Psychology Paper951 Words   |  4 PagesThe Diverse Nature of Psychology Paper Sophia Martinez Psychology 490 Capstone Course in Psychology October 5, 2011 Giselle Gourrier, Ph.D. The Diverse Nature of Psychology Paper Psychology is a discipline that has extensive implications for other areas of science while simultaneously maintaining a narrow concern for the derivation of scientific knowledge about human and non-human behavior (Stanovich, 2010). This paper is concerned with the assessment of two sub-disciplines and sub-topicsRead MoreRationalism vs. Empiricism Essay1573 Words   |  7 Pagesthe rationalist and empiricist schools did not have any relationship to the study of psychology at the time, it has contributed greatly to facilitating the possibility of establishing the discipline of Psychology. This essay will describe the empiricist and rationalist debate, and will relate this debate to the history of psychology. The debate between rationalist and empiricist philosophers looks at the nature of knowledge, and specifically, how we gain this knowledge. Rationalists and empiricistsRead MoreAbnormal Psychology1154 Words   |  5 Pages Abnormal Psychology: The field of abnormal psychology is a scientific discipline that focuses on examining the causes of mental dysfunction or abnormal behavior. Some of the major areas of study in this field include emotional disturbance, psychopathology, mental illness, and maladjustment. This scientific discipline examines abnormal behavior since such actions are expressed due to psychological dysfunction that contains some features of deviance, potential injury, and distress. As various typesRead MorePsychological Analysis On Human Behavior913 Words   |  4 Pagespredict group trends, even when such does not apply to individual cases. A final obstacle that sometimes impedes the correct interpretation of scientific psychological predictions of human behavior is the probability of chance. The role of chance in psychology is often misunderstood. A degree of chance and coincidence play a role in the accuracy of predictions, and for this reason, individual predictions about human behavior are therefore impossible. Therefore it should be strongly affirmed that, â€Å"[c]linicalRead MoreSocial Psychology : Psychological Psychology1658 Words   |  7 Pagessocial psychology, what shapes our attitudes, what do they do, and what is the income of a social psychologist? Social psychology is important because people have gone through depression and anxiety. A social psychology can help one recover from the inside pain. Social psychology is a discipline that uses scientific methods to explain how the brain works, feelings and behavior of individuals are influenced by the actual, imagined or implied presence of other human beings. Social psychology typically