The use of the scientific method in Psychology
A2 Psychology
Psychologists, like all scientists, use the Scientific Method to produce valid explanations of the world around them.
This method has both advantages and disadvantages.
Introduction
The Scientific process starts with observations of phenomena in the world.
In the Inductive Model this then leads to the developments of hypotheses.
Hypotheses are tested which may lead to new questions and new hypotheses.
Eventually such data may be used to construct a theory.
The Deductive Model theory construction at the beginning of the process, after making observations.
The Scientific Method
Scientific methodMake Observations
Theory
Life emerges from non-
living matter
Hypothesis
Mice emerge from dirty
socks
Experiment
Place dirty socks in a
glass jar for a few days
No mice!!!!
Reject the theory
Inductive process
Deductive process
Example: the spontaneous generation
theory
Referring back to the definition of ‘Scientific’, any research can be considered scientific as long as it collects data in an objective, controlled manner.
The following research methods have been put in order of how scientific they are considered to be.
Lab Experiments Field Experiments Natural Experiments Interviews/Questionnaires Observations
Scientific Method
The left picture is a burger from McDonalds. Or it is at least what you are led to expect you will get.
What about reality? You may think you know something but unless you test this
empirically you cannot know if it is true.
The right picture is the empirical evidence of what the burgers are really like.
Advantages – The Scientific Method is Empirical
So what is Empirical Data? Empirical data is information gained through direct
observation or experiment rather than reasoned argument or unfounded beliefs.
The Scientific aims to collect the facts.
Why is this an advantage? People can make claims about the truth of a theory or the
benefits of a treatment but the only way we know such things are true is through empirical evidence.
Advantages – The Scientific Method is Empirical
An important aspect of empirical data is that they are objective.
What does this mean?
That the data is not affected by the expectations of the researcher.
Systematic collection of measurable data is at the heart of the method.
Advantages – The Scientific Method is Objective
How would an experimenter allow for greater objectivity?
Usually via standardised procedures and instructions.
Why is this an advantage?
Without objectivity we have no way of being certain that data collected is valid.
Advantages – The Scientific Method is Objective
The aim of the Scientific Method is to test hypotheses by falsifying them.
i.e. rejecting a null hypothesis.
Why is this an advantage?
Because it is not possible to prove a hypothesis correct but you can prove it is wrong.
i.e. falsify it. “no amount of observations of white swans can allow the
inference that all swans are white, but the observation of a single black swan is sufficient to refute that conclusion”
Advantages – The Scientific Method is Falsifiable
The ideal form of the scientific method is a lab experiment because is enables the researcher causal relationships.
What is a causal relationship?
Showing cause and effect.
The experimental method is the only way to do this – where we vary one factor (independent variable) and
observe it’s effects on the a dependent variable.
Advantages – The Scientific Method is controlled.
In order for this to be a ‘fair test’ all other conditions must be controlled, and the best place for this is in a lab setting.
What are extraneous variables?
Any other variables apart from the IV that could in truth affect the DV.
Why is this an advantage? If we can’t demonstrate causal relationships then we can’t
be sure, for example, a person’s anxiety was reduced by the drug used.
Advantages – The Scientific Method is controlled.
Scientists record their methods and standardise them carefully so that the same procedures can be followed in the future.
i.e. replicated.
Why is this an advantage? Repeating a study is the most important way to
demonstrate the reliability and validity of an observation or experiment.
If the outcome is the same this affirms the truth of the original results.
Advantages – The Scientific Method permits replication.
In pairs You need to come up with as many advantages for each
study you can think of and relate back to the advantages of the Scientific Approach.
Milgram’s (1963) study on Obedience. Asch’s (1951) study on Conformity. Selye’s (1935) study on Stress Loftus and Palmer’s (1974) study on Eyewitness Testimony. Gibson and Walk’s (1960) study of Depth Perception.
Over To You
APFCC for following studies:- Milgram’s (1963) study on Obedience. Asch’s (1951) study on Conformity. Selye’s (1935) study on Stress Loftus and Palmer’s (1974) study on
Eyewitness Testimony. Gibson and Walk’s (1960) study of Depth
Perception. Gardner and Gardner, Language acquisition
in a chimp.
5 minutes
1. One advantage of the scientific method is that it is objective………..
2. a) Describe how Gardner and Gardner’s study is objective
b) Why does the fact that it is objective make the findings more convincing?
Apply the studies to the advantages of using scientific methods.
1. Another advantage of the scientific method is that it is empirical………
2. a)Describe how Asch’s study is empirical b) Why does that fact that it is empirical make the findings more convincing?
1. Another advantage of the scientific method is that the theories are falsifiable
2. a)Describe how Selye’s research is falsifiable b)Why does this falsifiability make the findings more convincing?
1. Another advantage of the scientific method is that research is replicable
2. a)Describe why Milgram’s research is replicable
b) Why does the fact that the research is replicable make the findings more convincing?
1.Another advantage of the scientific method is that it is controlled i.e lab experiment
2. a) Describe why Loftus and Palmer’s research was controlled
b) Why does the fact that the research is controlled make the evidence more convincing?
Cause and Effect The Scientific Method lets us state that it is the IV causing
changes in the DV.
Quantitative Data This can be collected and then be analysed using
descriptive and inferential statistics tests, which can then be used to prove or disprove a hypothesis.
Participants With Scientific methods, especially lab experiments, you
can choose the participants that best represent your target population.
Other Advantages
Problems include:- Situational variables Participant variables Demand characteristics
Why is this a disadvantage? The observed effects may be due to
variables other than the IV.
Disadvantages –The scientific method may lack internal validity
Ecological validity is a problem when artificial settings are used.
Why is this a disadvantage? Findings cannot be generalised to the real
world phenomena
Disdvantages – The scientific method may lack external validity
Operationalised variables in experiments and behavioural categories in observations reduce the complexity of behaviour.
Why is this a disadvantage? Explanations of behaviour become over-
simplified.
Disadvantage – The scientific method can be reductionist
The nomothetic approaches looks to generalise findings to all people.
Why is this a disadvantage? Uniqueness and difference between
genders, cultures and ages are ignored.
Disadvantages – The scientific method may ignore individual differences
Experimental and observation methods often involve psychological harm and deception which is seen as necessary to maintain scientific rigour.
Why is this a disadvantage? Participants may be harmed Psychology could be brought into disrepute.
Disadvantages – The scientific method raises ethical issues
One disadvantage of the scientific method is that it can lack ecological validity.
A) Why was Loftus and Palmer’s experiment lacking in ecological validity?
B) Why does this make their findings less convincing?
Another disadvantage is that the scientific method could be reductionist
A) Why could Asch’s study of conformity be considered reductionist?
Why does the fact that the study is reductionist make the findings less convincing?
Another disadvantage is that the scientific method can ignore individual difference….
A) Why might Seyles’ research ignore individual differences?
B) Why is this a problem to scientific research?
Another disadvantage of the scientific method is that it can involve ethical issues…
A) How could Milgram’s research be criticised on ethical grounds?
B) Why is this a disadvantage for Milgram’s research?
Investigator affects The scientific method does not acknowledge
that subjectivity of the researcher can affect the results.
Cultural/gender biases A necessity to be able to generalise
scientific findings means that they could be ethnocentric/androcentric.
Other disadvantages
Read through the example essays and highlight and identify the key advantages/disadvantages.
Highlight in a different colour where the person has used examples of research to support their arguments
Highlight in a different colour linking/signpost words used to give the essay good structure.
Example essays
Identify three things that you have learnt/found useful from reading these essays
Examples essays
You are going to complete an essay each by building on the points already made by others. This is how:-
Everyone write an introduction to the question:- Discuss the advantages of using the scientific
method in psychology (15) Write one point including one advantage, reason
why it’s good and an example -pass your essay on. Read the comments already written and write the
next point then pass it on. Do this until we have 5 points. Return the essays to the original writer and mark
them using the handout with the bubbles.
Collaborative essays