The Psychology 's Credibility And Usefulness

There has been a lot of debate about whether psychology is considered a science or not. According to the article, “ Is Psychology a “real” science? Does it really matter” by Ashutosh Jogalekar, comes to the conclusion that psychology is not a real science, however I disagree. Jogalekar brings up the facts that psychology does not meet the requirements for it to be considered a scientific field. The requirements that he lists are, “clearly defined terminology, quantifiability, highly controlled experimental conditions, reproducibility, and predictability and testability”, (Jogalekar, 2013). The article explains why this field does not meet the requirements, however there is evidence that psychology does.

However, Gauthier & Tarr and Diamond & Carey’s methodologies have come under much criticism especially from Robbins and McKone. Robbins and McKone argue that they have found major flaws in the expert hypothesis. The differing views of these psychologists are outlined in fiery academic exchanges (Robbins & McKone 2007), (McKone & Robbins, 2007), (Gauthier & Baukach, 2007). As a

One of the greatest dangers to scientific studies is the "confirmation bias". When a researcher is trying to collect documents and publications for what is studying or analyzing, it is very likely that only see, or just to notice what "it suits" for what he wants to prove. Moreover, even almost unconsciously, it is liable to see more quickly connections with other publications that seem to corroborate their investigations. Unfortunately, this "confirmation bias" affects not only scientific studies. It concerns us all. In today's article, I intend to show by example how to detect this phenomenon and some techniques to try to avoid it.

The field of psychology is steadily expanding due to the progression in technology, which is being driven by the advancement of civilization. More and more time is spent on the internet, which has gradually altered the method in which primary communication takes place. Previously face-to-face interaction was touted as the primary method of interfacing with one another, now communication via the internet is almost mandatory to establish and maintain healthy relationships (Greenfield and Yan, 2006). This is especially true amongst children, adolescents and teenagers. The need for psychologists have never been greater in order to assess how individuals are able to acclimate to this societal change. Traditionally, there are two methods in which children, adolescents and teenagers communicate via the internet, through social media and video games. Each primary method presents their own unique social challenge. In response to the issues in of teenagers over use of the internet, psychologists are providing assistance for internet addictions at a greater rate. The first method utilized by mental health professionals is traditionally counseling and if those efforts fail, then the potential exists for adolescents to be placed on medications.

1. Empiricism states that knowledge can only be derived from the senses. Every science utilizes the empirical approach, which has developed into the utilization of the scientific method to gain knowledge. (McLeod, 2008) Since psychology depends on the scientific method to attain knowledge, psychology can conclusively be considered a science. Besides empirical evidence, some other key traits of a science are the following: objectivity, control, predictability, hypothesis testing, and replication. (McLeod, 2008) Psychology ensures objectivity via single-, double-, and triple-blind experiments. Causation can only be confirmed in psychology through an experiment where all variables (besides the independent

(n.d.). Bias in research. The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Retrieved from http://familymed.uthscsa.edu/facultydevelopment/ elearning/biasinresearch.htm

It is expected that science should give objective and reasonable explanations for any phenomena. However, every treatise is the result of thorough work of a scholar and obviously contains someone’s personal opinion, in other words, bias. Bias in general is described as the influence of one’s beliefs and attitudes on his actions and decisions (Greenwald & Krieger, 2006; Staats, 2016). The question is for what purpose is it done and how does it influence people’s perceptions?

According to Holman, Lanfear, Head, and Jennions (2015) “scientific progress rests on reliable data, yet data collection is often subjective. Subjectivity can create biases, many of which derive from cognitive and sensory biases common to us all” (p. 1). They agree with Nickerson (1998) that “confirmation bias ensures that we preferentially detect, focus on, and recall outcomes that confirm our beliefs” (Holman, Lanfear, Head, and Jennions, 2015, p. 1). Due to this, when scientists research a subject they interpret the results through the eyes of their opinions. Holman et al (2015) asserts that this bias affects not just the data collection, but the study as a whole (p. 1). For example, in the case of medication testing, an experimenter may

Authored by Keith E. Stanovich, How to Think Straight About Psychology is a known work of the psychology world which was published in 1986. Beginning courses in psychology use his text frequently. Stanovich primary purpose for writing the text is to bring attention to his observation that the public’s understanding of psychology is different from psychology as a modern science. Psychology as a modern science explains the underlying functions that shape human attitudes and behavior. To the people who misunderstand this, the field of psychology is not a real science, but a pseudo-science instead. How to Think Straight About Psychology describes people’s several false impressions of psychology and it gives its readers a factual understanding of the field as a modern and scientific psychology while explaining how this science works.

What captivated my interest in working within the field of psychology was the joy and sense of accomplishment after aiding another individual in need. Since high school I have been involved in volunteer work assisting individuals by helping them acquire new skills, or becoming a friendly mentor. Throughout the years I learned how to observe others, as in discovering how different a person may react to a certain situation, to how they interact within their social groups. Since my volunteer work in high school, I went forth in taking up clinical psychology courses throughout my college career and also acquired a summer job that let me expand and learn more outside of the classroom, which then proven to me again that I love the psychology filed in helping people.

An ongoing debate continues in the academic and scientific world of psychology in regards to the measurement of hypotheses, theories, and phenomenon. For the researcher, the argument is worrisome as well as tedious in nature. Most have the desire for the greatest statisticians to arrive at a consensus or standard, and allow the remainder to return to research business as usual. Very few if any researchers enjoy, comprehend, or desire to be knee deep in what a p value really means, other than the significance of the effect is less than .05. A statistically significant result allows for a positive hypothesis and a possible publication. However, an honest interpretation of statistical data would be more apt to produce a flawed literary publication that could be less than accurate. For this reason, psychology implores replication as the gold standard for research results. Reliability and validity are the foundational aspects of psychological science; without replication, there is little evidence to support the construct tested. Statistically speaking, results from research must be available and “empirically evaluated to determine their merit” (Thomas & Hersen, 2011, p. 9). Thus, when new measures of statistical inference are used, the same evaluative process is applied. An example opined from Iverson, Wagenmakers, and Lee (2010) offer a paradoxical example applied to a new statistic that could not stand up to the scientific muster of replication.

It is common to not completely understand the difference between psychiatry and psychology. To clear up the confusion, psychology is the study of the functions of the human brain, while psychiatry is the study and diagnosis of mental disorders. Mental disorders are “a clinically significant behavioral or psychological syndrome or pattern that occurs in an individual and that is associated with present distress or disability or with a significantly increased risk of suffering death, pain, disability, or an important loss of freedom” (The New Definition of a Mental Disorder). With this knowledge given and the stereotypes that is often prevailed, (Some examples of said stereotypes are that a psychiatrist would

Psychology has no definite, absolute beginning, but there is speculation that early humans were curious about human nature. Serious study of the human psyche began in ancient times, with ancient philosophers began to record their findings and thoughts about behavior and the nature of the human mind. The name ‘psychology ' is from the two Greek roots, psyche and logos, which mean "mind" and "study," respectively. Psychological thought was most influenced by three very well known ancient philosophers, Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Socrates ' maxim was "know thyself," which was an idea that accentuated the importance of personal reflection and self-examination. "He

Psychology is often misconstrued as a form of diagnostic and treatment only for individuals who have mental or emotional problems. However, this is just one form of psychology. The online general psychology course at South University introduces the student to a more accurate notion of psychology. The following essay will provide an overview of the material learned on the first two weeks of the online class. As such, the reader will have a better understanding of psychology; its historical development and impact in modern psychology; and how the scientific research applies in psychology.

Psychology enables us to better understand, explain and predict human behaviour, emotions and mental processes therefore defining psychology as the scientific study of behaviour. Psychologists seek to collect data through observations, laboratory experiments, thematic analysis etc which enables researchers to gain knowledge about our behaviour and to make appropriate conclusions. This essay will seek to evaluate how psychology has become scientific over time, in particular looking at how psychology was scientific during the 1870’s and in present time. The major psychologists relevant to this essay are Wunt, James, Pavlov, Piaget and Baddeley focusing on their role to making psychology a science. Finally, this essay will also seek to describe Newton’s influence on psychology.