Scientific Method and Psychology
Scientific Method might work well with all kind of science such as chemistry, biology, and physic. However I think there are limitations to the use of scientific method in psychology. Some of the factor in a psychology experiment might be controlled, but it is close to impossible to keep the reactions or the behaviors under controlled as it is stated many times earlier. When the test subject knew that they are being tested, there reactions will change and they might give inaccurate information to protect themselves. Other factors such as self awareness must also be considered during the experiment as we are concerned with our reaction toward the test subjects as well. If these things are not controlled then the result of the experiment might be altered. Although we are aware of factors that must be controlled, but it is almost impossible to keep these factors constant. This is the reason why scientific method might not work in psychology even though some of its theory might influenced Freud in his experiment.
Scientific Method might work well with all kind of science such as chemistry, biology, and physic. However I think there are limitations to the use of scientific method in psychology. Some of the factor in a psychology experiment might be controlled, but it is close to impossible to keep the reactions or the behaviors under controlled as it is stated many times earlier. When the test subject knew that they are being tested, there reactions will change and they might give inaccurate information to protect themselves. Other factors such as self awareness must also be considered during the experiment as we are concerned with our reaction toward the test subjects as well. If these things are not controlled then the result of the experiment might be altered. Although we are aware of factors that must be controlled, but it is almost impossible to keep these factors constant. This is the reason why scientific method might not work in psychology even though some of its theory might influenced Freud in his experiment.
posted by Poxxy@SCHOOL at 6:09 PM
9 Comments:
Great summary! I agree that the scientific method CAN and CAN NOT be used with psychology, as you have stated.
I think your best idea is about how our reactions, behaviors, and ideas change according to each situation, and that the scientific method could not work as the only approach to understanding psychology.
I agree with you that we might not be able to use scientific methods in studying psychology. It's a very hard thing to do.
Yes, I agree. The human reaction can't really be predicted accurately, even with very advanced technology.
yes i totally agree with you. not everything in this world has to be proved scientifically. great summary
I agree that there is too many variable to actually create a perfect experiment. People are not like elements. People can change, react differently, and be biased toward an experiment. As a result, even with large amounts of data the result is still varied. Psychology to me is still a science. However unlike physics, psychological experiment have to be conducted with all the possible variables controlled.
psychology depends on the participant, the results varies. and yes! i agree that scientific methods can or cannot be use in some cases, it has its limits~
I agree with your point that test subjects change their reaction when they know they are being watched and i agree with the importance of how patients provide inaccurate information. The brain tends to create fantasies and change reality.
Yeah, I agree. Anyway, how on Earth will you be able to control the person's behavior the whole time? No way can scientific method works so smoothly in psychology the same as in chemistry, physics or biology, because the ones being test are not like fe or cu; they're not like the plants; they are not like heat or energy, but they're human beings. So, I agree that people can't control the behavior of other people to be tested for, therefore, made it difficult to do experiment.
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