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Britain & the wider world: 1745 -1901
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Psychology
10 Dec 2025
64
3 pages
dua zehra @duazehra
Ever wondered what makes psychology "scientific"? Understanding the core features of science is crucial for evaluating psychological research... Show more
Science isn't just about lab coats and test tubes - it's built on specific principles that make research trustworthy. Objectivity means researchers stay neutral and avoid letting personal bias creep into their work, which is why standardised procedures matter so much.
Empirical methods are the backbone of scientific research. These involve collecting data through direct observation or measurable experience, like controlled lab experiments. This is why interviews and case studies aren't considered fully objective - they rely too heavily on personal interpretation rather than hard, measurable data.
Replicability is absolutely essential for any scientific claim. If another researcher can't repeat your study using the same standardised procedure and get similar results, your findings become questionable. Lab experiments shine here because they use controlled settings, unlike qualitative methods that are much harder to replicate exactly.
Quick Check Lab experiments are more replicable than case studies because they use standardised procedures and controlled variables.
Falsifiability is a game-changer in scientific thinking - basically, any worthwhile theory must be testable and potentially provable wrong. This separates real science from unfalsifiable ideas like Freud's unconscious mind, which you simply can't observe or test properly.
Theory construction follows a logical pattern observe something interesting, build a theory to explain it, then create testable predictions. The hypothetico-deductive model takes this further - you generate hypotheses from your theory, test them with empirical data, then refine your theory based on what you discover.
Psychology's scientific status gets complicated when we consider paradigms - the shared assumptions and methods within a field. Unlike established sciences, psychology lacks one agreed-upon paradigm, with biological, cognitive, and other approaches often conflicting.
Paradigm shifts happen when new research completely challenges existing beliefs. Psychology has seen major shifts from psychoanalysis to behaviourism, then to cognitive psychology, showing how scientific thinking evolves.
Remember Maguire's brain imaging study is falsifiable (you can test it), but Freud's theories about the unconscious aren't.
When evaluating whether psychology counts as a proper science, you'll need to weigh up both sides carefully. Psychology definitely ticks some scientific boxes - it uses empirical methods, conducts controlled experiments, and tests hypotheses systematically.
Studies like Maguire's research on London taxi drivers show psychology at its most scientific, using brain imaging and measurable data. However, approaches like humanistic psychology and individual case studies rely heavily on subjective interpretation, making them less falsifiable and harder to replicate.
The reality is that psychology only partially meets scientific criteria. Some areas (like cognitive neuroscience) are highly scientific, whilst others (like psychoanalytic approaches) are much less so. This mixed nature explains why theorists like Kuhn consider psychology a "pre-science" - it hasn't yet settled on a single, unified paradigm.
For your exams, remember that psychology's scientific status isn't black and white. You'll need to discuss both its scientific strengths (objectivity, empirical testing) and limitations (subjectivity in some methods, lack of unified paradigm).
Exam Tip Always give specific examples like Maguire's study (scientific) versus Freud's theories (less scientific) to support your arguments.
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
dua zehra
@duazehra
Ever wondered what makes psychology "scientific"? Understanding the core features of science is crucial for evaluating psychological research and knowing which studies you can actually trust.
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Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Science isn't just about lab coats and test tubes - it's built on specific principles that make research trustworthy. Objectivity means researchers stay neutral and avoid letting personal bias creep into their work, which is why standardised procedures matter so much.
Empirical methods are the backbone of scientific research. These involve collecting data through direct observation or measurable experience, like controlled lab experiments. This is why interviews and case studies aren't considered fully objective - they rely too heavily on personal interpretation rather than hard, measurable data.
Replicability is absolutely essential for any scientific claim. If another researcher can't repeat your study using the same standardised procedure and get similar results, your findings become questionable. Lab experiments shine here because they use controlled settings, unlike qualitative methods that are much harder to replicate exactly.
Quick Check: Lab experiments are more replicable than case studies because they use standardised procedures and controlled variables.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Falsifiability is a game-changer in scientific thinking - basically, any worthwhile theory must be testable and potentially provable wrong. This separates real science from unfalsifiable ideas like Freud's unconscious mind, which you simply can't observe or test properly.
Theory construction follows a logical pattern: observe something interesting, build a theory to explain it, then create testable predictions. The hypothetico-deductive model takes this further - you generate hypotheses from your theory, test them with empirical data, then refine your theory based on what you discover.
Psychology's scientific status gets complicated when we consider paradigms - the shared assumptions and methods within a field. Unlike established sciences, psychology lacks one agreed-upon paradigm, with biological, cognitive, and other approaches often conflicting.
Paradigm shifts happen when new research completely challenges existing beliefs. Psychology has seen major shifts from psychoanalysis to behaviourism, then to cognitive psychology, showing how scientific thinking evolves.
Remember: Maguire's brain imaging study is falsifiable (you can test it), but Freud's theories about the unconscious aren't.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
When evaluating whether psychology counts as a proper science, you'll need to weigh up both sides carefully. Psychology definitely ticks some scientific boxes - it uses empirical methods, conducts controlled experiments, and tests hypotheses systematically.
Studies like Maguire's research on London taxi drivers show psychology at its most scientific, using brain imaging and measurable data. However, approaches like humanistic psychology and individual case studies rely heavily on subjective interpretation, making them less falsifiable and harder to replicate.
The reality is that psychology only partially meets scientific criteria. Some areas (like cognitive neuroscience) are highly scientific, whilst others (like psychoanalytic approaches) are much less so. This mixed nature explains why theorists like Kuhn consider psychology a "pre-science" - it hasn't yet settled on a single, unified paradigm.
For your exams, remember that psychology's scientific status isn't black and white. You'll need to discuss both its scientific strengths (objectivity, empirical testing) and limitations (subjectivity in some methods, lack of unified paradigm).
Exam Tip: Always give specific examples like Maguire's study (scientific) versus Freud's theories (less scientific) to support your arguments.
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
0
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Quotes from every main character
English LiteratureApp Store
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Sociology