Psychology and the Scientific Method

The difference   between  scientific  and  "popular"  Psychology 

is  not  a difference in  the  field  of  study [human behavior] but a  difference  between knowledge 

obtained   through  scientific

  methods, and  a  set   of   beliefs  based  upon   uncontrolled  

experiences, guesses  and superstitions.

As a  science, Psychology  is a  body  of  knowledge held  together  &  made  meaningful  through 

principles  &  laws.

Psychology  is a science  because it  makes  use  of  appropriate methods  by  analyzing  behavior  according to the rules and  procedures  of the 

scientific method which include:

Psychology  as a Science

• raising a question   and  selecting  a  problem, putting  forth hypotheses as  a tentative  answer to  the problem,

• making a  series  of systematic observations  in  order 

to  obtain  the  necessary facts and  data,

• organizing and  interpreting the  data in order  to solve  the  problem, answer the  questions, and  eventually

• bring  up new problems.

It makes  use of  these  methods  in an appropriate  attitude.

The  scientific  worker  approaches  the  facts  as they are, and not  as he  would  like them  to be according  to his wishes  and  preconceptions.  This  means  that  he  is trained  to be impersonal  and objective in his search  for the  truth.