“Is Psychology a Science?”

“Is Psychology A Science?”
PSY 101

There seem to be two ways to look at psychology. Some experts and scholars claim that psychology is without question a science. There are also those that argue it is not an exact science, but rather concepts of common sense in a well arranged package. In this essay, I will attempt to argue both sides of the debate and conclude with my own stance on this hotly contested issue. Psychology can be defined as the scientific study of the human mind and it’s functions, especially those affecting behavior in a given context. And in order to understand the human mind better, psychologists practice scientific method. The same scientific methods that are employed in so called “hard” sciences such as chemistry, physics, and biology. Scientific method includes the properties of theorizing (a coherent group of tested general propositions); hypothesizing (an assumption or concession made for the sake of argument); testing (or experimenting), and replicating (meaning the experiment and results can be repeated by other professionals). Psychologists also must define variables; this is a crucial step in psychological research. Variables are elements that may change over the course of research. The notion of variables goes back to the tables of numbers used by staticians before the introduction of modern psychology. Others argue that psychology is not a science. Some do not believe that it should be considered a science because we do not know enough about the human mind to accurately to prove or disprove theories and hypotheses. Others have argued that psychology is not a science because early psychologists such as Karl Jung and Sigmund Freud were not scientists. It also depends on the field of psychology. Neuropsychology and other divisions of clinical psychology are not usually denied their status in the scientific realm. But, social psychology has been debated for ages because results can be influenced by such a large number of uncontrolled variables. Results from questionnaires, interviews and surveys can be manipulated if the subject is not honest, and there isn’t always a way to test the honesty and integrity of the answers a researcher may get by using these methods. Science is knowledge gained by systematic study. It can be defined as “a branch of knowledge dealing with a body of facts or truths systematically arranged and showing the operation of general laws” (Random House Dictionary, 2011). In psychology, an expert would start by asking questions about human behavior and gather information and research before setting out to find the answer or come to a conclusion. They then test their theories and findings and make them public so others may replicate them. This follows the general rules of other “hard” sciences. Therefore, I believe psychology is indubitably a science. Psychologist must observe and record behavior, sometimes again and again, there is simply no room for guessing. Theories can be tested by others in the profession and be proven to be true or false and eve argued, but publishing guesses and pure opinion is simply unacceptable. Psychology is a young science, but that does not mean we should rob this important field of study of its validity and well-earned function in the scientific arena. It has served us all too well to be reduced to a matter of common sense. Psychology has helped people live healthier, longer, happier lives all because of hard academic work and scientific application.