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Is Psychology a science?

teenhorrorstory

As above

Reply 1

Synonym

na social science (source sh1tload of my teachers)

Reply 2

chazwomaq

Short answer: it should be, but it isn't always. Many people include nonsense like Freud and qualitative methods in psychology when it should be kicked to be curb and mocked relentlessly.

It's the equivalent of including astrology in astrophysics.

Reply 3

chazwomaq

Original post by Foo.mp3

Yes, it's a social science, as opposed to a hard science

But what is the difference?

Reply 4

Pugglet

its a pseudoscience. I act likes a science but has unscientific properties

Reply 5

chazwomaq

Original post by Foo.mp3

Perceptions relating to method and objectivity e.g. 'soft', social sciences are seen as more wishy. In reality, method/objectivity/statistical certainty upon which theories achieving consensus vary considerably within each sub-domain

Ah, I think I see what you mean. So psychology is perceived as a soft science, but (some of it at least) is actually hard science, is that right? Which bits would you see actually are soft then?

Reply 6

chazwomaq

Original post by Pugglet

I act likes a science but has unscientific properties

Namely?

Reply 7

chazwomaq

Original post by Foo.mp3

The more highly theoretical and interpretive elements, the conjecture (which is, necessarily, rife in the social sciences, as humanity is such a complex and nuanced force)

Thanks. Which elements are you thinking of?

Reply 8

Pugglet

Original post by chazwomaq

Namely?

Lab studies. Very scientific but unlike a science it does not focus on just one causation and outcome. It acknowledges that there may be multiple reasons why something e.g. Depression occurs