by Jacob Woods

Created on: September 20, 2010

Science is the systematic study of something. Science approaches items objectively instead of subjectively. Science uses a very distinct system in which scientists create hypotheses based on previous knowledge and observations, predict new outcomes to new stimuli based upon these past observations, test their ideas in controlled settings, interpret the outcomes of their testings, and share with the science community their findings. If they are a good scientist they provide valid unbiased information. If they are a bad scientist they throw out what they don't like in their findings and present highly biased results to their colleagues.

Does this mean that research psychologists are always right with their findings? That would be a complete and udder no. Science is in a continual search to verify previous information. Only through the continual testing of hypotheses and the proper discarding of false information can scientists studying human behavior properly help humans cope with the world around them.

Psychology studies systematically how humans behave. Through the use of surveys, independent and dependent variables, and careful observation research psychologists continually find consistencies with human behaviors in response to similar stimulus. They also find inconsistencies of human behavior in comparison to stimuli and pinpoint what is causing those inconsistencies. These findings are then revisited and either affirmed or discarded by approaching the same subjects with stricter controls in the scientific process.

Just because psychology is a social science does not mean it is not approached scientifically. Just like trying to predict how far a ball weighing 19 pounds will go flung by a catapult with a force of variable B with a frictional resistance of the wind at variable C can only come closer and closer to finding the answer, psychologists try to find the variables that cause certain human behaviors like homosexuality to occur. There are many variables that effect the final outcome. Predicting with one hundred percent accuracy is nearly impossible even with physics. However with more knowledge using the scientific approach scientists become more and more accurate and consistent in their findings.

It is because psychology approaches human behavior with the same method that physics approaches the physical world that makes psychology a science. Though physics is physical and tangible it is the process that defines what is and isn't a science. Scientists don't try to be creative and come up with something new like philosophers, musicians, writers, and artists do. Scientists use previous knowledge to give them a direction to go. When they follow the process they either debunk or prove previous knowledge or by chance come up with new findings. That is what makes psychology scientific.

Learn more about this author, Jacob Woods.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.