The Role of Science in Psychology

The word Science comes from the Latin word "scientia" which means knowledge. The term science refers to a system of acquiring knowledge by using observation and experimentation to describe and explain natural phenomena.

Common scene according to Merriam Webster is the beliefs or proposition that most people consider prudent and sound judgment, without reliance on esoteric knowledge or study or research, but based on what they see as knowledge held by people in common.

Science plays a significant role in psychology and is more applicable because it applies the five scientific methods (observation/research, hypothesis, prediction, experimentation and conclusion) when doing research. The scientific method is a logical and rational order of steps that scientists use to form conclusion about the world around them. This method also helps to organize their thoughts and procedures so that they can be confident in the answers they find after completing their research.

The observation is done first so that psychologist knows how they want to go about their research. The hypothesis is the answer they think they will find. The prediction is their specific belief about the scientific idea: if my hypothesis is true, then I will predict what I will discover. The experiment is the tool that they invent to answer the question and finally the conclusion is the answer that the experiment gives.

In regards to common sense I do not believe it is more applicable in psychology. Psychology is the science of behavior and mental processes, while common sense is viewed as personal intuition or guts feeling and is based on one's own view as knowledge held by others around them.

With that said my question to you is, what do you understand reliability and validity to mean?

Reliability to my understanding is the extent to which psychologist test and research methods can be easily repeated and yield the same results. The same exact results may not be obtained each time because participants and situation may vary; however a positive correlation between the results of the same test will prove its reliability. Validity on the other hand, refers to accuracy of research techniques use to measures what is claimed by psychologist in reference to behavior.

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