Is Psychology a Science?

Is it thePsychologya science? This question opens a debate that informs us about how much we really do not know about Psychology. There are many myths about psychology and the profession of psychologist, and a recurring theme within these topics is the question of whether this discipline can be considered a science, or not.

Many people claim that Psychology is not a science based on misconceptions about what a science really is. It is common in our society that we tend to believe the arguments of a doctor or a chemist, since we consider that his knowledge is specific and we do not possess it; However, knowledge of Psychology is sometimes annoying for many people. Why?

Because perhaps, they do not want their own mental and emotional processes to be partially explained, but prefer to continue to preserve the mystery of the Human nature. Psychology does not try to uncover this mystery. Simply is a science that tries to increase our knowledge about ourselves. To find out if psychology really is a science or not and explain why, we must start with a simple question. What is a science?

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What is a science?

For a field of knowledge to be a science, it must meet two basic factors:

1. Epistemology

In order to be considered a science, it is essential that there is a clear epistemology. That is, it is clearly known about which field you want to increase our knowledge.

2. Scientific method

Another necessary condition for a discipline of knowledge to be considered a science is that it adheres to the scientific method. This is where people who don't understand psychology go wrong. These people do not really know the complexity of the scientific method, its advances, its nature and its variety. We must remember that a science is not an attempt to know the truth or to solve all the mysteries of nature and life, but simply a way (a method) to increase our knowledge. Science asks questions, and for each question it answers, new questions are initiated, until for the original question we find another more suitable answer, and so on infinitely.

This is the case with physics (whose concepts are constantly changing. For example: although today the laws of Isaac Newton, we have known for a long time that they are not totally true, since the theory of relativity of Albert Einstein knew how to question them correctly), with chemistry, with any natural or social science (it is more It is correct to speak of "natural sciences" rather than of "pure sciences", since there are no really purer sciences than others). Physics reflects on the famous chaos theory- Supposedly, physics can predict that if you throw a billiard ball with a certain force and orientation, it will hit a certain target. But not all predictions always come true. Why? Because there are multiple variables that have not been studied, such as the millimeter thickness of the tapestry, which makes the The ball gradually deviates from its predicted course until it enters a succession of events that are not expected.

Finally, the ball ends up elsewhere. Does this mean that physics is not a science? No, it just means that there are no exact sciences, since sciences do not seek accuracy but rather increase our knowledge. The only exact tool that exists is mathematics. A tool that, by the way, is used a lot and with success in Psychology.

What is Psychology? Is it a science?

Psychology is the science that studies human behavior and its cognitive processes and, therefore, has a clear epistemology. However: Does psychology follow the scientific method?

Experimental psychology follows the scientific method as much as physics or chemistry. Other disciplines, such as medicine, are not really science but disciplines, although they have scientific research to support their decisions. Psychology works the same way: it is a science that sometimes acts as a science according to a scientific method to conduct research, and on other occasions, apply that knowledge in the best possible way to accompany people and societies in processes of change. In these applications, results are observed and changes and reflection are valued.

This is what any science would do. Remember that science above all has a humble attitude, of reflection, of questions, of questioning, of openness... at no time does a science believe or aspire to have a absolute truth.

What is the scientific methodology used by Psychology?

Since the human being is very complex and constantly changes and evolves, the study of him becomes very complex. For this reason, Psychology has a great methodological diversity to study the human being. Psychology basically uses the hypothetico-deductive method, like any science. Sometimes, due to the nature of his research, he uses quantitative methodologies (where he uses statistical tools), and in others, it uses qualitative methodologies (interview, discussion groups, etc.). The second case can actually be much more complex than the first.

It is not the role of the researcher or psychologist to draw conclusions about reality, but rather know how to extract facts that can be contrasted and refuted through human experiences. In many universities around the world, professionals who are experts in methodologies are still in demand. qualitative, since its great depth, nature and complexity is very unknown to the world scientific. Perhaps, due to this ignorance, many people are confused and consider that Psychology is not a science.

Work and research on cognitive processes, memory, perception, thought and its heuristics, emotions and their management, biophysiological bases, social structures and their impact on our behaviors, relationships inter and intrapersonal, as well as group, beliefs and attitudes, is complex and psychologists do it with great rigor scientific.

When there are bad results, above all, it is due to the partial interests of the companies or organizations that finance certain research. There are mistakes in psychology, of course, and many psychologists who work with little scientific rigor and quite irresponsible... but as in all sciences. This does not transform Psychology into what it is not. Psychology is, above all, a science, the science that perhaps has the most complex objective of all: understand us.