Advantages of Scientific Method

·        The nature of science in general

·        Historical trends in psychological enquiry

·        Variety of quantitative and qualitative methods

·        Examples of established research 

·         Real truth understood

·         Reliability, objectivity and predictability 

·         Data is not affected by the researcher

·         Systematic collection

·         Creates valid data

·         E.g. Gardener and Gardener, 3 observations 

·         Aim is to test hypotheses by falsifying them

·         It is not possible to prove anything right

·         E.g. Freud homosexuality 

·         Standardised measure

·         This demonstrates validity of any observation

·         Affirms truth 

·         Lab experiments give ultimate control

·         Permits replication

·         IV causes a direct measurable effect

·         Cause and effect

Milgram, Loftus and Palmer

·         Shift in beliefs to facts

·         Data is falsifiable

·         Freud to lab studies

·         Homosexuality example