Question

Psychology is defined as a science but it falls under "social sciences". What this means is that is studies humans and society. Psychology uses empirical methods to research and study behavior, humans, the mind, etc. If psychology did not use these methods, could it still be considered a science?

Answer 1

The key features of science such as, empirical evidence, objectivity, control hypothesis testing, replication and predictability are followed by the branch psychology. Psychology is a branch of science mainly because it follows empirical methods. It is this emphasis on the empirically observable that it made necessary for psychology to consider as a science by changing the definition from study of mind to the science of behavior. In other means, looking into the roots of psychology, psychology has two roots which is biology and philosophy. These biological roots also stand with the evidence for psychology as science. If psychology did not use these methods and still follows the key features of science as mentioned above, psychology should be considered as science and if not , it is to be reanalyzed.