Lecture 1 scientific foundations of psychology

What is philosophy?

Philosophy is the study of fundamental questions about reality, existence, knowledge, values, reason, and the mind. It tries to understand the world through reasoning and critical thinking, not experiments.

What are philosophical assumptions in psychology?

Psychology is built on philosophical ideas like epistemology (how we know what we know), ontology (the nature of reality), and debates like determinism vs free will. These assumptions shape how we study the mind and behaviour.

How can we know anything?

Philosophers question the source of knowledge—whether it comes from reason (rationalism), experience (empiricism), or both. This shaped how psychology developed as a science.

What did Descartes believe about knowledge and the mind?

Descartes believed in dualism: the mind and body are separate. The mind is non-physical, and the body is physical. He famously said "I think, therefore I am." This influenced early psychology's focus on introspection and consciousness.

What is science?

Science is a method of gaining knowledge through systematic observation, experimentation, and evidence-based reasoning. It aims for objectivity, repeatability, and falsifiability.

What is induction in science?

nduction is making general theories from specific observations. For example, seeing many white swans and assuming all swans are white. It's risky because one black swan can disprove it.

What is deduction?

Deduction starts with a theory and makes testable predictions (hypotheses). For example, if caffeine improves memory, then students who drink coffee should remember more.

What is the scientific method?

A step-by-step process: observe, form a hypothesis, test it, analyse results, and revise or repeat. It reduces bias, increases replicability, and builds evidence-based theories.

Does psychology fulfil the criteria of science?

Yes, because its based off empirical evidence