
Should Psychology Be a Science?
Pros and Cons
Jock Abra(Author)
Praeger Publishers Inc
Published on 30. March 1998
Book
Hardback
272 pages
978-0-275-95476-5 (ISBN)
Description
The past century has seen many changes in the study of psychology. One of those major changes was the adoption of scientific principles to define and build the discipline of psychology. These principles were manifested in the discipline's method of investigation and subject matter. For many, this constituted a revolution in the study of psychology. This work examines the results of this revolution and asks whether it has been beneficial.
The author explains how the psychology-science union came about and examines the positive and negative results. He then describes the major characteristics of science (empiricism, generalization, hypotheses, theories, and models, analysis, reductionism, and determinism), explaining how each principle was utilized in regard to psychology. Dr. Abra also includes information on psychology's most eminent authorities who have fundamentally influenced its directions.
The author explains how the psychology-science union came about and examines the positive and negative results. He then describes the major characteristics of science (empiricism, generalization, hypotheses, theories, and models, analysis, reductionism, and determinism), explaining how each principle was utilized in regard to psychology. Dr. Abra also includes information on psychology's most eminent authorities who have fundamentally influenced its directions.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Interest Age: From 7 to 17 years
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
570 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-275-95476-5 (9780275954765)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
JOCK ABRA is Professor of Psychology at the University of Calgary.
Content
Introduction The Empirical Rule The Dark Side of Empiricism Generalization Generalization: Some Disclaimers Determinism in Science Psychological Determinism: Problems and Alternatives Analysis and Reductionism Conceptual Devices Conclusion and Epilogue References Name Index Subject Index