Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

The Scientific Method02:40

The Scientific Method

67.2K
Research is what makes the difference between facts and opinions. Facts are observable realities, and opinions are personal judgments, conclusions, or attitudes that may or may not be accurate. In the scientific community, facts can be established only using evidence collected through empirical research.
67.2K
The Scientific Method01:32

The Scientific Method

275.0K
The scientific method is a detailed, empirical problem-solving process used by biologists and other scientists. This iterative approach involves formulating a question based on observation, developing a testable potential explanation for the observation (called a hypothesis), making and testing predictions based on the hypothesis, and using the findings to create new hypotheses and predictions.
Generally, predictions are tested using carefully-designed experiments. Based on the outcome of these...
275.0K
The Scientific Method03:50

The Scientific Method

71.6K
Chemistry is an empirical science. Scientists often pose questions to understand the chemistry in everyday life and seek answers to these questions. To achieve this, scientists follow a definitive series of steps that together make up the Scientific Method. This approach involves making observations, asking questions, building a hypothesis, conducting experiments, analyzing results, and forming a conclusion. 
71.6K
Psychology as a Science01:13

Psychology as a Science

4.2K
Psychology, as a scientific discipline, aims to understand the mind and behavior through rigorous and systematic methods. The foundation of psychological research is evidence-based, relying heavily on the scientific method to derive and validate knowledge. This structured approach ensures that findings are reliable, valid, and applicable to broader contexts.
The scientific method in psychology involves six critical steps: making observations, formulating hypotheses, conducting tests, analyzing...
4.2K
Scientific Nature of Social Psychology01:30

Scientific Nature of Social Psychology

736
Social psychology is a scientific discipline dedicated to understanding how individuals think, feel, and behave in social contexts. Unlike common sense, which relies on anecdotal experiences and intuition, social psychology employs systematic research and empirical methods to ensure objectivity and reliability. This distinction is fundamental in distinguishing scientifically supported findings from mere speculation.Four fundamental scientific values guide a structured approach to research in...
736
Defining Psychology01:24

Defining Psychology

8.5K
Psychology is the scientific discipline dedicated to understanding both observable behavior and the internal mental processes underlying such behavior. It aims to comprehend human nature and apply this understanding to solve practical problems, enhance well-being, and improve societal outcomes. An example of psychology's application is the study of prosocial behavior, such as why and under what conditions individuals might help strangers in need. This process involves describing observed...
8.5K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Is psychological science progressing? Explained variance in PsycINFO articles during the period 1956 to 2022.

Frontiers in psychology·2023
Same author

Research-based knowledge in psychology: what, if anything, is its incremental value to the practitioner?

Integrative psychological & behavioral science·2014
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 28, 2026

Author Spotlight: A Novel Setup to Conduct Naturalistic Laboratory Experiments with Real Human Actors in Scenarios
07:43

Author Spotlight: A Novel Setup to Conduct Naturalistic Laboratory Experiments with Real Human Actors in Scenarios

Published on: August 4, 2023

2.8K

Why Psychology Cannot be an Empirical Science.

Jan Smedslund1

  • 1University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. jan.smedslund@psykologi.uio.no.

Integrative Psychological & Behavioral Science
|December 30, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Current psychological research methods are flawed, ignoring irreversible processes and complex factors. These limitations, along with small effect sizes, challenge the possibility of an objective, cumulative science of psychology.

Keywords:
Empirical scienceGeneralized human mindInfinite number of factorsIrreversibilityPractical relevanceSocial interactivityThe pseudo-empirical

More Related Videos

A Psychophysics Paradigm for the Collection and Analysis of Similarity Judgments
08:12

A Psychophysics Paradigm for the Collection and Analysis of Similarity Judgments

Published on: March 1, 2022

3.0K
Perspectives on Neuroscience
26:41

Perspectives on Neuroscience

Published on: July 31, 2007

5.4K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 28, 2026

Author Spotlight: A Novel Setup to Conduct Naturalistic Laboratory Experiments with Real Human Actors in Scenarios
07:43

Author Spotlight: A Novel Setup to Conduct Naturalistic Laboratory Experiments with Real Human Actors in Scenarios

Published on: August 4, 2023

2.8K
A Psychophysics Paradigm for the Collection and Analysis of Similarity Judgments
08:12

A Psychophysics Paradigm for the Collection and Analysis of Similarity Judgments

Published on: March 1, 2022

3.0K
Perspectives on Neuroscience
26:41

Perspectives on Neuroscience

Published on: July 31, 2007

5.4K

Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Scientific Methodology

Background:

  • The dominant empirical paradigm in psychological research faces significant criticism.
  • Key issues include the oversight of psychological process irreversibility and the vast number of influential factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically evaluate the foundational assumptions and limitations of the current empirical paradigm in psychology.
  • To explore the methodological implications of social interactivity and pseudo-empirical hypotheses.

Main Methods:

  • Conceptual analysis of existing psychological research practices.
  • Critique of statistical approaches focusing on differences and correlations.

Main Results:

  • The current empirical approach neglects the irreversible nature of psychological phenomena.
  • Many hypotheses in psychology are pseudo-empirical, and social interactivity poses methodological challenges.
  • Observed differences and correlations are often too small for practical application.

Conclusions:

  • The identified limitations collectively suggest that an objective, cumulative, empirical, and theoretical science of psychology may be an unattainable goal.
  • The utility of current psychological findings in practice and daily life is questionable due to small effect sizes.