... it clear that psychology is not a science. Defining science is not an easy task, yet everyone seems to know what science and its derivatives mean. For this essay science is the observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of phenomena, through objective means (Webster, 1992). There are several aims of science - description, prediction, understanding, and control (Malim, Birch & Wadeley, 1992). Description involves working towards an objective description, or account, of events and phenomena. Personal beliefs, values, or interests should not cloud this description. When enough information is gained about events or phenomena, predictions become possible. Predictions add support and credibility to the knowledge obtained in the description phase, which in turn allows for understanding of the cause and effect relationship. Once understanding of these factors is complete, control is possible. The first problem with psychology is that the psychological theories that underlie research in ...

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