What Is the Difference Between Psychology and Psychological Science?

Introduction

Psychology and psychological science are two distinct fields of study, yet they are often used interchangeably. This can lead to confusion about the differences between the two disciplines and their respective roles in the scientific community. The purpose of this article is to explore the distinction between psychology and psychological science, and to understand how the two disciplines complement each other.

Exploring the Distinction between Psychology and Psychological Science

To begin, it is important to define the two terms. Psychology is broadly defined as “the scientific study of the mind and behavior” (American Psychological Association, 2020). It is a social science that examines the aspects of human behavior that are shaped by culture, environment, and individual experiences. Psychological science, on the other hand, is “the empirical study of psychological phenomena using the scientific method” (National Academy of Sciences, 2017). In other words, it is a natural science that involves the use of controlled experiments and quantitative data analysis to investigate psychological processes.

The primary difference between psychology and psychological science lies in their respective approaches to studying the mind and behavior. Whereas psychology focuses on understanding the underlying causes of behavior, psychological science seeks to explain and predict behavior by testing hypotheses in a laboratory setting.

An Overview of the Differences between Psychology and Psychological Science

Psychology is typically considered a social science, as it focuses on examining the social, cultural, and environmental influences on behavior. Psychologists use qualitative methods such as interviews and surveys to collect data, which is then analyzed to gain insights into the factors that influence behavior. Common topics of study in psychology include personality, emotions, motivation, learning, development, and mental health.

Psychological science, on the other hand, is usually classified as a natural science. It uses a scientific approach to investigate psychological phenomena, and relies heavily on quantitative methods such as experiments and statistical analyses. Psychological scientists also use sophisticated tools such as fMRI scanners to study brain functions. Common topics of study in psychological science include cognition, perception, memory, decision-making, and language.

Comparing and Contrasting Psychology and Psychological Science

Although there are some similarities between psychology and psychological science, there are also some key differences. For example, both disciplines involve the study of the mind and behavior; however, psychology tends to focus on understanding the underlying causes of behavior, while psychological science is more concerned with explaining and predicting behavior. Additionally, psychologists typically use qualitative methods such as interviews and surveys, while psychological scientists rely heavily on quantitative methods such as experiments and statistical analyses.

Another key difference between the two disciplines is the types of research studies they conduct. Psychological scientists typically conduct controlled experiments in the laboratory, while psychologists often conduct field studies in naturalistic settings. Additionally, psychological scientists often use sophisticated tools such as fMRI scanners to measure brain activity, while psychologists rarely use such technology.

Understanding the Unique Contributions of Psychology and Psychological Science

Despite their differences, both psychology and psychological science offer unique contributions to the scientific community. Psychology provides valuable insights into the social, cultural, and environmental influences on behavior, which can be used to inform public policy decisions and improve people’s lives. Psychological science, on the other hand, offers rigorous empirical evidence for theories of human behavior, which can be used to inform clinical practice and design interventions.

Investigating the Relationship between Psychology and Psychological Science

It is important to note that psychology and psychological science are not mutually exclusive fields of study. Although they have different goals and approaches, they are interdependent disciplines that rely on each other to advance our understanding of the mind and behavior. For example, psychological scientists often draw on psychological theories to design experiments, while psychologists often use the results of psychological science experiments to inform their theories.

In addition, the two disciplines often work together to develop new treatments for mental health disorders. For example, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) was developed by combining psychological theories of learning and behavior with the findings of psychological science experiments (Beck, 1995). This type of collaboration is essential for making progress in the field of mental health.

Conclusion

In conclusion, psychology and psychological science are two distinct fields of study, yet they are closely intertwined. Psychology is a social science that focuses on understanding the underlying causes of behavior, while psychological science is a natural science that investigates psychological phenomena using the scientific method. Both disciplines offer unique contributions to the scientific community, and their combined efforts are essential for advancing our understanding of the mind and behavior.