Psychology is a scientific field that studies behavior. It possesses a body of facts supported by principles and laws, emphasizes searching for truth through objective investigation and controlled experiments, and helps predict future developments by applying theories. However, psychology is not perfectly objective like natural sciences due to studying dynamic and unpredictable human behavior. Therefore, psychology is considered a "developing positive science" rather than a fully developed positive science like physics or chemistry.

2. NATURE OF PSYCHOLOGY
By
Imran Niazi
Subject Specialist
GCET Mianwali

3. NATURE OF PSYCHOLOGY
 It is an accepted reality that the nature of
psychology is quite scientific, as the definition of
psychology is “the scientific study of behavior or
science of behavior”.
 Let’s try to analyze why psychology should be
called a science?
In general we may term a subject scientific, if it :
(1) Possesses a body of fact which can be supported
through universal laws and principles.
Psychology possesses a well- organized theory
which is supported by relevant psychological laws &
principles.

4. NATURE OF PSYCHOLOGY
(2) Emphasizes the search for truth.
Psychology also emphasizes on it.
(3) Does not believe in hear & say or stereotypes.
Psychology also has got rid from study of soul,
study of mind & study of consciousness definitions,
which were not possible to explain and not possible
to open for experiences.
(4) Believes in cause and effect relationship.
Psychology also believes that every behavior has
its root and factor causing or influencing.

5. NATURE OF PSYCHOLOGY
(5) Adopts the methods of objective investigation,
systematic and controlled observation and scientific
approach.
In psychology also all method and techniques are quite
scientific. Steps like
 Analysis of behavior
 Formulation of hypothesis,
 Objective observation,
 Controlled experimentation,
 Deduction,
 Verification and generalization of results etc
provide the solid base for the scientific method and
approach in psychology.

6. NATURE OF PSYCHOLOGY
(6) Helps in predicting future development.
Psychology also helps to predict future
developments.
(7) Is able to turn its theory into practice by having an
applied aspect.
Psychology is also able to do this in the shape of
educational psychology, clinical psychology,
industrial psychology, legal psychology etc.
So
On the bases of above comparison, it is cleared
that psychology qualifies as a science. So its nature
is quite scientific and not philosophical.

7. BUT IF PSYCHOLOGY IS SCIENCE THEN WHAT
KIND OF SCIENCE?
 We can divide all kind of science in to two broad
categories:
The positive
The normative
 All physical and life sciences are termed as positive
sciences.
 While subjects like logic, philosophy and ethics are
included in the category of normative science
The question that arise is can we equate psychology the
science of behavior with the positive science like
physics, chemistry, botany, zoology & math?
The answer is “NO”.
In comparison to these sciences psychology is not
perfect.

8.  In fact it is a behavioral science which deals with
the behavior of an individual of an organism.
 This behavior is quite dynamics and unpredictable.
 Methods of study are also not as absolute and
objectives as the adopted by the other natural
sciences.
So we cannot place psychology in the same
category as the physical and natural sciences. Thus
may be called developing positive science. Rather
than developed positive science so we can define
psychology as a
“Developing positive science of behavior”