Psychology of the Scientist: LX. Relation of Training about Science to Preference for Objective Psychology

Abstract

Correlational data suggest that knowledge of the aim, methods, and limitations of science helps students to adopt a more scientific or objective approach to the study of human nature. The total sample of 444 undergraduates included majors in Psychology, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, and preprofessional programs. The advanced students scored higher than beginning students for Science Knowledge and Objective Psychology. Advanced Psychology majors, plus Philosophy majors who took a Philosophy of Science course, scored higher than other advanced students on both measures. Curriculum differences seem to explain this finding.