There are a number of important questions that have been debated throughout the history of psychology. This essay will consider two key issues regarding how psychology is conducted and understood. These issues include the scientific status of psychology and the ethical dilemma of how far should psychologists go in the pursuit of knowledge? To decide whether psychology is a science, we must first define a science. Science constructs and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions of the universe. Science uses a particular methodology, which is objective and provides quantitative data. Data collection uses a standardized approach and is collected under controlled conditions. Science generates theories that lead to clear and testable hypotheses. The findings are expected to produce further research leading to a greater understanding of the topic. Science should also be falsifiable, a concept introduced by Popper in 1969. Psychology is widely recognized as the study of mental processes and behavior and meets many conditions of a science. Psychology establishes a body of knowledge and provides textbooks and journals based on explanations and predictions. Psychology is also an evolving science that provides ongoing research and experiments on both humans and animals, similar to biology. Some of the most famous experiments that contributed to psychology include Pavlov's research with dogs, Milgram's studies on obedience, and Harlow's work with rhesus monkeys. Research in most areas of psychology is conducted in accordance with standards of the scientific method. Psychology researchers collect hypotheses from data, using qualitative or quantitative methods (or both). Generally in the field of science... middle of paper... downright immoral. However, it could be argued that Watson and Rayner's study is very valuable to psychology and is one of the most famous experiments in behaviorism. The experiment demonstrated that fears and phobias can be learned and that classical conditioning is a method that can be used to remove fears and anxieties. In conclusion, it is vital that ethical guidelines are followed as much as possible when conducting psychological research. While psychologists have a responsibility to protect participants, they also have an obligation to pursue and share knowledge that will benefit humanity. In some cases, the violation of ethical standards has been necessary to advance the understanding of human beings and their behavior. Overall, psychologists must weigh the potential benefits versus the potential costs of research and decide whether the means justify the ends.