By Ms Gaxherri, Psychology Teacher

This week, Year 10 Psychology students have been exploring one of the subject’s most fascinating questions: Is Psychology a science?

To investigate, we looked at Pavlov’s famous experiment with dogs. Pavlov discovered that dogs could learn to associate a bell with food—a process known as classical conditioning. This gave students a concrete example of how Psychologists can use controlled experiments to study behaviour, just like scientists in other fields.

We then discussed whether psychology, as a subject, meets the key features of science—objectivity, control, and replicability. While Pavlov’s work certainly used scientific methods, students also considered whether all areas of psychology can be measured in the same way, especially when studying thoughts and emotions.

The class showed real maturity in their discussions, weighing up evidence and sharing thoughtful insights. It’s been brilliant to see them developing critical thinking skills and engaging with the subject on a deeper level.

Psychology is all about understanding people and Year 10 are well on their way to becoming curious and reflective thinkers.