Final answer:
Psychology is a scientific discipline due to its systematic approach to testing hypotheses through objective observation and experimentation, which are key aspects of the empirical method.
Step-by-step explanation:
Psychology is considered a scientific discipline because of its emphasis on testing theories, beliefs, and assumptions through the empirical method. This method involves acquiring knowledge based on objective observation, including experimentation, rather than solely on forms of logical argument or previous authorities. Psychologists focus on understanding behavior, cognitive (mental) processes, and physiological (body) processes that underlie behavior, using the scientific method to acquire knowledge. They formulate hypotheses within the context of scientific theories, conduct experiments or make observations to test these hypotheses, and publish their results so that they can be scrutinized and replicated by others. The rigorous application of the scientific process separates psychology from non-scientific approaches to understanding the mind and behavior.