Final answer:
Psychology qualifies as a modern empirical science through its use of observation, experimentation, and evidence-based methods to study behavior and mental processes similar to the natural sciences.
Step-by-step explanation:
Psychology can be considered as a modern empirical science because it adopts the empirical method of acquiring knowledge, which is based on observation, including experimentation, rather than relying solely on logical argument or previous authorities. Like the natural sciences, psychology evolved to use evidence-backed methodologies to study the human mind, exploring aspects such as cognition, behavior, and physiological processes. This approach is distinct from other ways of understanding behavior, such as intuition and personal experience, as it requires objective and tangible evidence that can be repeatedly observed and verified.
The founders of psychology as a science, such as Wilhelm Wundt and William James, shifted the study of the mind from a philosophical pursuit to one grounded in scientific inquiry. This shift has allowed psychology to develop a framework to understand and predict human behavior, much like established fields such as physics and biology. Psychology's empirical evidence comes from data gathered through techniques such as introspection, controlled experiments, and the scientific study of mental processes and behavior.
It's essential to note that as psychology deals with complex human behaviors and mental states, some aspects like thoughts, values, and morality cannot be fully encapsulated by empirical science; however, the elements that can be measured and observed form the basis of its scientific methods.