In science, the subjective element is minimized as it is seen as unreliable and subject to interpretation. In psychology, the field of study is the subjective realm (i.e. mental states). Therefore, one cannot minimize the subjective element. This is why psychology is generally not regarded as a science.
Science limits itself to external states observable by many. True psychology is concerned with internal states experienced only by the experiencer. To get around this problem the behaviorist school was developed which focuses on observable behaviors of sentient beings.
Many do not class behaviorism as a school of psychology (the study of the psyche) but instead as a separate discipline. While the study of behavior will reveal something about a person’s inner states it cannot reveal the inner states themselves.
In its aim to remain objective and subject to the scientific method behaviorism concerns itself only with those things that can be observed and agreed upon by many. So it is a study of behavior, not subjective states, and so is not a true study of the psyche.
Perhaps the school of thought that is most psychologically detailed is Buddhism. This is based on thousands of years of observation by practitioners of meditation of their own mind. This is the true psychology- for only by observing our own subjective states can we claim to be an expert on the mind. Observing other people and animals behavior just doesn't do it.
So I would say that Buddhism is the true science of psychology and that behaviorism is some separate discipline.
Sharka Todd
See also: Science of the mind: Buddhism v behaviourism
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