Which of the following best explains how new discoveries influence contemporary psychological perspectives?

• A. They lead to the integration of new evidence and methods, prompting shifts or expansions in existing theories.
• B. They only affect biological psychology and have little impact on other perspectives.
• C. They are typically ignored by established psychological schools to maintain traditional viewpoints.
• D. They result in the immediate replacement of all previous psychological theories.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that contemporary psychological perspectives evolve over time as new discoveries are made, which means theories are not static but adaptable.
2. Recognize that new evidence and methods contribute to refining, expanding, or sometimes challenging existing psychological theories rather than completely discarding them immediately.
3. Consider how integration works in science: new findings are incorporated into current frameworks to improve their explanatory power and applicability.
4. Evaluate the incorrect options by reflecting on the nature of scientific progress—psychology, like other sciences, rarely ignores new evidence or limits its impact to only one subfield.
5. Conclude that the best explanation is that new discoveries lead to the integration of new evidence and methods, prompting shifts or expansions in existing theories, reflecting the dynamic and cumulative nature of psychological science.