Discuss the various scientific methods in Psychology
Ans: Psychologists use scientific methods to describe,
predict, understand and influence behavior. All scientists must believe that
their subject matter is orderly lawful before they begin their research. Three
general types of scientific methods used by psychologists – Descriptive method,
Co-relational Method and Formal Experiments.
Descriptive method:
Survey method – It is a research method that makes use of
interviews and questionnaire.
Advantages – A great deal of information is obtained in a
relatively short period of time. they are widely used today because of its
interest in consumer opinions
Disadvantages – time consuming. Inaccurate information due
to several reasons: cannot understand the questions, faking to portray a good
image, subjects are not motivated enough to give the test.
Naturalistic Observations – This is a research method based
on watching and recording behavior as it occurs in natural or real-life
settings. E.g., Scientists studying the behavior of apes, friendship patterns
of young children, etc.
Disadvantages – It merely observes, records and describes
behavior. One has to wait for the behavior to occur. Effect of observer bias.
Clinical Method – observes behavior in the clinical set up
while receiving treatments from a psychologist for their psychological
problems.
Co-relational method:
It studies the relationship between two variables. A
variable is anything that can change and can be measured.
Relationship is of four types: positive, negative, perfect
positive or negative and zero. The strength of the relationship is expressed by
a number known as co-efficient of co-relation, which extends from (-1.00 to
+1.00)
e.g., Studying the relationship between I.Q. and sales
effectiveness (I.Q. as measured by test and sales effectiveness as measured by
number of toothbrushes sold) to enable to employ salespersons who are
intelligent.
e.g., Studying the relationship between behavior problems
and unpopularity.
When interpreting the relationship, it is important to know
that co-relation between two variables does not necessarily imply causation.
e.g., Both behavior problems and unpopularity may be the
caused by another factor namely punitive or abusive parents.
Formal experiments:
An experiment is a research method that allows the
researcher to manipulate the Independent Variable (I.V.) to study the effect on
the dependent variable (D.V.).
The heart of an experiment is the comparison of
quantitative measures of behavior under different conditions.
Definition of Independent Variable – The variable whose
quantitative value can be independently controlled by the experimenter.
Definition of Dependent Variable – The variable whose
quantitative value depends upon the effect of the independent variable.
Definition of the Experimental Group – The group in an
experiment that receives some value of the independent variable.
Definition of the Controlled Group – The group in an
experiment that receives none of the independent variable and is used for
comparisons with the experimental group.
e.g., Examining whether too high levels of noise have
negative effect on behavior (amount of noise – Independent variable, tendency
to help – Dependent variable)
e.g., To examine why some people become depressed during
winter than other seasons (Independent variable – amount of light, dependent
variable – improvement in mood).
A carefully conducted experiment allows a researcher to
draw conclusions about the cause-and-effect relationship more confidently.
Advantages – It is possible to test hypothesis about casual
relationships. It is capable of replication.
Disadvantages – All experiments have some degree of
artificiality therefore findings cannot be generalized. Experimenters can make
mistakes sometimes. Since they are complicated, it is not possible to study all
casual relationship about behavior in a laboratory set up, therefore this
method should be supplemented by other research methods.
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