Methods of studying Psychology

Psychology is termed as the scientific study of Behaviour.

There are number of methods and techniques depending upon the types and nature of the condition which observation have been recorded :

1.Experimental Method

2.Observation Method

3.Clinical Method

4.Statistical Method

5.Survey Method

Case History Method

1.Observation Method:

vThis method is easy simple and traditional.

vIt provides valuable information about human behaviour.

vHuman behaviour is more extensively understood in its own environment rather than in a laboratory.

vObservation may be Subjective or Objective.

Subjective observation- It is the process by which the people ,rather than outsider observe their own feelings desires and experiences (Introspection).

A person is encouraged to voice out their feelings by giving them Questionnaires, through discussion and interviews and also by giving them topic to speak on.

2.Experimental Method:

It is widely used method.Ruch (1970) ,the most highly developed ,Formalize and accurate of all scientific method is experimental method.

In 1979,Wundt established first psychology laboratory.The experiments or research takes place in special laboratories under artificially controlled conditions. which requires special equipments ,well planned and facilitated laboratory , equipments , Subject and experimenter, problems, objectives, hypothesis etc,,,

In Experimental method certain hypothesis is framed on the basis of the previous findings are tested by systematically

Limitations:

vThis method cannot be used on situation of choice

vIt is difficult to keep the person controlled fully.

vIt is very difficult to study unconscious mind of individual fully.

vSometime a person shows irregular behaviour in a controlled environment. So reliability may decrease.

2.Clinical Method This is used only when people come to psychologists with personal problems.  Information is collected by interviewing the person.  They collect complete history of the subject and record in the format of case study/case history. 

3.Statistical Method- From 17th Centaury onwards this method has become a very important tool in analyzing the various human affairs. The term statistical method refers to the method that is used to measure social phenomena mathematically. It also helps to analyze the collected data.

4) Survey Method – Survey is the research methods in which standard set of questions are asked to a large number of participants.In survey, large amount of information is usually gathered from a large population very quickly.Polling is one example of survey method. This method is very useful in finding out the attitudes, values  toward something.Survey may be carried out either through use of interview or written questionnaire. Either closed ended (or multiple choice questions) or open ended questions (in which the participants have freedom to respond) are used during interview. In questionnaire method a set of questionnaire is given to respondents and ask to respond it.To understand Human behaviour ,survey method is more important than observation or experimental method.

This method uses Questionnaires,interviews,rating scales etc..to collect information.

Information usually collects on mass. Such as Election, Consumers interest, thoughts of family planning, women's right etc…

Analysis of information received from this method gives light on inner mentality of an average person.

The survey method must be conducted by a trained and experienced person

5)Case Study Method: Practice derived from legal study.This method helps in qualitative analysis of the issues.This method is specially used for diagnosis and treatment.

v It attempts to analyze the life history of the person from birth to present situation.

vObserving and interviewing the parents,teachers,friends or associate guardians are done in this method.

vIt tries to find out what type of Hereditary and environmental factors have influenced the individual and the fact of cause and problem development to the individual.

vIt helps to find out the causes of behaviour disorders.

vIn-depth study of an issues.

v“Burgess called this method as Social Microscope”

It is more applicable in: Alcoholic, addicts, Criminal, Juvenile Deliquent,immigrants etc.