METHODS OF PSYCHOLOGY - MERITS, DEMERITS

1. METHODS OF
PSCHOLOGY
By
Rajee Ravindran
Faculty ,RMLCON

2. WHAT IS METHOD?
 Psychologists utilize a wide variety of specific
tools and procedures in gathering and
organizing knowledge about behavior.
A system of procedures in order to lead to the desired
outcome.

3. Introspection
 Looking into oneself / self
observations/ self analysis
 It involves systematic observation of
one’s own behavior, thoughts,
emotions, sensations and reporting
the same.
Self
observatio
n method
Oldest method
Initiated and started by school of
structuralism.
Intro ( within/inward) spiere( to look)

4. MERITS
Direct and immediate insight into one’s mental process without
requiring any device or laboratory.
Simple and readily available
Self observations without depending on time.
Gives direct, immediate and exact knowledge.
Inexpensive
Only method by which experiences of person can be known.
DEMERITS
Unscientific as personal bias may creep in while reporting .
Cannot be generalized.
Unable to be verified objectively.
Cannot be verified by other observers.
Provide little or no information about experiences of infants,
mentally ill person or animals.
Results lack reliability and repeatability.

5. Observation method
 Involves perception
(watching/listening) of an individual’s
behaviour (bodily activities, facial
expression, gestures, body
languages) over a period of time
without manipulating and controlling it
& recording the findings for
interpretations.

6. Steps
Observation
Recording
Analysis and
interpretation
Generalization
CHARACTERISTICS
Specific
Systematic and
planned
Scientific and
reliable
Qualitative

7. TYPES OF OBSERVATIONS
On the basis of nature:
Naturalistic observation
Experimental observation
On the basis of usefulness of data:
Systematic
Unsystematic
On the basis of role played by investigator:
Participant observation
Non participant observation

8. MERITS
•Economical, natural, flexible
•Provides real life, ecologically valid
information
•Scientific and objective, if properly planned.
•Reliable and valid
DEMERITS
•Lacks repeatability
•Only external behavior can be observed.
•Subjectivity factors such as observer’s bias

9. Experimental method
Most scientific and objective method to study
human behaviour
To try / put to test
To study cause and effect relationship regarding the
nature of human behaviour.
In this method investigator deals with one or more
variables in order to draw conclusions or to establish
theories.
Variables are the characteristics or conditions that are
manipulated, controlled or observed by the investigator.

10. TYPES OF
VARIABLES
•Independent
(manipulated)
•Dependent(observe
d)
•Control(controlled)
TYPES OF
EXPERIMENTS
•Lab experiment
•Field experiment
•Quasi experiment
STEPS OF
EXPERIMENTAL METHOD
•Identify problem
•Hypothesis
•Find out variables
•Design of experiment
•Analysis of results

11. MERITS
•Scientific method
•Based on facts
•Can be generalized
•Results are valid and reliable
•Involves objectivity
•Standard, replicable and generalised
DEMERITS
•Costly
•Time consuming
•Require skilled personnel
•All problems of psychology could not be studied