What is involved in Psychological Methods?• Within this chapter, we will focus on:

1. The various methods used by psychologists to study behaviour scientifically2. The procedures and problems of psychological experiments3. Some non-scientific research methods

• We will see how psychologists (and others) take their method of choice and interpret the information given to help solve the source of the problem that they are trying to solve…

Behaviour: In order to Scientifically Study it you must…• When a researcher studies behaviour ‘scientifically’ (follows

methods), they are always keeping five guidelines in mind: 1. Behaviour being studied must be measureable

• Changes in behaviour must be able to be detected by the human eye or other measuring device

2. The methods and data being used must be objective• Opinions of experimenters should not be evident in the gathering or interpretation of

the data (to the best of their ability)3. The procedures used must be repeatable

• Others who wish to perform a similar experiment must be able to replicate all steps taken

Scientific Study continued…

4. Scientists must be able to communicate the results of their experiment to others• This usually occurs through scientific journals/meetings/etc.

5. Experimenters must use an organized and systematic approach in gathering data• Basically this means an orderly arrangement of procedures must be followed

• If you can’t share data that every scientist can follow, validate, or locate, then what good is the work being done?

Examples of Scientifically Used Methods & Techniques• Natural Observation:• Observing and recording the behaviour of organisms

in their natural environment• i.e. children on a playground, animals in the wild, or a family at home

• The ability to learn how individuals adjust to social situations when acting within informal social settings• Use tape recorders and video cameras to observe

• Issue: Provides little or no information about why behaviour occurs, but does provide a description of the way organisms behave in their surroundings.

Jane Goodall: Natural Observation

Examples of Scientifically Used Methods & Techniques (2)

• Directed Observation:• As the name implies, this is the observation of organism

behaviour under controlled conditions in a lab setting• i.e. Children’s toy manufacturers or mice in a maze

• Issue: While allowing for a more controlled setting, data is often objected (denounced) because “taking an organism from their natural environment may change the behaviour being measured”• Also may create bias (experimenter vs. subject – who is in control?)

Examples of Scientifically Used Methods & Techniques (3)

• The Case-study Method:• A method used by psychologists, social workers, and

psychiatrists • Psychologist = study behaviour & mental processes• Psychiatrists = study mental illness

• The case-study is used in an effort to obtain objective (non-biased) descriptions of background forces that may have influenced an individual’s development• i.e. use of information pertaining to family background, home life, neighbourhood

activities, etc. to help better understand individuals• …the more we know about an individual the better we can understand them…

• Issue: Has limitations; information usually comes from parents, teachers, friends, etc. Sometimes information may be partial or biased.

Examples of Scientifically Used Methods & Techniques (4)

• Interviews:• In many social sciences (psychology, sociology, etc.) data

is often obtained through interviews• i.e. job interview, police interview, online/phone survey

• Psychologists use interviews to gather an individuals case record or to study prejudices in groups

• True value can only come as a result of the skills the interviewer possesses • i.e. Rapport (mixed & cooperative relationship), planning, ability to read

gestures/expressions, and noting avoidance

• Issues: Personal prejudices of an interviewer, ability to properly express results of an interview (i.e. favourable yes/no and by how much?)• Corrections can be made by taping an interview and reviewing strategies used

Examples of Scientifically Used Methods & Techniques (5)

• The Questionnaire Method:• Straight forward approach – questions given to person

to gauge their feelings on a matter• They are not designed to have “right” or “wrong” answers

but instead to gather facts about individuals or to gather their opinions• Answers can be treated as statistics

• Issues: Inaccurate answers based on “lack of interest” or false information being given• If the questionnaire can be sent to a specific group, useful trends in behaviour can be

attained (more of a directed study)• i.e. when your age & sex is asked, online questionnaire can focus on relevant questions to

ask…

Examples of Scientifically Used Methods & Techniques (6)

• Tests and Similar Methods of Measurement:• Involve tests built to test intellectual ability

• Include: Aptitude tests (predict future accomplishments), measure attitudes towards social problems (poverty etc.), vocational interests (interest biased training placement), & personality characteristics.

• Provide more objective data than interviews and questionnaires; often used in comparison to similar scores within a large group

• Issue: These are not the “tests to predict the future”, instead they are just another tool to go along with the other methods used…