Class XI-Psychology

Chapter-Methods of Enquiry in Psychology

Extra long questions and answers:

1. What are the goals of psychological enquiry? Explain them with examples.

Answer:

The goals of psychological enquiry are:

1. Description – It involves describing behaviour and mental processes as they occur. For example, observing how students behave under stress.

2. Explanation – It seeks to understand why a particular behaviour occurs. For instance, why do some students perform better under stress while others struggle?

3. Prediction – Psychologists aim to predict future behaviour based on past observations. For example, predicting how a person may react to a stressful situation.

4. Control – It involves influencing behaviour in a positive way. For example, developing stress management techniques for students.

5. Application – Psychological knowledge is applied to solve real-life problems, such as using counselling for stress relief.

2. What is the scientific method in psychology? Explain its characteristics.

Answer:

The scientific method in psychology is a systematic approach to studying human behaviour. It involves:

1. Objectivity – Researchers must remain unbiased while conducting studies.

2. Empirical Evidence – Conclusions must be based on observable and measurable data.

3. Systematic Observation – Observations must be planned and structured.

4. Replicability – The study should be repeatable under similar conditions.

5. Predictability – Theories should help predict future behaviour.

For example, if psychologists study the effects of sleep on memory, they must use controlled experiments and analyse data objectively.

3. Explain the different types of psychological research methods.

Answer:

Psychological research methods include:

1. Experimental Method – Involves conducting controlled experiments to establish cause-effect relationships. For example, studying how sleep deprivation affects memory.

2. Observational Method – Researchers observe behaviour in natural settings without interference. Example: Watching how children interact in a playground.

3. Survey Method – Involves gathering data from a large group through questionnaires or interviews. Example: A survey on students’ stress levels.

4. Case Study Method – An in-depth study of an individual or a small group. Example: Studying a patient with a rare psychological disorder.

5. Correlational Method – Examines relationships between two variables. Example: The link between social media use and depression.

Each method helps in understanding different aspects of behaviour.

4. What is an experimental method in psychology? Explain its advantages and limitations.

Answer:

The experimental method involves manipulating one variable (independent variable) to observe its effect on another variable (dependent variable).

Advantages:

1. Helps establish cause-and-effect relationships.

2. Controlled environment ensures reliability.

3. Findings can be replicated.

Limitations:

1. Artificial settings may not reflect real-life behaviour.

2. Ethical concerns may arise (e.g., psychological distress to participants).

3. Some behaviours cannot be studied experimentally (e.g., effects of long-term trauma).

For example, in a sleep experiment, researchers can manipulate sleep duration (IV) and measure its impact on memory (DV).

4. What is the observational method in psychology? Discuss its types.

Answer:

The observational method involves studying behaviour without interference.

Types of Observation:

1. Naturalistic Observation – Behaviour is observed in its natural setting without intervention. Example: Studying how children interact in a playground.

2. Controlled Observation – Conducted in a lab setting under controlled conditions. Example: Observing participants’ reactions to stressful tasks in a lab.

3. Participant Observation – The researcher actively participates in the group being studied. Example: A psychologist joining a therapy group to observe interactions.

Observational methods help in understanding real-world behaviour but can be time-consuming and prone to observer bias.

5. Define survey method and explain its advantages and disadvantages.

Answer:

The survey method involves collecting data through structured questionnaires or interviews from a large number of people.

Advantages:

1. Efficient for collecting data from a large group.

2. Cost-effective and time-saving.

3. Useful for studying attitudes, opinions, and trends.

Disadvantages:

1. Responses may be biased or inaccurate.

2. Participants may not understand questions correctly.

3. Difficult to establish cause-and-effect relationships.

Example: Conducting a survey on students’ study habits and their exam performance.

6. What is a case study method? Discuss its significance in psychology.

Answer:

A case study is an in-depth analysis of an individual or a small group over time.

Significance:

1. Provides detailed insights into rare conditions (e.g., studying a person with multiple personality disorder).

2. Helps in generating new hypotheses for further research.

3. Useful in clinical psychology for understanding unique cases.

However, case studies have limitations such as being time-consuming and difficult to generalize findings to a larger population.

7. Explain the concept of correlation method in psychological research. How does it differ from the experimental method?

Answer:

The correlation method examines relationships between two variables but does not establish causation.

Example: A study finding that students who sleep more tend to score higher in exams (positive correlation).

Differences from Experimental Method:

1. Correlation shows relationships but cannot establish cause-effect, while experiments can.

2. Experiments involve manipulating variables, while correlation studies only observe existing relationships.

3. Correlation is useful when experiments are impractical (e.g., studying the impact of childhood trauma).

8. Discuss ethical issues in psychological research.

Answer:

Ethical considerations in psychology ensure the safety and well-being of participants. These include:

1. Informed Consent – Participants must voluntarily agree to take part in the study.

2. Confidentiality – Personal data must be kept private.

3. Deception – Should be minimized and justified if necessary.

4. Debriefing – Participants must be informed about the purpose of the study after it is completed.

5. Protection from Harm – Researchers must avoid causing psychological or physical harm.

For example, in Milgram’s obedience study, participants were deceived, raising ethical concerns.

9. What are the challenges psychologists face while studying human behaviour?

Answer:

Studying human behaviour is complex due to:

1. Subjectivity – Individual experiences and biases can influence responses.

2. Uncontrollable Variables – Many factors (e.g., upbringing, culture) affect behaviour and cannot be controlled.

3. Ethical Constraints – Some behaviours cannot be studied experimentally due to ethical concerns.

4. Variability in Behaviour – Human behaviour changes across different situations and contexts.

5. Demand Characteristics – Participants may change their behaviour when they know they are being observed.

For example, in an experiment on stress, personal experiences may affect how participants react, making it hard to generalize findings.

~Ridhi Tanaya Sahu