Welcome to our blog on psychology inquiry methods. You know that psychology is a systematic study of experiences mental processes and behaviour of human being, Natural science methods of observation, experimentation, and generalization are used to study the way human behaves. Here, I’m going to provide a detailed explanation of inquiry methods in psychology.
Methods of inquiry in psychology
In psychology, there are three types of inquiry methods like descriptive method, correlational method, and experimental inquiry methods. So, let’s go through the inquiry methods one by one.
Major goals of psychology
Before to proceed to understand the inquiry methods in psychology, take a look at the major goals of psychology. Because, the purpose of inquiry methods is to achieve goals of psychology
- Describe
- Explanation
- Prediction
- Control of Behaviour
- Application
Descriptive method in psychology
Have you ever wondered why people behave the way they do? Why some individuals are more prone to anxiety, while others are naturally outgoing?
Psychology, the scientific study of the human mind and behavior, seeks to answer these questions and more. One of the major inquiry methods used in psychology is description.
So, through careful observation and analysis, psychologists aim to provide a detailed account of how individuals think, feel, and act in various situations.
Descriptive methods involve collecting data by directly observing behavior, conducting interviews, or using surveys. By systematically recording and analyzing these observations, psychologists can uncover patterns and trends that help us better understand human behavior.
For example, through descriptive research, psychologists have discovered that children who experience traumatic events are more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) later in life.
Explaining in more detail the described behaviour – Correlational method
While description is a crucial first step, psychology also seeks to explain the underlying causes and mechanisms behind human behavior. This is where correlational methods come into play. Correlational studies examine the relationships between different variables, such as the correlation between stress levels and academic performance.
By examining these relationships, psychologists can identify factors that are related to specific behaviors or outcomes.
For instance, research has shown that there is a positive correlation between regular exercise and improved mental well-being. This understanding allows psychologists to provide evidence-based recommendations for promoting good mental health.
Unleashing the Power of Experimentation
While description and correlation are valuable, experimental methods allow psychologists to establish cause-and-effect relationships. Through carefully designed experiments, researchers manipulate variables and observe the effects on behavior.
This enables them to test hypotheses and draw conclusions about the factors that influence human behavior. Experimental methods provide valuable insights into the inner workings of the human mind and behavior.
For example, through experimental research, psychologists have demonstrated that exposure to violent media can increase aggressive behavior in children. These findings help inform policies and interventions aimed at reducing violence in society.
Last thought on inquiry methods in psychology,
All the three inquiry methods of psychology – description, correlation, and experimentation, are powerful tools to reveal the true reality of human mind and behaviour. This helps researcher to understand the exact reason of mental problems. Once the problem is understood, the treatment becomes more effective.
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