Skip to main content

📘 Unit 3 – Methods of Psychology

Time to roll up our sleeves 🧑‍🔬!
Psychology doesn’t just talk about behavior — it studies it with powerful tools. Let’s explore the methods.

🪞 Introspection​

  • Looking inward, analyzing one’s own thoughts/feelings.
  • Key figures: Wundt & Titchener.
  • Limitation → highly subjective.

👀 Observation​

  • Naturalistic – watching in real-world settings.
  • Controlled – observing in labs.
  • Types: Participant vs Non-participant.

📝 Survey​

  • Tools: questionnaires & interviews.
  • Pros → large data, quick results.
  • Cons → sampling bias, inaccuracies.

⚗️ Experimental Method​

  • Manipulate Independent Variable (IV).
  • Measure Dependent Variable (DV).
  • Compare Control vs Experimental Groups.

📚 Case Study​

  • Deep study of a single person/group.
  • Example: Freud’s famous patient cases.
  • Limitation → cannot generalize.

🔗 Correlational Method​

  • Measures relationship between two variables.
  • r = -1.00 → +1.00 (strength & direction).
  • Shows relation, but not causation.

✨ Unit III Recap​

  • Methods = Introspection, Observation, Survey, Experiment, Case Study, Correlation.
  • Best for science → Experimental.
  • Best for depth → Case Study.
  • Best for quick insights → Survey.

Each method is like a different lens 🔍 — switch them to get new perspectives on human behavior.