Page 1 - Mind Map_Methods of Enquiry in Psychology

Class XI

Chapter 2

Methods of Enquiry in Psychology

Lesson Notes

Module 1

GOALS OF PSYCHOLICAL ENQUIRY

Like any scientific research, psychological enquiry has following goals-

1. Description

a) In a psychological study, it attempts to describe a behaviour or a phenomenon as
accurately as possible.
b) It helps in distinguishing a particular behaviour from other behaviours.
c) For example, the researcher may be interested in observing study habits among
students. Study habits may consist of diverse range of behaviours, such as
attending classes, submitting assignments on time etc.
d) Within a particular category there may be further minute descriptions.
e) The researcher needs to describe her/his meaning of study habits.

2. Prediction

a) The second goal of scientific enquiry is prediction of behaviour.
b) If we can understand and describe the behaviour accurately, we can know the
relationship of a particular behaviour with other types of behaviours, events
which will lead us to predict the occurrence of the behaviour.
c) For example, on the basis of study, a researcher is able to establish a positive
relationship between the amount of study time and achievement in different
subjects.
d) Later, if you come to know that a particular child devotes more time for study, you
can predict that the child is likely to get good marks in the examination.
e) Prediction becomes more accurate with the increase in the number of persons
observed.

3. Explanation

a) The third goal of psychological enquiry is to know the casual factors or
determinants of behaviour.