Psychology scientific method : A Comprehensive Guide

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Psychology scientific method the main task of psychology is a scientific analysis of behavior and finding new information related to it. Certain elements work behind a person’s behavior at a particular moment. These are the past and present experiences of the person, his current physical and mental condition, and his surroundings. Any one of these elements can determine a person’s behavior. Psychologists use a number of research methods to determine exactly what component is at work behind a particular desired behavior. The causal relationship of a behavior can be revealed to others. Exactly what method the psychologist will follow in this case usually depends on what kind of data he has received so far and what the purpose of his research is. So the methods that are used for research are discussed separately.

1. Psychology scientific method Observation

The test method is the simplest and simplest of scientific methods. Psychologists also use this method. This method has two parts. Namely uncontrolled and controlled.

Uncontrolled observation

Uncontrolled observation is again of two types. Such as natural or accidental observation and systematic observation. Observing the behavior of an organism in a natural environment is called natural observation. Natural observation is the observation of the behavior of human beings or animals in the natural environment. No person or animal is brought to the laboratory under natural conditions. Wherever an animal lives or moves, its behavior is monitored without any control over its movement or obstruction. For example, the behavior of a newborn baby can be determined by observing its gestures and the sounds it makes. If an organism is brought under normal laboratory conditions from its normal environment, the normal expression of its behavior is disrupted. That is why many famous scholars of the world, many writers and poets, many philosophers have published valuable information about him by observing the behavior of many people in a natural environment.

Systematic observation 

Systematic observation method does not make any decision based on presumed truth or random belief about the behavior of the person. Rather, a decision is made by observing a particular behavior in different situations, in different environments. In each environment, the characteristics of the behavior are noticed and at the same time, their expression is recorded. In these cases, the tester does not notice the result by changing any variable. He just writes down the characteristics of the behavior. In order to observe any leadership-friendly behavior, he has to fix certain values or aspects of this behavior in advance. Such as organizational ability, ability to influence others with one’s own intellect and talent, sense of responsibility, etc. Then when the child is playing with other peers or working in the garden with the school children, the observer will only notice these features of his behavior from a distance and note them down in his notebook. It may be that the observer befriends the boys in such a way that his presence does not interfere with their work or play. Or observers may observe their behavior from behind the scenes without appearing in front of them so that their normal behavior is not disturbed.

Advantages

Circumstances in which spontaneous behavior manifests can be idealized in one way or another. As a result, another observer may observe the same behavior again by re-creating the situation or by reconstructing the situation. Sometimes this method gives a complete description of the behavior and sometimes complex instruments are also used to draw a diagram of the behavior. This line drawing can also be used by any other psychologist. This method is equally applicable to all types of animals, children, infants, the elderly, etc., to all classes of people, even the mentally ill.

Disadvantage

There are also some flaws in this method. Overall decisions made through observation are bound to be misleading for a variety of reasons. 

First of all, the test vessel observed in this manner cannot represent any group or ethnic group, or population. Or he may be observed under adverse conditions. In these cases, the overall decision that is made by observing the outward manifestation of behavior is not accurate. 

Second, the observer may have poor memory, or his report may be influenced by the subconscious mind. As a result, his decision is not person neutral. Or his report is mischievous under the pressure of personal feelings. 

Thirdly, this method cannot directly observe the mental state of the person in the present situation. In order to know the nature of the various functions of the conscious level of the individual mind such as thinking, perception, teaching, feeling, motivation, etc., one has to take the help of the introspection method. 

Fourth, there is a special need for appropriate training and skills to closely monitor the behavior of others. This training and skills are to be acquired under an experienced observer. Not all observers may have such training and skills. As a result, their overall decisions are flawed. However, when psychologists use this method of behavior, they usually take every precaution to make the decisions as accurate as possible.

2. Experimental Method | Psychology scientific method

With the help of science, we get objective and accurate knowledge about the universe. And this knowledge is gained through testing. The accuracy of the knowledge obtained through examination can be ascertained. The Experimental Method is called scientific. In psychology, the ape test method is used to analyze the behavior of an organism. And because of the use of this test method, psychology has been given the status of science.

Now the question is what is the Experimental Method? The answer is that proper observation of behavior in a well-regulated artificial environment is called Experimental. The examiner artificially creates an environment where the examiner can express his or her normal behavior. Of all the methods used in psychology, the Experimental method is the most important. Of all the methods, this one demands the validity, objectivity, and control of the knowledge obtained and the purity of the results. 

This method has been able to elevate psychology to the status of science as it has higher levels of objectivity and control. The key to this approach is that the examiner analyzes the problem in detail before conducting any observations. Then make a systematic description of the problem. In addition to the conditions under which the search operation will be carried out, the data obtained in the process as well as the evaluation of the results are described in this statement. The main features of the draft image are as follows:

1. The tester changes only one variable.
2. Other possible variables are controlled as much as possible if there is a risk that the test results will not be immediate if not controlled.
3. The variable that is changed and the effect of this change on the test container is investigated. In other words, the examiner notices the reaction to the behavior of the test container as a result of changing a variable.

Project: In order to use the testing method, the tester has already created a project. This project predicts what the reaction to a particular variable might be before it is tested. If the response is found according to the project or assumption then the project is said to be supported.

Variables: There are at least two variables in the project mentioned in the test method. One of these is called the independent variable which the tester himself applies to the test container. The tester usually observes the effect of this variable on the behavior of the test container. The other variable is called the dependent variable. The response that occurs in a momentary vessel as a result of a change in the independent variable is therefore dependent. Because this variable is completely dependent on the independent variable.

Control: An important aspect of the testing method is control. Other ancillary variables related to independent variables need to be controlled during testing. The tester conducts the test only by modifying the independent variable and keeping the other variables constant. Test results may not be accurate unless these variables are left unchanged. The name control is to keep the effect of other variables unchanged or in the same state by changing only the variable that will be detected.

Steps of the Experimental Method | Psychology scientific method

In order to conduct research in any scientific way, one has to go through several levels in a row. These levels are followed in the experimental method of psychology. The result is objective. The strata are as follows:

1. Problem fixing
2. Estimation of estimates or projects.
3. Formation of suffixes or ideas.
4. Let’s identify.
5. Testing and equipment planning.
6. Data collection and its interpretation.
7. Formulation of general rules.
8. Accurate proofing.
9. Problem fixing: In order to conduct any type of test, one has to fix a problem first. After fixing the problem, the test is conducted on it. So the examiner needs to have a clear idea about the nature of the problem. Otherwise, it becomes difficult for the tester to conduct the test.

But the question is how to solve the problem? According to researchers, there are generally three ways to gain knowledge about a problem; 1. Monitoring the actual situation; 2. The study of past research and 3. The scope of the examiner’s own knowledge about the problem. At present psychological research and experiments are often conducted with realistic problems. 

First, a keen psychologist can fix problems by observing human behavior. Second, past research has not been able to solve all the problems. There are indications of how to solve these problems and how many new problems and new research content. So psychologists are finding many new problems through the study of previously performed research. Thirdly, there are many astute researchers who can point out many new problems with their own knowledge and thinking. Many discoveries in modern science have been made possible in this way.

3. Estimation of project preparation: It has already been said that predicting the test results means that after gaining a thorough knowledge of the problem, the tester thinks of some ways to solve it. Precise predictions on how to solve the problem are also under the project. That is, the examiner predicts in advance what kind of reaction will occur if an independent variable changes on the test vessel in any situation. Through the project, the search work is limited, that is, the testing work is carried out in a specific way. If the problem is solved after searching in the way prescribed by the project, then it can be said that the project is supported. And if the right solution is not found then the project is proved to be false.
4. Formation of suffix or concept: Formation of the suffix is an important aspect of the scientific method. The underlying meaning of the words or terms that scientists use to solve a problem may be different for different scientists. But in the case of scientific research, the meaning of these terms must be the same for all scientists. Then any scientist can use that term in the same sense to solve similar problems. For example, if a project is taken that gives persuasiveness increases the efficiency of the employees, then in what sense can these two words persuasiveness and efficiency be used. 

Such as verbal encouragement, bonus or additional payment promotion, unpaid education of children, medical facilities, accommodation, etc. The type of persuader mentioned should be mentioned while verifying the validity of this project in a scientific manner. In the same way, efficiency means more productivity, a sense of responsibility, perseverance, discipline, or anything. The scientist must have a precise explanation of what he means by efficiency in his research. After determining the hypothesis, the concepts thus expressed in the hypothesis are an essential part of the explicit interpretation test method.

5. Variation Identification: After determining the guess, the words or terms mentioned in it as cause and effect should be separated. The term mentioned as the reason will be independent and the result will be dependent or waiting. The tester changes the independent variable and applies it to the test container. The response of the test container due to this change is dependent. It is called the dependent variable as it is dependent on an independent variable. Apart from neutral and dependent variables, the test method also mentions some more variables. These are not visible externally but maintain a connection between independent and non-independent variables on the inside. The tester always keeps them unchanged. If left unchecked, they can affect dependent variables. These are called intermediate moves. The age, education, intelligence, personality, motivation, attitude, etc. of the test container are included in this national variable.
6. Testing and equipment planning: A specific process is followed to conduct the test smoothly. A brief outline of this process is called a test plan. It is also called a test design because it is written in the form of a design. How a test is conducted A psychologist can understand how a test is conducted without looking at the whole process. So any other psychologist can try to re-prove the problem according to this plan to solve the problem or justify it.

At present, various complex tools are used to solve various problems of psychology. If these are not properly planned, research work can be hampered and erroneous results can be obtained. This is because the interpretation of the information obtained through testing largely depends on the management of these devices. When it comes to researching specific animals, the planning of machinery has become more important.

On the other hand, the tools used by psychologists such as Kohler and Tolman were designed in such a way that they were able to observe the whole problem of the animal problem. As a result there they are able to solve problems by applying increments.

6. Data collection and its interpretation: Data collection and its interpretation is a very important function of the test method. Special care must be taken in data collection when conducting tests according to specific plans. If there is any mistake in data collection, no correct conclusion can be reached based on it. Nowadays a variety of complex electrical and electronic devices such as electroencephalographs, psychogalvanometers, polygraphs, pneumographs, etc. are used to record the activities inside the body. You have to be very careful while using these devices. This is because the information obtained through these devices may be inaccurate due to slight movement of the body or other reasons while recording the reactions inside the body.

After the data is collected, it needs to be properly explained. No meaning can be found from the pile of random data. Various statistical methods are used to find the exact meaning of the data. The interpretation obtained after the analysis in the statistical method is full of meaning. Therefore, after the collection of data, its interpretation in the necessary method of statistics is an important step of the testing method to reach the correct conclusion.

7. Formulation of general rules: An important feature of the scientific method is the discovery of general rules. One of its meanings can be found through the analysis of data in a statistical manner. The examiner can make a general rule about the information obtained if the information obtained is similar to the expected information mentioned in the estimate. Under this rule, he can apply the information obtained not only to one person or object but to all such persons or objects. But before publishing this general rule, he has to collect some more such examples. For example, if the examiner examines a large number of students and finds that they fall asleep after learning something, they can decide that this rule is more or less applicable to all students.

 

8. Proof of Proof: The last stage of the scientific method is to incorporate the knowledge gained through the experimental method into scientific knowledge. That is why this level is very important in scientific research. As soon as the examiner discloses the information obtained by him as a general rule, it cannot be covered by scientific knowledge. If any knowledge is to be included in scientific knowledge, it needs to be properly proved. If the examiner himself or any other researcher repeatedly tests this method on different people and gets the same result, then it can be said that the declaration given in the general rule is correct and only then the knowledge obtained will be included in the scientific knowledge. So it cannot be called scientific knowledge just by revealing general rules. This requires proper proof.

Advantages of Experimental method | Psychology scientific method

1. The main advantage of the testing method is control. Since the test is conducted in an artificial environment of the laboratory, it is under the complete control of the tester during the test. As a result, he can bring about change as needed. He is fully aware of the nature and extent of this change.
2. Another major advantage of the test method is the repetition of the test. When looking for a problem in psychology, a psychologist changes one variable and controls the other variables through a plan in such a way that another psychologist can re-verify the test results by creating a similar situation to solve the same problem. Or that psychologist himself may repeat it at another time. The test design specifies a specific approach that can be repeated at any time to verify the results. This can be used to assess whether the test results are correct.
3. This method provides the most objective results. The examiner cannot include his own opinion in the analysis of the results obtained. There is no scope to interfere with the results. The results obtained are free from the personal influence of the examiner. So the results cannot be vicious in bias. This is why this method demands the most objectivity.
4. The results obtained in this method are free from the influence of all possible types of complex and obscure variables other than personal effects. This is because in this method the behavior is observed very carefully according to the predetermined plan.
5. In this method the result is observed by changing only one variable at a particular moment. As a result, this method ensures a fair causal relationship between the two behavioral events.
6. Quantitative change of neutral independent variables and numerical analysis of the information obtained is possible in this method. Quantitative change in the neutral variable results in the number of changes in the dependent variable. This quantitative change and its results can be shown through diagrams. Therefore, this method is more scientific and practical than other methods.
7. 7. This method, in determining the causal relationship between individual and dependent variables, in most cases considers the insightful description of the test vessel. Considering this insightful account, it is easier to explain if the test does not yield the expected results. This is why psychologists need this method so much that they often overlook its disadvantages.

The testing method is the scientific method. Psychology has gained the status of science in the court of the world today because it follows the method of testing in the search for the cause and effect relationship of behavior. In other words, the experimental method has helped psychology acquire all kinds of scientific features.

Disadvantages of the Experimental method | Psychology scientific method

Despite the advantages of the testing method, it is not without its drawbacks. Although its disadvantages are often overlooked by psychologists, knowledge of them is especially helpful in evaluating data obtained through testing methods. These methodological errors are as follows:

First: the application of this method is limited. This method involves testing the behavior in artificially created conditions in the laboratory. Many times this method cannot be applied for behavior monitoring. Because humans or animals are not inert matter, they can be artificially brought into the laboratory and used as test containers if needed. Inert substances used in physics or chemistry remain unchanged under normal conditions and can be moved so easily that any question can arise about them. 

As a result, the results obtained from the tests in these scriptures are accurate. But the behaviors observed in psychology by humans or animals are not the same for all humans or animals. These can be different for different people at the same time or for different people at the same time. For this reason, experiments in psychology, like in the natural sciences, do not yield perfect, precise, precise, or precise results.

Second: As mentioned earlier, this method creates artificial conditions in the laboratory. A psychologist has to act like a detective or under suspicion to investigate a person’s behavior. The same kind of artificial conditions cannot always be created in a laboratory in the study of human behavior. Or the results obtained in the artificial state of the laboratory in scientific research should be similar to the results obtained in the natural environment outside. But sometimes the results obtained in the laboratory are completely different or meaningless from the results obtained in the natural environment. However, psychologists are always careful in their behavior to ensure that the results obtained are reliable.

Third: Another reason this method is erroneous is the content of the search. The problem with which the search is conducted is often complicated. Suppose, for example, that the noise of the work environment affects fatigue or production. In this case, the staff who will be used as the examiner, if they work with extra interest to help the examiner, then the examiner may not find any sign of fatigue even in the midst of intense noise. As a result, no actual results can be obtained.

Fourth: There are different types of test subjects in psychology. Moreover, due to individual differences between the test containers, the test method cannot be applied to all of them properly. Objective observation of emotions in such a method is quite inconvenient. Because it is not possible to create the right emotion artificially as needed. No one can laugh or cry just by making a request. Similarly, there are special difficulties in applying test methods to teaching and bonding. Again, many times, if the experiment is carried out separately from the social environment, the true identity of the human personality does not match.

3. Clinical Method in Psychology | Psychology scientific method

The English word Clinical is derived from the Greek word Klinikos. Klinikos means bed. The fact that the patient is bedridden means that the disease has gradually become related. In psychology, it is again used in a special sense. At every moment man tries to adapt to his environment. But he cannot always be in harmony with the environment. And if there is no proper harmony with the environment, a kind of mental development occurs in it. Psychologists use therapeutic methods to diagnose the causes and nature of these mental illnesses and try to eliminate them.

Only those psychologists who have accumulated sufficient experience in the treatment of mental illness by analyzing and diagnosing its causes and nature use this method of treatment. Many of those who are unable to cope with the environment suffer from complex mental illnesses or personality disorders. They come to the psychologist for treatment. The psychologist collects the details of all the events of a person’s past and present life in order to gain a piece of thorough knowledge about his psychosis. This information he collects from the person himself and from his friends and relatives.

Psychologists are not doctors, not Medical Psychologist. So if there is a suspicion that a person has a physical disease, he first sends the person for a medical examination. If no physical cause of the disease was found in the medical examination, he started treating the patient according to his own method. In the early stages, he examined the patient with the help of some tests. This test is usually done on a person’s intelligence, personality, passion for a subject, skills, and maturity, etc. Especially with the help of personality tests, he diagnoses a person’s behavior impairment. He then gradually applied this method to remove it.

This approach to behavioral observation usually relies on personal, abrupt, and uncontrolled observation. These methods of data collection do not guarantee accurate measurements. As a result, the information obtained in this way is not scientifically sound. In some cases, it is difficult to diagnose important causes of behavioral disorders. Psychiatrists value a particular event for a particular type of behavior. And that special event may be an exceptional reason for that. However, the important feature of this method is to find important information which cannot be searched by any other objective method. In many western countries, the application of the patient method is very high. This is because the method has been able to show special benefits in the treatment of behavioral disabilities of the people there.

4. Life history of Case history | Psychology scientific method

The main subject of psychology is the behavior of the person. For this, the biographical discussion of the person is especially important. This method collects necessary information from various events of a person’s past life. Another method similar to the review of individual behavior from life history is called the evolutionary method. The evolutionary process focuses on the changes that take place in a person’s evolution at a particular time in their life. This is why this method is called the life history method. There are three types of this method;

1. The method of describing the daily events of the child
2. Individual history method
3. Biographical Method

Everyday Event Narrative Method | Psychology scientific method

In a child’s daily book system, in the normal development of the child, when he first smiles, when he utters the first word when he speaks first when he learns to sit first when he can stand first, when he first learns to walk, when he first gets sick, etc. . Mothers usually write down the details of their baby’s daily life in a small notebook. With the help of this record book, the cause of any particular behavior in the development of the child can be found.

Individual History Method | Psychology scientific method

Individual History Method is the collection of information from a person’s past experiences to better understand their current behavior. A person’s current state of mind cannot be seen in isolation from his past life. For this reason, it is necessary to know the past history of the person. And the main goal of this method is to tell the past history of the person. Information about a person’s past life is usually collected in two ways. Firstly to know the events of his past life through interrogation of the person and secondly to collect objective information about him through his parents, relatives, friends. Also his past life ailments, records of educational institution, a report from the previous employer, report about character, etc.

Biographical Method | Psychology scientific method

Biographical method seeks to find valid facts or ideas from a person’s autobiography or a life story written by another. The main task of the psychologist here is to pay special attention to the events of the past which he considers to be responsible for the present behavior of the person. This method is not particularly useful in scientific reviews of behavior. Because biography writing is not a psychologist in itself. He can also cite special events in a person’s life for other interpretations. He may not know many secret facts about a person’s life. There is also the influence of one’s own desires, aspirations, intentions, and feelings in the writings of those who write biographies.

5. Survey Method | Psychology scientific method

The survey method is mainly applied by social psychologists. When it is not advisable to spend a lot of time studying the social history of human beings, valuable information is collected by applying survey methods. This information is usually collected through written questions or answers to oral questions. In the written question paper, some questions are prepared and given to the person on the relevant topic of behavior. The person can answer in writing or orally. No question paper is prepared for oral questions. However, the answer to the question can be found verbally in the conversation with the person. In this case, this method is similar to intuition. Because if a person wants to know about a past event, he will think a little about it, then he will answer as much as he remembers in the present conscious state. When the researcher needs to collect information about the population of a particular area, he/she will select some people from that area as an ideal group by sampling. This group is considered to be representative of the entire population. The data collected through written question papers or interviews from each of these groups is then considered as population data of the area.

The main advantage of the survey method is, firstly, that it does not require data collection from everyone in the area. Only by collecting information from those who are selected as the ideal team. Second, gathering information from a representative population results in less time and effort. Thirdly, due to less time, the cost is also less.

The main disadvantage of this method is that if the group from which the information is collected is not representative of the entire population, then the decision based on the information collected will not be accurate. Many call this method coherent observation, while others call it the survey method. Whatever the name, it has a similarity with the test method, and that is that this method measures a variable. However, the difference with the test method is that the tester cannot change any particular variable at will. He can only collect information that exists in the natural environment or in situations created by nature.

The survey method is applied in different fields of psychology. Its main areas of application are public opinion polls, the impact Kiki material has on public opinion, what impact advertising has on consumer success, what factors influence the success of education, and even the role of environment and heredity in intellectual development. The survey method is used to find answers to many more such basic questions. Currently, the survey method is providing special assistance in research on various issues of psychology such as what are the elements of personality, social politics, industrial problems, etc.

6. Interview Method | Psychology scientific method

The interview is the process of putting the test container face to face and getting the necessary information about it through discussion or question and answer. The examiner asks various questions about the relevant topics of the behavior and the person answers them. Not just questions, but in many cases the examiner becomes aware of the necessary features of the person’s intelligence and personality by discussing important issues. He also observes the person’s style of discussion, ability to present, confidence, and knowledge of a person about a subject.

At present, the interview method is applied in almost all cases. This method is being widely used in the selection of personnel, admission in schools, colleges, universities, and other technical or vocational educational institutions, selection of people in the military department.

It is often seen that the interview method works as an aid to other methods such as introspection life history, patient examination, etc. But it is also used individually. Especially in the case of intelligence and personality assessment, decisions made about a person’s behavior through interviews are important, even without the help of this method. Medical psychologists usually rely on interview methods to understand personality traits in particular. However, the success of this method depends on the sweet relationship between the examiner and the examiner during the interview.

This method also has some disadvantages. First : the success of the decision-making process with this method depends entirely on the skills of the interviewee. The value of this method is diminished if the interviewer is careless or inexperienced. Second: the results obtained by this method cannot be expressed in any quantity or number. Only a few features are expressed with the help of descriptions. So there is no way to re-prove whether the results obtained are correct. Despite these difficulties, interviewing methods, like other objective methods, can be used to gather a lot of valuable information and contribute to the development of psychology.

7. Statistical Method | Psychology scientific method

Every branch of science has its own tools for gaining a thorough knowledge of materials. Statistical methods are used for this purpose in psychology. Apart from statistics, there is no other method in psychology by which its information can be expressed meaningfully through numbers. The statistical method is applied to make the data obtained through the test concise but meaningful in a special process. For example, a 200-point IQ test was applied to person A, and his or her success score was analyzed using a statistical method to get a Burbank of 100. It carries the identity of the natural intellect of person A. With the help of this single number, it became clear how much intelligence A person had.

At the present stage of the evolution of psychology, there is no way to understand its basic components without the help of statistical methods. This is because the statistical method makes it easy to express data by expressing it through a single number with the help of mathematical analysis of data. Statistics as a method serves three purposes in psychology.

First, it serves as a way to make scattered knowledge on a particular problem concise and meaningful. Makes the vast amount of data collected on behavior concise and meaningful through description and analysis. For example, the amount of one’s intelligence is expressed only with the help of IQ. Also, the IQ is quite short and meaningful. It is expressed by the IQ of two persons. For example, if the IQ of person “A” and “B” is 100 and 120 respectively, then person B is more intelligent than person A. Here the intelligence of person A is normal compared to his age but he is less intelligent than person B. This idea of   the difference in intelligence has been expressed with the help of general measurement methods. This is the descriptive work of statistics.

Second, the statistical method serves as a means of disclosing information about two behavioral events. The value of change is the number by which the relationship between a person’s intellect and his educational work is expressed, including the value of change.

Thirdly, the psychologist can come to a special conclusion about the behavior of a person based on the results obtained by analyzing the data of a particular behavior of the person obtained through examination with the help of statistics. Psychologists can come to many valuable conclusions about the two groups by conducting experiments on them or applying tests to diagnose changes, including the data available. Provided, however, that the difference between the two parties should not be dependent on any coincidence. Thus this method determines the significance of the predictions of psychology.

8. Test Method | Psychology scientific method

The test method is a special contribution to the study of psychology. In many ways, a person’s behavior, intelligence, personality tendencies, inclinations, etc. are measured. With the help of this, psychologists can collect a lot of data in a short period of time without disturbing the daily work of a large working population. It is used as a special method in the study of psychology. The behavior of a person can be analyzed by applying this method without using any special equipment in the laboratory. With the help of this special knowledge about different physical and mental characteristics of a person can be gained. 

For example, if a student does not make the expected progress in his studies, his general intelligence is first determined with the help of an IQ test. His success is then identified by applying special tests, such as writing tests, reading tests, or math tests, based on the subjects he has lagged behind. He is then given instructions on how to fix the problem or what his parents and guardians should do. Discriminatory aptitude tests are also applied to students to determine their future career choices or to determine what they can do well in the future. In the same way, personality tests are applied to measure personality traits.

9. Method of Introspection | Psychology scientific method

Insights have been used since the beginning of psychology. This method helps to know the inner experiences and feelings of the person. If someone is asked to introspect, he will first think a little and then tell others about his feelings or inner state. So in introspection, the person usually expresses his personal experience about his past and present experience, happiness, sorrow, hope aspiration, emotion, feeling attitude, etc. In this method, it refers to the subtle observation of the conscious process of a person’s thoughts, feelings, and attitudes, ideas, etc. about a subject.

Intuition is a special state of the consciousness process. It has different levels. When we become aware of something in the conscious state, it is the lowest level of intuition. That is the third or highest level when it is reacted to after thinking about the event. If someone is asked, do you like to spend your leisure time with friends? Then he realizes his mental state and tries to give a well-thought-out answer. This requires careful observation of one’s own experience. This subtle observation of your experience is intuition. Interviews are excellent examples of insights such as public opinion polls, rating scales, etc.

Psychology has been applying introspective methods since the beginning of the study of behavior. Although it is not possible to verify the veracity of the information obtained through it, there is no way to deny its application. Because even though the complex mental process of a person cannot be seen externally, intuition has an indirect effect on all his behaviors. When applying this method to behavioral meditation, psychologists are as careful as possible not to rush to verify the accuracy of the information obtained.

Since behavior is variable, observations and analyzes often do not yield the desired results. In this case, if an insightful report is received from the person, then his help can explain the unintended consequences. That is why the use of intuition in psychology is still going on today.

Advantage | Psychology scientific method

1. The only way to know a person’s personal information is through introspection. Because happiness, sorrow, hope, aspiration, thoughts, feelings are all internal matters. These secrets of the individual cannot be known by any method other than the method of intuition alone.
2. This method is most useful in gathering information only on the internal events or experiences of the person which are very simple or on which no one has any disagreement.
3. 3. Although the information obtained through this method is not scientific, it sometimes comes out with all the information that can be verified with the help of any other objective method.

Disadvantage | Psychology scientific method

Despite the privilege of revealing a person’s secrets with the help of intuition, this method is not without faults. Behaviorists have strongly criticized this approach.

1. This method cannot be re-applied in any way. This is because this method cannot collect data through testing. Again, there is no chance of the information obtained through this being re-verified by another examiner or that examiner.
2. The field of application of this method is limited. It can only be applied to those who have intelligence and who can speak. As a result, it is not possible to discuss the behavior of animals, children, dumb people, or human beings by this method.
3. This method can only reveal the things involved in the conscious level of the person. But many experiences and events of daily life are suppressed at the subconscious level of the mind. Moreover, there are many important experiences, all of which cannot be remembered in the present moment. Intuition can reveal all the forgotten experiences of the subconscious level of the mind. As a result, decisions made about the causality of individual behavior may not be accurate in the light of the experience remembered at the present moment.
4. The information obtained may be misleading if the person is inattentive at the moment of suppression, does not have a sense of responsibility, conceals an experience for a special reason, or if the experiences are complex or subject to argument. There is a lot of secret information in a person’s life that reveals a person’s inferiority complex or the potential for harm. Therefore, the information obtained about these issues cannot be accurate.

Despite the harsh criticism of behaviorists, the method of insight still occupies an important place in the field of psychology research. Because no one can ignore the mental entity. And everyone is aware of this. The famous Greek philosopher Descartes said that I can still think of proof that I am alive. So every human being is obliged to express his thoughts and feelings to others. But if one thinks that the thoughts, feelings, and attitudes of others are his own, then he can make the right decision about others based on his own experience. But such a decision is wrong and dangerous.

However, the famous sociologist Cooley (1926) supported the advantages of insight through his sympathetic penetration method. With this method, the examiner tries to know the feelings of the other with close friendship and empathy and unites himself with the other in such a way that the feelings of both are the same. Then one is able to express the feelings of others through one’s own intuition. These advantages of the intuition approach depend on the tester’s education and the maturity of his experience. Not only this, with the help of good judgment you can do wonders. Although science does not agree, this method can be used to formulate some particularly important formulas for behavior, or to be re-proven later with a scientifically agreed method. Even if no conjecture is proved true in the investigation, the cause can be explained in the introspection method.

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Acknowledgment

Many thanks to ( https://translate.google.com/?sl=bn&tl=en&op=translate ) for translating into English.

Reference

General Psychology

Md. Afshar Uddin

Associate Professor

Department of Psychology

Rajshahi University.