METHODS USED BY PSYCHOLOGISTS IN STUDYING BEHAVIOR

• Introspection


  study of oneself
• Naturalistic Observation


  method of examining and interpreting but never interfering with the behavior being studied
• Participant Observation


  direct observation and participates with the subject
• Survey


  -          used when the investigator wants to investigate a larger group within a shorter time

  -          use tools such as questionnaires, inventories, schedules or interviews, opinionnaires or attitude scale
• Experimental Method


  -          used to study behavior

  -          can be brought into the laboratory and studied under controlled behavior

  -          Wilhelm Wundt first used this method in his laboratory in Germany at Leipzig University in 1987
• Correlational Study


  search for relationship
• Case History Method

  -          a complete detailed account of phenomenon or any social event

  -          may have scientific value or which may provide insights into group behavior

  a research of the past and its implication at the present status
• Historical Method & Archival Research


  search for materials in libraries or other recorded sources, like archives
• Animal Studies


  useful in investigating and accumulating proofs in the biological basis of learning, memory and behavior
• Qualitative and Descriptive Research


  -          researchers try to describe the behavior manifested and change of quality to certain behavior

  -          ethical guidelines need to be taken into consideration when covert observation is carried out
• Longitudinal Studies


  a research method which observes a particular population over certain period of time
• Neuropsychological Methods


  study of both healthy individuals and patients, typically who have suffered either brain injury or mental illnesses
• Computational Modeling


  -          a tool often used in mathematical psychology and cognitive psychology

  -          to simulate a particular behavior using a computer