METHODS USED BY PSYCHOLOGISTS TO STUDY BEHAVIOR

• Introspection


  Study of oneself
• Naturalistic Observation


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


  Direct observation; participates with the subject
• Surveys


  Used when the investigator wants to investigate a larger group within a shorter time
• Tools used in surveys


  • Questionnaires
  • Inventories
  • Schedules
  • Interviews
  • Opinionnaires
  • Attitude scale
• Experimental Method


  Used to study behavior which can be brought into the laboratory and studied under controlled behavior
• Wilhelm Wundt first used the experimental method in his laboratory in Germany at Leipzig University


  1987
• Correlational Studies


  Search for relationship
• Case History Method


  A complete detailed account of phenomenon or any social event which may have scientific value or which may provide insights into group behavior
• Historical Method and Archival Research


  Search for materials in libraries or other recorded sources, say, 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


  Involves the 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