Methods of Enquiry in Psychology: Class 11

These vocabulary flashcards cover the primary goals, methods, variables, analysis techniques, and ethical considerations of psychological enquiry as outlined in Class 11 Psychology Chapter 2.

Psychological Enquiry

A systematic process aimed at understanding human behavior, experiences, and mental processes through scientific methods.

Description

The goal of accurately recording and distinguishing a particular behavior or phenomenon to ensure proper understanding.

Prediction

Forecasting the occurrence of a behavior under certain conditions by establishing relationships between variables.

Explanation

Identifying the determinants or causal factors (antecedent conditions) that make a behavior occur or not occur.

Control

Making a behavior happen, reducing it, or enhancing it by changing its antecedent conditions.

Application

Bringing out positive changes in people's lives and solving real-world problems.

Hypothesis

A tentative, testable statement or a "guess" about the potential relationship between two or more variables.

Conceptualising a Problem

The first step in scientific research involving selecting a topic and narrowing focus to specific research questions or a hypothesis.

Objectivity

The quality where if two or more psychologists independently study a particular event, they should, to a great extent, arrive at the same conclusion.

Scientific Paradigm

A research focus on overt behavior that can be measured/observed, assuming behavior is predictable and caused by internal/external forces.

Interpretive Paradigm

A research focus on personal feelings, experiences, and subjective meanings, assuming human behavior is complex and reality is interpreted individually.

Demographic Information

Data including name, age, gender, education, and income.

Physiological Data

Data including height, heart rate, EEG, and sleep patterns.

Naturalistic Observation

Recording behavior as it occurs in real-life settings, such as schools, without interference.

Controlled Observation

Observation occurring in laboratory settings where factors are manipulated by the researcher.

Participant Observation

A methodology where the observer becomes part of the group being studied to gain deeper insight.

Non-Participant Observation

A methodology where the observer watches from a distance without interfering with the group.

Independent Variable (IV)

The factor manipulated or altered by the researcher to observe its effects; the hypothesized "cause."

Dependent Variable (DV)

The behavior or phenomenon that is measured and expected to change due to manipulation; the hypothesized "effect."

Experimental Group

The group in an experiment that is exposed to the independent variable manipulation.

Control Group

The comparison group in which the independent variable is absent or kept at a neutral level, used as a baseline.

Organismic Variables

Internal characteristics of the participant such as anxiety, intelligence, or personality.

Situational Variables

Environmental factors at the time of an experiment, such as noise, temperature, or humidity.

Sequential Variables

Effects related to the order of tasks, such as experimental fatigue or practice effects.

Extraneous Variables

Additional factors that might accidentally influence results, which researchers must keep constant.

Correlation Coefficient

A numerical value used in correlational research that ranges from $+1.0$ to $-1.0$.

Positive Correlation

A relationship where both variables increase or decrease together.

Negative Correlation

A relationship where as one variable increases, the other decreases.

Structured Interview

An interview using a pre-written list of questions (interview schedule) with mostly close-ended, fixed responses.

Unstructured Interview

A flexible interview where questions are decided during the interaction and are mostly open-ended.

Reliability

The consistency of scores obtained on a test over time (test-retest) or internal consistency (split-half).

Validity

The degree to which a test actually measures the specific characteristic or attribute it claims to measure.

Norms

Average performance standards of a group used as a basis for interpreting individual test scores.

Case Study

An in-depth study of a particular individual, group, or institution that provides detailed descriptions using multiple methods.

Quantitative Method

Data analysis that converts attributes into numbers and uses statistical methods like mean, mode, and correlation.

Qualitative Method

Data analysis focusing on descriptive data like field notes and narratives to understand human meanings (e.g., Content Analysis).

Lack of True Zero Point

A limitation of psychological measurement where scores are relative (e.g., no one has "zero" intelligence).

Informed Consent

The ethical principle that participants must understand the study's nature and give agreement before it begins.

Debriefing

An ethical process after a study to explain any deception used and ensure participants leave in the same mental state as they entered.

Confidentiality

The ethical obligation to safeguard participant privacy by keeping identities and data secret.