Class 11 Psychology - KERALA
Methods of Enquiry in Psychology
The chapter 'Methods of Enquiry in Psychology' introduces Class 11 Kerala SCERT students to the scientific ways psychologists study human behavior and mental processes. It covers the goals of psychological enquiry, steps in scientific research, and various methods like observation, experimentation, correlational research, survey, and case study. Understanding these methods is crucial as they form the foundation of psychological research and objectivity. For board exams, questions frequently test your ability to differentiate between methods, identify variables in experiments, and understand ethical issues in research, making it a high-scoring and conceptually important chapter.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Goals of Psychological Enquiry
The primary objectives are description, prediction, explanation, and control of behavior, along with application of knowledge to solve human problems.
Experimental Method
A research method where the researcher manipulates an independent variable to observe its effect on a dependent variable under controlled conditions.
Observation Method
A technique involving systematic, organized, and objective recording of behaviors as they occur naturally without intervention by the researcher.
Correlational Research
A method used to determine the relationship between two or more variables in terms of direction and strength, represented by a correlation coefficient.
Case Study
An in-depth, intensive study of an individual, small group, or situation using multiple sources of information to understand complex behavioral patterns.
Ethical Issues in Research
Guidelines such as informed consent, confidentiality, debriefing, and minimizing harm that researchers must follow to protect human and animal participants.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Kerala (SCERT) Class 11 Psychology board examination, this chapter typically carries around 8 to 12 marks. Common question types include objective-type questions, short answers differentiating research methods (e.g., observation vs. experiment), and application-level questions requiring identification of independent and dependent variables.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an independent variable and a dependent variable?
An independent variable is the factor that the researcher manipulates or changes, while the dependent variable is the measured outcome or behavior that changes as a result of the independent variable.
Why is psychological enquiry considered scientific?
It follows a systematic process involving objective observation, data collection, analysis, and drawing verifiable conclusions rather than relying on common sense or personal beliefs.
What is the main limitation of the case study method?
Case studies provide deep insights, but their findings cannot be easily generalized to the larger population because they usually focus on a single individual or unique group.
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