Experimental method
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The document discusses the experimental method in psychology. It notes that experimental psychology refers to work done using experimental methods to study psychological processes. Key aspects of the experimental method include: carefully controlling variables through experimental designs; conducting experiments on living organisms with an experimenter and subject; and using techniques like the control-test method, control-group method, and rotation method. The method allows for objective, precise study but can also be time-consuming and not capture all aspects of behavior. Overall, the experimental method is considered the most scientific way to study behavior in psychology.
Experimental method
- 2. EXPERIMENTAL METHOD • Experimental method is the most scientific method of studying behaviour. • Wilhelm Wundt is considered as the father of experimental psychology.
- 3. EXPERIMENTAL METHOD • Experimental psychology refers to work done by those who apply experimental methods to psychological study and the process that underlies it. • Here the emphasis is on experimentation. • Experimentation consists of objective observation of actions performed under pre-arranged or rigidly controlled conditions.
- 4. ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF EXPERIMENTAL METHOD • Psychological experiments performed in this method essentially require two persons,the experimenter and the subject or the person whose behaviour is to be observed. • Psychological experiments are always conducted on living organisms in contrast to experiments in physical science,which are generally conducted on inorganic or dead subject.
- 5. ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF EXPERIMENTAL METHOD • The key factor in this method is the controlling of the conditions or variables.By this control we can eliminate irrelevant conditions or variables and isolate relevant ones. • In an experimental method there are various experimental designs which is used to control the variables and measure their effect.
- 6. MAIN TECHNIQUES OF EXPERIMENTAL METHOD 1. The control-test method (Method of differences) 2. Control-group method 3. Rotation method
- 7. 1. The control-test method(Method of differences) • In this method we try to differentiate by observing the performance under different conditions. • First we observe under normal conditions and then again with one condition changed. • Only the measures can be taken several times under different conditions.
- 8. 2. Control-group method • Here the two separate groups are taken.They are equated on various traits like age,intelligence and other personality characters. • Then the one group-control group-is given sugar capsules and tested on some intelligence test.At the same time the experimental group is given drug capsules and tested on the same intelligence test. • Then intelligence scores of the group are calculated.
- 9. 3. Rotation method • This method consists in presenting two or more stimulating situations to the experimental subjects in as many sequences as necessary to control the serial effects of fatigue or practice.
- 10. MERITS OF EXPERIMENTAL METHOD • Experimental method is the most systematic procedure of solving problems.The major advantage is the ability of the experimenter to control the application and withdrawal of independent variables. • The findings of experimental method are verifiable by other investigators under identical conditions in which the initial experiment was conducted.
- 11. • It provides objective and precise information about the problems. • It provides innovative ideas for further experimentation. • The experimenter can apply controlled procedure more precisely in laboratory experimentation. • The experimenter can record the dependent variables more precisely. MERITS OF EXPERIMENTAL METHOD
- 12. WEAKNESSES OF EXPERIMENTAL METHOD • All problems of educational psychology cannot be studied by experimental method. • The experimental method is time consuming and costly. • Experimental method in educational psychology stems from the fact that experiments cannot handle too well the patterns of covert behaviour of children in laboratory.
- 13. • An experiment is an observation of an artificially determined pattern of behaviour,so it sets its own limit by setting the experimental situation to study behaviour. • It is not possible to construct tools that will make accurate and sufficiently discriminating measurements of individual differences.(Inappropriate,imprecise and faulty apparatus of psychologists.) WEAKNESSES OF EXPERIMENTAL METHOD
- 14. MAIN STEPS OF THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD • Make an observation. • Form a question.After making an interesting observation,a scientific mind itches to find out more about it. • Form a hypothesis. • Conduct an experiment. • Analyse the data and draw conclusion.
- 15. CONCLUSION • In the experimental method, researchers identify and define variables,formulate a hypothesis,manipulate the variables and collect data on the results. • Extraneous variables are carefully controlled to minimize a potential impact on the outcome of the experiment.
- 16. THANK YOU