Methods of Research in Psychology

The method means a set of methods and methods by which the goal set in the study is achieved. The main goal of psychology is the study of the human psyche, therefore all methods of this science are aimed at achieving this goal.

Since several directions are singled out in psychological science, separate research methods in psychology are distinguished in different groups: practical, applied, and research. This classification of research methods in psychology takes into account the nature of research work, during which certain methods are applied.

For a long time psychology was considered a philosophical science. Therefore, there was an opinion that it is possible to know the inner world only subjectively, through introspection, observing the person, describing notable phenomena, and then making conclusions on the basis of these data. Therefore, the first methods of research in psychology were exclusively subjective, insufficiently reliable and inaccurate. In connection with this, psychology did not resort to experiment for a long time.

Over time, the subject of psychological science has changed. The main task of psychology was the study of mental activity, which is peculiar to man as a person. Mental processes were seen as tools through which a person is oriented in reality, knows and perceives it. To study the processes of the psyche began to use the method of observing the behavior of people in natural conditions or experimental situations. It was in connection with this that new methods of research in psychology were put into circulation.

To these methods, above all, was the method of structural analysis. It consists in the fact that a task is set before a person, and a psychologist observes and tracks the ways of solving it, analyzing the structure of mental activity. This method is complex and requires auxiliary techniques, direct or indirect.

The experimental genetic method is reduced to studying the mechanism of the formation of the mental process by observing the person in different situations.

An experimentally pathological method is used to examine the personality psyche that has undergone pathological changes.

Along with such complex and capacious methods, there are also short-term research methods in psychology. These include psychological tests that are designed for qualitative and quantitative assessment of the psyche.

Psychology examines very diverse, complex and unique phenomena that are difficult to learn. In the methods of its research, the methods of the most diverse sciences are integrated: philosophy, sociology, physics, computer science, mathematics, cybernetics, medicine, physiology, biology, history, etc.

In the second half of the twentieth century, psychology, through the application of methods of exact and natural sciences, separated from the philosophical into an independent science, and in this connection began to develop actively. Slim scientific theories began to appear. The introduction of laboratory experiments and measurements into psychological research has helped to turn psychology into a more accurate, practically useful science.

Since the late 80's. XIX century. In psychology, various technical devices were used to carry out experimental studies in laboratory conditions. First, mechanical devices were used, then, from the beginning of the twentieth century - electric, today - electronic, video, radio and other advanced equipment.

Do not lose today, its value and traditional methods of collecting information: self-observation, observation, survey. They help to catch what is beyond the power to understand the instruments. Very popular tests, which are specialized methods of psychodiagnostic examination. With their help, the psychology of various people is studied, comparative and differentiated estimates are given. These methods of research in educational psychology, for example, are used very widely and show high efficiency.