Research

Methodology
Unit -1
 01
What are
theories?
Theories
● It is an framework for explaining human mind, thought and behaviour.
● Defined as a result of analysis.
● They are proven scientifically with evidence
● It is coherent explanation or interpretation of one or more phenomena
● It is formulated to explain, predict, and understand phenomena and, in many
cases, to challenge and extend existing knowledge within the limits of critical
bounding assumptions.
● They inspire future research
● They can adapt and evolve
● A psychological theory has two key components: It must describe a behaviour.
It must make predictions about future behaviours.
 Characteristics of theories
● Based on a hypothesis.

● Back by evidence.

● Testable.

● Based on a series of assumptions or principles that define a way of

thinking of behaviour - what the IB calls an “approach.”
Biological Theories
Based on the
assumption that
human behaviour has
its roots in
physiological processes.
Cognitive Theories
Based on the
assumption that the
way we perceive and
think about the world
and ourselves affects
our behaviour.
Sociocultural Theories
Based on the
assumption that our
behaviour is
influenced by other
people and the
environment.
 Freudian theory
• The theory that of
“projection.”
• Example: That
people who are
homophobic are
actually struggling
with their own
sexuality.
 Freudian theory II
• Dreams are the
window to the
unconscious.
• Dreams are where
we can fulfil wishes
that we are not able
to fulfil in real life.
 Freudian theory III
• The concept of the
Freudian slip
(parapraxis).

• Language errors are

linked to anxiety or the
desire for wish fulfilment.
What are
theories?
Quiz
 Evaluating Theories
A psychological theory has two key components: (1) It must describe a
behaviour and (2) make predictions about future behaviours.
When evaluating theories, we can do so with a TEACUP in hand, because a good
theory is:

● Testable: A good theory has to be falsifiable. If we cannot test it, it is not a

good theory.
● Empirical support: A good theory has evidence to support it. Good empirical
support is not from a highly artificial situation and it is reliable (the evidence
can be replicated).
● Application: A good theory can be applied to many different situations or it
improves a very specific behaviour (for example, it alleviates depression).
·
 Evaluating Theories
● Clearly defined variables: A good theory makes sure that its variables are clearly
defined so that they can be reliably measured.
● Unbiased: A good theory does not show bias toward a gender or culture. Many early
theories in psychology were androcentric (that is, the research was done on and
applied only to men) or ethnocentric (that is, the research was very culturally biased,
focused only on Western culture).
● Predicts behaviour: A good theory does not just describe what is happening, it
predicts behaviour. If a theory simply labels behaviours but does not predict when or
why a person might demonstrate that behaviour with any reliability, then the theory has
low predictive validity.

·
 Activity
Use the freudian theory from the PDF one for each group and evaluate it using TEACUP method
and summarize in the class

The PDF is uploaded on the teams file section of Psychology class

1. Dynamic Theory of Personality: Id, Ego, Superego

2. The Oedipus Complex
3. The Psychosexual Stages

Timeline to discuss 10 mins in group (Breakout rooms)

What is research?
● Scientific inquiry

● Systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of data to generate new knowledge and

answer a certain question or solve a problem

● Systematic investigation
Think about these questions
● What role does the therapist’s personal opinions play on the treatment of his/her patients?

● How many people who witness domestic violence understand how it affects their current

relationships?

● How does witnessing domestic violence impact a child’s romantic relationships in adulthood?
Types of research methods
 Qualitative Research
● Is understood more holistically. Obtained knowledge is not a universal law,
but it is deeper (richer) in the sense that a particular case.
● Human experiences, interpretations, meanings
● More subjective (the researcher is included in the studied reality). The
researcher is an integral part of the procedure and a “tool of
measurement”.

TYPES:
Observation
Interview
Case study
Quantitative Research
● Facts are studied using statistical methods.

● Behavioural manifestations (operationalizations- turning abstract concepts into measurable

observations)

● More objective (the researcher is eliminated from the studied reality)

TYPES

● Experiment

● Quasi-experiment

● Correlational study
Applications
Quantitative research is used when you want to

confirm or test something (A theory or hypothesis)

Qualitative research is used when you want to

understand something (Concepts,thoughts and

experiences.
 Experiment
Hypotheses: are testable statements about the relationship between two variables. Hypotheses
are based on observation, research, and theory and are not random guesses.

Variables: A variable is any factor that can take on different values. It is the opposite of a constant.

1. In research, variables can be manipulated, controlled, or measured.

2. There are two basic kinds of variables in research:

a. Independent variables (hypothesized causes) are variables that the researcher manipulates
or selects to test the hypothesis that the variable leads to a change.
b. Dependent variables (hypothesized effects) are outcome or performance measures used to
determine the effect of the independent variable.

Example: Give caffeine in varying amounts to different groups of employees and measure their
reaction time
Caffeine- IV Changing the amount of caffeine each group gets (Manipulate or change)
Reaction time-DV Reaction time changes in response to IV i.e caffeine. (Measure)
 Group Activity- 15-20 mins
Pare down the Broad Research topics/ideas into testable experiment

Instructions for the activity:

1. Formulate the Hypothesis-- Do some online research on the topic

2. Identify and label the variables (IV, DV)

Research topics/ideas
a. Does TV cause aggression?
b. Is eyewitness testimony accurate?
c. Are athletes judged differently based on their ethnicity?

Post group discussion, one member of the group will present it to the class
Assignment
● Reading: https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/quasi-experimental-design/

● (Read https://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-hypothesis.html)

● Watching a youtube video: Understand Variables for conceptual clarity

https://youtu.be/_VdOB4JJE_8

● Filling in the worksheet.

References
● https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-theo
ry-and-vs-research/
● https://saylordotorg.github.io/text_research-methods-in-psych
ology/s08-theory-in-psychology.html
● https://www.verywellmind.com/the-purpose-of-psychology-t
heories-2795084
● https://iep.utm.edu/th-th-co/
 Thanks!
Do you have any questions?
Reach out at
juhi.bhatt@oakridge.in

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