Foundations of Education

Lecture 12
Methods of Educational Psychology
What Do You Think About This Picture?

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1-Introspection Method

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•The term
introspection is
derived from
two words
“intro” and
“spection”.

•‘Intro’ means
“within” and
‘spection’
means
“looking” or •Thus introspection means “looking
“observing.” within” or “observing within” one self to
experience one’s own mental state.
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Introspection
Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) established first
Psychology laboratory at the University of Leipzig in
Germany.
He defined Psychology as the:

Science of
Consciousness

Thus said that INTROSPECTION can best explains the

consciousness.
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Introspection
Informally
examining our own internal thoughts and feelings.
When we reflect on our thoughts, emotions, and memories and
examine what they mean, we are engaged in introspection.

Introspectionis the oldest method that was known to the early

psychologists.

Anindividual looks within, observes, analyses and reports his

own feelings.

For example, when in a state of anger or anxiety, one may be

asked to determine by one’s own observation what one sensed,
thought or felt at that time

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Merits of the Method of Introspection

Itis the most economical method and it

does not involve any apparatus or
laboratory for its use.
This method can be used at anytime and
everywhere.

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Demerits of the method of Introspection

Data collected through this method is

highly subjective.
There is ample scope for the individual to
hide facts

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Example 1
Mr. Akram is a Physics lecturer in a college.  In last semester, some
of his brightest students scored very poorly. 

Mr. Akram knew that these students  had the potential and that there
had to be a reason behind their poor performance.

Also, it worried him that they no longer attended classes regularly.

He decided that he needed to talk to them. He called them into his
room, and made sure that they were all comfortable before starting
his interrogation.

He asked them relevant questions that forced them to reflect on their
behaviour and he finally discovered the reason behind the problem. 
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Example 2

A head of the company invited all his employers to see the face of a dead
person who was the hurdle in their promotion. They all gathered at one
place and boss ordered them to go in a room one by one and see the face
of this dead person. They all did this but when they entered in a room they
found a mirror in front of them, It means the hurdle in their promotion
was they themselves not others!
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2-Observation Method

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 Observation Method
Observation is one
of the oldest
techniques that man
has made use of. It
is defined as seeing
things as they are in
their natural setting.
It does not mean
seeing things as they
were or as they
should be.

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Example
Think of a classroom,  where  learners are
doing some classwork.  A teacher is present in
the classroom.  At regular intervals, teacher 
takes round in the classroom  and notes down
something

She is carefully observing each learner. She is

also noting down something. There may be
some purpose in her mind while doing this.
She is following the observation method. 
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Types of observation
Participant Observation
In participant observation the observer becomes a part of the
group that  he/she wants to observe. One of the advantages of
participant observation is that we can gain access to
situations that would otherwise remain closed, and therefore
get a better idea of the experience under investigation. If
people know that they are being studied they are likely  to
alter their behaviour to present themselves in a more
desirable manner.

Non-participant Observation:
The observer simply observes the activities but doesn’t take
part in them

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Types of observation
Structured Observation: Structured observation starts
with relatively specific formulations. The observer in
advance set up categories in terms of which he wishes to
analyze the problem. The observer always keeps in
view;
A frame of reference
Time units
Limits of an act

Unstructured Observation: It mainly takes the form of

participant observation. The observer takes the role of a
member of the group.
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Merits of the method of Observation

Observation can be used with children of

all ages.
It does not require any special tool or
equipment.
It is adaptable both to the individual and
groups.

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Demerits of the method of Observation

There is a great scope for personal

prejudices and bias of the observer.
It reveals the overt behavior only.

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3- Experimental Method
It is the most objective and scientific
method for studying behavior. The
investigator studies the cause and effect
relationship regarding human behavior by
performing experiments. Experiment may
be conducted in a laboratory or a
classroom or other field situations.

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