Methods of studying learners behaviour

1. Introspection Method
2. Observation Method
3. Case Study Method
4. Experimental Method

1. METHODS OF STUDYING LEARNERS BEHAVIOURS Dr. Manju N. D Assistant Professor SVK National College of Education, Balarajurs Road, NES Campus, Shivamogga - 577201.

2. METHODS OF STUDYING LEARNERS PSYCHOLOGY Educational Psychology is the scientific study of the behaviour of the learner in relation to his education / her educational environment. To study the behaviour of the learner, there are different approaches or methods used.

3. Following are the important methods of studying learner behaviour are : 1. Introspection 2. Observation 3. Case study 4. Experimental method

4. INTROSPECTION METHOD

5. INTROSPECTION METHOD Historically introspection is the oldest method of all , which was formerly used in philosophy , and then in psychology to collect data about the conscious experience of the subject . To understand one’s own mental health and the state of mind . This method was developed by the structuralists in psychology who defined psychology as the study of conscious experiences of the individual.

6. The  word  ‘Introspection is made up of two Latin words. “Intro” means within and “ Spection ” means looking . Hence it is a method where an individual is looking within one self .

7. Self-observation. looking within, looking inward . Looking within, observes, analyses and reports his own feelings . Angel considered it as “looking inward”. In introspection, the individual peeps into his own mental state and observes his own mental processes . Stout considers that ‘to introspect‘ is to attend to the working of one‘s own mind in a systematic way .

8. It is a process of self – examination where one perceives, analyses and reports one‘s own feelings. It is said you are introspecting your own mental feelings and examining what is going on in your mental process in the state of happiness. Similarly, you may introspect in a state of anger or fear; etc Introspection is also defined as the notice, which the mind takes of itself .

9. Characteristics of Introspection: Introspection is the self- observation and it has the following characteristics: 1.     The subject gets direct, immediate and intuitive knowledge about the mind . 2.     The subject has actually to observe his own mental processes. He cannot speculate about them .

10. stages of introspection 1.     During the observation of external object, the person beings to ponder over his own mental state. For example While listening to music, which is to him pleasant or unpleasant, he starts thinking about his own mental state. 2.     The person begins to question the working of his own mind . He thinks and analyses: Why has he said such and such thing? Why has he talked in a particular manner? And so on. 3.     He tries to frame the laws and conditions of mental processes: He thinks in terms of improvement of his reasoning or the control of his emotional stages. This stage helps in the advancement of our scientific knowledge.

11. Merits of Introspection Method : 1. It gives information about one’s own self which is difficult by other methods. 2. It is an easy method and needs no equipment. 3. it is simplest, economical and is readily available to the individual. 4. it provides adequate knowledge to know about internal behaviour of an individual or actual facts of mental activities are understood properly. 5. It makes a base for other methods such as experimental and observation method.

12. Demerits of Introspection Method: 1. This method is highly subjective in nature and lacks scientific objectivity. 2. Our mental process is under constant changes so when one attempts to introspect, the sate of mental process disappears and it becomes a retrospect . 4. Introspection can not be employed on children, animals and abnormal propel .

13. 5. There are conflicting reports, as regards the findings collected from different introspectionists . 6. there is no way to prove the reliability of the data . 7. Introspection method Hide facts. 8. it requires highly trained and skilled workers to introspect .

14. OBSERVATION METHOD

15. OBSERVATION METHOD In introspection we can observe the mental process of ourselves only , but in observation, we observe the  mental processes of  others . Hence Observation is the most commonly used method for the study of human behaviour .

16. Literally Observation means looking outside oneself . Facts are collected by observing. In the words of Good, “ Observation deals with the overt behaviour of persons in appropriate situations. ” Observation has been defined as “Measurement without instruments .” Finally observation is Seeing things as they are in their natural setting. Overt behaviour of person in appropriate situations. Measurement without instrument.

17. For example students in a classroom have been labeled as good, fair or poor in achievement and lazy or diligent in study etc. on the basis of observation. Observation is indirect approach to study the mental processes of others through observing their external behaviour . For example if someone frowns, howls, grinds his teeth, closes his fists, you would say that the person is angry by only observing these external signs of his behaviour.

18. Steps of observation method 1. Observation of behaviour. is directly perceiving or observing the behaviour of individuals under study. 2. Recording the behaviour observed . carefully and immediately noted and recorded. Minimum time should be allowed to pass between happening and recording.

19. 3. Analysis and Interpretation of behaviour. After completed observed, they are analyzed objectively and scientifically in order to interpret the behaviour patterns 4. Generalization. Social development and behaviour of children have been described by Child Psychologists on the basis of generalization based on analysis and interpretation of the data gathered through the observation method.

20. TYPES OF OBSERVATION: 1. Natural Observation : Observe the specific behavioral characteristics of children in natural setting. 2. Participant observation : The observer becomes the part of the group, which he wants to observe. It discloses the minute and hidden facts.

21. 3. Non-participant observation. The specific behaviour is observed in natural setting without subjects getting conscious that they are observed by some one. Non-participant observation permits the use of recording instruments. 4. Structured observation: The observer sets up a form and categories in terms of which he wishes  to analyse the problem. The observer always keeps in view a] A frame of reference b] Time units. c] Limits of an act

22. 5. Unstructured observation. is also called as uncontrolled or free observation. the individual is observed when he is in his class, playground or when he is moving about with his friends and class follows without knowing that he is being observed.

23. MERITS: Being a record of actual behaviour of the child, it is more reliable and objective than introspection . It is an excellent source of information about what actually happens in classroom . It is a study of an individual in a natural situation and is therefore more useful than the restricted study in a test situation .

24. The method can be used with children of all ages . Younger the child, the easiest it is to observe him. This method has been found very useful with shy children . It can be used in every situation-physical activities, workshop and classroom situations . It is adaptable to both the individual and the groups .

25. DEMERITS: There is great scope for personal prejudices and bias of the observer . The observers interest, values can distort observation . Records may not be written with hundred percent accuracy as the observations are recorded after the actions are observed. There is some time lag . The observer may get only a small sample to study behaviour . It is very difficult to observe everything that the student does or says . As far as possible observation should be made from several events.

26. 8. It reveals the overt behaviour only- behaviour that is expressed and not that is within . 9. It lacks replicability as each natural situation may occur only once . 10. Records not written with 100% accuracy .

27. CASE STUDY METHOD

28. CASE STUDY METHOD The credit of case study method  was introduced by the English philosopher Frederic Leplay Herbert Spencer adopted it and Healey was the first supporter of this method and studied Juvenile Delinquency . Later on sociologists, Anthropologists, Ethnologists and other researcher were interested in the study of various cultures by case study method . Case study “studying individual in depth” or One individual is examined intensively to find out as much as possible about a certain problem or a issue as it relates to that person.

29. • It is the study of an individual case. • It is usually used for studying the behaviour problems of a maladjusted or deviant individual . It is most often used to investigate the abnormal behavior. In order to prepare a case history of data are taken from many sources for example his or her family history, educational life, medical history and social life . This method is very popular in clinical psychology and life span developmental psychology .

30. According to P.V. Young Case study is a comprehensive study of a social unit, be it a person, a group of persons, an institution, a community or a family . Groode and Hatt .  it is a method of exploring and analyzing the life of a social unit . According to Johoda .  Case study is a small inclusive and intensive study of an individual in which investigators brings to bear their skills and method.

31. case study is specially used in education psychology. It deals in education the following problems; Lack of interest in students Aggressive behaviour in student Day dreaming Poor academic performance Emotional problem Social problems Empathetic understanding Find the problem Establish report Treatment

32. The ‘Case Study’ method deals with the emotional and mental state of an individual . This method is applied to study special behavioural problems of an individual by specially trained teachers, psychologist and psychiatrists . Through this method total information of family background, schooling and also social conditions of the individuals is obtained ; hence it can be called a cumulative record which is of great help in understanding the source of an individual’s fears, anxiety, worry, or any kind of maladjustment .

33. Objective of the case study Method The main objective of this method is to help the individual to adjust better with the environment and gain self confidence to attain higher levels of achievement.

34. Steps in case study: Identification and defining a problem. Determination of the most probable antecedents of the case. Formulation of hypothesis. Verification of hypothesis. Remedial steps. Follow-up of the case.

35. Procedure of Case Study Method Different steps/procedures may be used in the case study method are mentioned below:- 1. Basic preliminary information about the subject’s name, age, sex, parent’s age, education, occupation as well as social status. 2. Proper physical check-up of the individual is done to ascertain whether his/her behavioural problem is due to any disease. Only in the absence of any physical ailment can psychological treatment start.

36. The subject should be very comfortable with the investigator while the latter takes the information. The investigator (teacher or psychologist) should be friendly and the language of collecting data must be simple so that free and frank responses can be available. The investigator must not tire the subject; instead, regular intervals of rest should be given. The method cannot be applied quickly - it may go on for several weeks or months.

37. The behaviour of the individual should be observed in natural setting and working conditions. Doing so will provide correct data which ultimately in most cases, will lead to proper understanding of the root cause of the person’s problems. Special care must be taken in the post treatment period so that there is no recurrence of the problem. The parents and family members and other associates must take care so that the subject can modify his behaviour and prevent maladjustment.

38. Method of Treatment Treatment methods of maladjusted individuals include the following :- Efforts must be made to modify the environmental factors so that the individual can adapt better. If the existing environment cannot be modified then the individual should be physically placed in a different environment which is more congenial for his development. Proper guidance and counseling should be provided to the individual.

39. Different types of therapies should be applied like play therapy, group therapy, psychotherapy etc. by experts . Case study method provides details about the individual’s behaviour, an in-depth study about the root cause of the behavioural problems, and help to provide guidance to modify the behaviour of the subject .

40. Sources of Data for Case Study Personal documents, viz diaries, memories, autobiographies, letters etc of the researcher. Qualification and interest of the researcher. Life history of the respondents. Motives and objectives of the study.

41. Characteristics of case study method Following are the characteristics The number of unit to be studied is small . It studies a social unit deeply and thoroughly . It is qualitative as well as quantitative . It covers sufficient wide cycle of time . It has continuity in nature .

42. Types of Case Studies Enterprise level case study. Organization level case study. Function level case study i.e. marketing, finance, production, IT etc. Success Story. Cases of Failures. Cases regarding mergers and acquisitions. Subject related case studies –Marketing, Finance, HR, etc.

43. MERITS of CASE STUDY: Considers all aspects of the child, highly reliable, suggests remedial measures. It provides comprehensive and complete information about an individuals behaviour in relation to his environment. It is best method for diagnostic study of the cases.

44. It provides information regarding the behavioral problems of the individual and possible remedial measures to overcome the problem. This method is useful in solving problems of backwardness in learning, reading disability, emotional disturbances, isolation and delinquent behaviour .

45. Demerits of Case Study: Time consuming, needs lot of effort, requires technical proficiency. The data or information collected by the individual, parents and his friends may or may not be true. The information is not verifiable and is highly subjective. It needs technically trained person to collect and study human behaviour. The results cannot be generalized and limited in scope.

46. EXPERIMENTAL METHOD

47. EXPERIMENTAL METHOD • Most objective and scientific method for studying behavior . Cause and effect relationship . It is the method, which is responsible for assigning the status of Science to Psychology .  Experiment conducted in a laboratory or classroom or other field situations .

48. In 1879, William Wundt established the first psychological laboratory at Leipzing in Germany. Since then, experimental method in psychology has become popular, Experimental method consists of actions performed under pre-arranged or rigidly controlled conditions. J. W. Best describes, “Experimental research is the description and analysis of what will be, or what will occur under carefully controlled conditions.”

49. Psychological experiments performed in this method essentially require two people ; the experimenter or group of experimenters who perform the experiments and the other is the subject or subjects on whom the experiment is performed. Psychological experiments are always conducted on living organisms. The key factor in this method is the controlling of conditions or variables . The term ‘Variable‘ means that which can be varied or changed . 

50. Steps of experimentation For conducting a scientific experiment the investigator follow the steps given below. Selection of a problem. Defining the problem Formulating the hypotheses. Selecting a appropriate experimental design. Single group design and one group pre-test post test design. Selection of sample. Conducting the experiment and data collection Analysis of data. Verification of hypotheses. Drawing conclusions.

51. Merits of experimental method Experimental method is the most systematic method or getting reliable data. Experimental method enables accurate observations due to controlled conditions. It allows us to establish cause effect relationship between different phenomena. The results obtained are valid and reliable. The findings of the experimental method are verifiable by other experiments under identical conditions.

52. It helps to protect from the subjective opinions. Hence it provides objective information about the problem. It provides adequate information about the problem. In experimental method, experiments are conducted under vigorously controlled conditions. The experimenter can control the application and withdrawal of independent variables. Experimental method increases ones knowledge or psychological facts in child psychology, social and abnormal psychology.

53. Demerits of the method Experimental method is a costly and time consuming method as it requires a laboratory and apparatus to conduct it properly. Experiments are conducted in artificially determined pattern of behaviour. In real life situation it is quite different. It needs specialized knowledge and therefore every teacher cannot be expected to conduct the experiment.

54. The scope is limited. All problems of psychology cannot be studied by this method as we cannot perform experiments for all the problems that may come up in the diverse subject matter of psychology. Accurate measurements, in case of human beings, are never possible. It is difficult to always control the independent variable. Therefore it is not possible to create desired conditions in laboratory. It is not possible to reach certainty in matters of social science s including educational psychology.

55. Thank you….