PSYCHOLOGY

Introduction to Psychology-Wrap Up

Introduction to Psychology-Wrap Up

Study of Human Behavior

I would use a survey method, for the following reasons:

1. Surveying is one of the easiest ways to obtain data on human behavior. It's much easier (and quicker) to create and distribute a survey than it is to conduct a case study, naturalistic observation, or an ethnography.

2. Surveys are anonymous, allowing respondents (on average) to be more honest with their answers. This is important, especially when dealing with issues like alcohol use and violence, which are personal and often touchy. When humans know their behavior is being observed by a researcher (like in a case study), they often alter their behavior to make it appear more socially acceptable, which creates poor data.

3. Surveying allows you to analyze your data statistically, making generalization of your results much easier (which is important in social science research). This could also make your research more attractive to social science journals that publish these types of studies.

Strength and Weakness

In addition, human behaviors are complex as well as unique to each individual (Coburn, 2006). Different culture, race, living environment and family history will lead to the formation of different behaviors. Similarly, common sense explanation varies in different culture, society and individual, and therefore, actually is not the same to everyone in our society. How can a foreigner understand all the traditional attitudes and values of a Chinese? Likewise, it is not easy for us to comprehend all the behaviors of the foreigners. As a result, there will be bias if we rely on common sense explanation as it is too generalized and oversimplified without really investigating the underlying factors behind the scene.

Unlike social science theories, “common sense” is held by everyone (Fosshage, 2004). Therefore, people can draw on this knowledge immediately when they want to analysis behavior of the others and giving a faster response to the situation. However, the strength of common sense is also its greatest weakness. In many cases, common sense explanation cannot give us a satisfactory answer because it has oversimplified the circumstance.

Ethical Considerations

Psychologists work to develop a valid and reliable body of scientific knowledge based on research. They may apply that knowledge to human behavior in a variety of contexts. In doing so, they perform many roles, such as researcher, educator, diagnostician, therapist, supervisor, consultant, administrator, social interventionist, and expert witness. Their goal is to broaden knowledge of behavior and, where appropriate, to apply it pragmatically to improve the condition of both the individual and society.

Psychologists respect the central importance of freedom of inquiry and expression in research, teaching, and publication. They also strive to help the public in developing informed judgments and choices concerning human behavior. This Ethics Code provides a common set of values upon which psychologists build their professional and scientific work (Roth, 2006).

Negative and Positive Reinforcement

In psychology, reinforcement refers to the procedure of presenting or removing a stimulus to maintain or increase the likelihood of a behavioral response. (A stimulus is something that causes a ...