Passage Based Questions: Methods of Enquiry in Psychology | Psychology Class 11 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Passage - 1

Direction: Read the following Passage and Answer the Questions.
The second goal of scientific enquiry is prediction of behaviour. If you are able to understand and describe the behaviour accurately, you come to know the relationship of a particular behaviour with other types of behaviours, events, or phenomena. You can then forecast that under certain conditions this particular behaviour may occur within a certain margin of error. For example, on the basis of study, a researcher is able to establish a positive relationship between the amount of study time and achievement in different subjects. Later, if you come to know that a particular child devotes more time for study, you can predict that the child is likely to get good marks in the examination. 

Q1: What is the second goal of scientific inquiry mentioned in the passage?
Ans:

• The second goal of scientific inquiry is the prediction of behavior.
• This goal involves understanding and accurately describing behavior and determining its relationship with other behaviors, events, or phenomena, which allows for forecasting under specific conditions.

Q2: How can understanding the relationship between behavior and other factors lead to prediction?
Ans:

• By understanding how a particular behavior is related to other factors or conditions, researchers can forecast that the behavior may occur under specific circumstances, albeit within a certain margin of error.
• For example, if there is a positive relationship between study time and academic achievement, researchers can predict that a child who spends more time studying is likely to achieve better exam results.

Q3: Could you provide an example of how prediction is applied in a real-life scenario?
Ans: In the passage, an example is given where a positive relationship is established between study time and academic achievement. Researchers can use this relationship to predict that a child who dedicates more time to studying is likely to perform well in examinations.

Passage - 2

Direction: Read the following Passage and Answer the Questions.
The objectivity refers to the fact that if two or more persons independently study a particular event, both of them, to a great extent, should arrive at the same conclusion. For instance, if you and your friend measure the length of a table using the same measuring device, it is likely that both of you would arrive at the same conclusion about its length. The second characteristic of scientific research is that it follows systematic procedure or steps of investigation. It includes the following steps: conceptualisation of a problem, collection of data, drawing conclusions, and revising research conclusions and theory.

Q1: What does objectivity mean in the context of scientific research, as mentioned in the passage?
Ans:

• Objectivity in scientific research means that if two or more individuals independently study the same event, they should arrive at the same conclusion to a significant extent.
• It implies that different researchers, when studying the same phenomenon, should reach consistent conclusions, enhancing the reliability of the research findings.

Q2: What are the systematic steps involved in scientific research, according to the passage?
Ans:

• Scientific research follows a systematic procedure, involving steps such as conceptualization of a problem, collection of data, drawing conclusions based on the data analysis, and revising research conclusions and theories.
• These structured steps ensure that research is conducted in an organized and methodical manner, leading to credible and reliable results.

Q3: Can you provide an example illustrating the concept of objectivity in scientific research?
Ans:

• Yes, for instance, if you and your friend measure the length of a table using the same measuring device, the objectivity principle implies that both of you should arrive at the same conclusion regarding the table's length.
• If the measurement is objective, it should yield consistent results regardless of who is conducting the measurement, enhancing the reliability of the measurement process.

Passage - 3

Direction: Read the following Passage and Answer the Questions.
The second step in scientific research is to collect data. Data collection requires developing a research design or a blueprint of the entire study. It requires taking decisions about the following four aspects: (a) participants in the study, (b) methods of data collection, (c) tools to be used in research, and (d) procedure for data collection. Depending upon the nature of the study, the researcher has to decide who would be the participants (or informants) in the study. The participants could be children, adolescents, college students, teachers, managers, clinical patients, industrial workers, or any group of individuals in whom/ where the phenomenon under investigation is prevalent.

Q1: What is the second step in scientific research, as mentioned in the passage?
Ans: The second step in scientific research is to collect data.

Q2: What are the key aspects that need to be decided upon during the data collection phase?
Ans: During data collection, decisions need to be made about:

• Participants in the study,
• Methods of data collection,
• Tools to be used in research, and
•  Procedure for data collection.

Q3: Who could be potential participants in a study, according to the passage?
Ans:

• Depending on the nature of the study, participants (or informants) could be individuals from various groups such as children, adolescents, college students, teachers, managers, clinical patients, or industrial workers.
• Participants are chosen based on the prevalence of the phenomenon under investigation in those specific groups.

Passage - 4

Direction: Read the following Passage and Answer the Questions.
When observations are done in a natural or real-life settings (in the above example, it was a school in which observation was made), it is called naturalistic observation. In this case the observer makes no effort to control or manipulate the situation for making an observation. This type of observation is conducted in hospitals, homes, schools, day care centers, etc. However, many a times you might need to control certain factors that determine behaviour as they are not the focus of your study.

Q1: What is naturalistic observation in the context of research?
Ans:

• Naturalistic observation refers to observing behavior in real-life settings without any attempt to control or manipulate the situation.
• Observers in naturalistic observation make no effort to interfere with the environment, allowing behavior to unfold naturally.

Q2: Where can naturalistic observation be conducted, according to the passage?
Ans:

• Naturalistic observation can be conducted in various settings, including hospitals, homes, schools, and day care centers.
• It involves observing behavior in everyday contexts where the behavior naturally occurs without any artificial manipulation.

Q3: Why might researchers sometimes need to control certain factors in their observations?
Ans:

• Researchers might need to control certain factors in their observations when those factors are not the focus of the study.
• By controlling specific variables, researchers can isolate the variables they want to investigate, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between those variables without external interference.

Passage - 5

Direction: Read the following Passage and Answer the Questions.
Observation can be done in two ways. One, you may decide to observe the person or event from a distance. Two, the observer may become part of the group being observed. In the first case, the person being observed may not be aware that s/he is being observed. For example, you want to observe the pattern of interaction between teachers and students in a particular class. There are many ways of achieving this goal.

Q1: What are the two ways in which observation can be conducted, according to the passage?
Ans: Observation can be done in two ways:

• Observing the person or event from a distance without the person being aware of being observed.
• The observer becoming part of the group being observed.

Q2: Can you provide an example of observing from a distance, as mentioned in the passage?
Ans: Yes, for instance, if you want to observe the pattern of interaction between teachers and students in a particular class, you can do so from a distance without the individuals being aware that they are being observed.

Q3: What is the advantage of the second method of observation mentioned in the passage?
Ans: The advantage of the second method, where the observer becomes part of the group being observed, is the potential for gaining a deeper understanding of the group's dynamics and interactions by being directly involved in the observed context.

Passage - 6

Direction: Read the following Passage and Answer the Questions.
The advantage of the observation method is that it enables the researcher to study people and their behaviour in a naturalistic situation, as it occurs. However, the observation method is labour intensive, time consuming, and is susceptible to the observer’s bias. Our observation is influenced by our values and beliefs about the person or the event. You are familiar with the popular saying: "We see things as we are and not as things are". Because of our biases we may interpret things in a different way than what the participants may actually mean. Therefore, the observer should record the behaviour as it happens and should not interpret the behaviour at the time of observation itself.

Q1: What is the advantage of the observation method, according to the passage?
Ans: The advantage of the observation method is that it allows researchers to study people and their behavior in naturalistic situations as they occur.

Q2: What are the challenges associated with the observation method, as mentioned in the passage?
Ans:

• The observation method is labor-intensive and time-consuming.
• It is susceptible to the observer's bias, where the observer's values and beliefs about the person or event can influence the interpretation of the observed behavior.

Q3: Why is it important for the observer not to interpret behavior at the time of observation, according to the passage?
Ans:

• It is important for the observer not to interpret behavior at the time of observation because biases can lead to different interpretations than what the participants actually mean.
• To minimize bias, observers should record behavior as it happens without immediate interpretation, ensuring a more objective and accurate analysis of the observed behavior.

Passage - 7

Direction: Read the following Passage and Answer the Questions.
Variables are of many types. We will however focus on independent and dependent variables. Independent variable is that variable which is manipulated or altered or its strength varied by the researcher in the experiment. It is the effect of this change in the variable which the researcher wants to observe or note in the study. In the experiment conducted by Latane and Darley (Box 2.1), the researchers wanted to examine the effect of the presence of other persons on reporting of the smoke. The independent variable was presence or absence of other persons in the room. The variables on which the effect of independent variable is observed is called dependent variable.

Q1: What is an independent variable in a research study, as described in the passage?
Ans:

• The independent variable is the variable that is manipulated or altered by the researcher in the experiment.
• It is the variable whose changes or variations the researcher observes or notes in the study to examine their effects.

Q2: Can you provide an example of an independent variable from the Latane and Darley experiment mentioned in the passage?
Ans:

• In the experiment conducted by Latane and Darley, the independent variable was the presence or absence of other persons in the room.
• The researchers manipulated this variable to examine its effect on the reporting of smoke.

Q3: What is the variable whose changes are observed in response to the independent variable called?
Ans:

• The variable whose changes are observed in response to the independent variable is called the dependent variable.
• It represents the effect of the changes in the independent variable, and researchers study it to understand the relationship between the variables in the experiment.

Passage - 8

Direction: Read the following Passage and Answer the Questions.
The distribution of participants to experimental and control groups was done randomly, a method that ensures that each person has an equal chance of being included in any of the groups. If in one group the experimenter had included only males and in the other group females, the results obtained in the study, could be due to the differences in gender rather than due to experimental manipulation. All relevant variables in experimental studies that might influence the dependent variable need to be controlled.

Q1: Why is random distribution of participants important in experimental studies?
Ans:

• Random distribution ensures that each person has an equal chance of being included in either the experimental or control group.
• This method helps prevent bias and ensures that the groups are comparable at the start of the study, increasing the reliability of the experimental results.

Q2: What potential problem could arise if relevant variables, such as gender, are not controlled in experimental studies?
Ans:

• If relevant variables, like gender, are not controlled, the results obtained in the study might be influenced by these variables rather than the experimental manipulation.
• Controlling all relevant variables is essential to isolate the effect of the independent variable and accurately determine its impact on the dependent variable.

Q3: Why is it important to control all relevant variables in experimental studies?
Ans:

• Controlling all relevant variables ensures that the observed effects are specifically due to the experimental manipulation, allowing researchers to establish a causal relationship between the independent and dependent variables.
• By eliminating the influence of extraneous variables, researchers can confidently attribute changes in the dependent variable to the experimental treatment, enhancing the internal validity of the study.

Passage - 9

Direction: Read the following Passage and Answer the Questions.
The interview method is one of the most frequently used methods for obtaining information from people. It is used in diverse kinds of situations. It is used by a doctor to obtain information from the patient, an employer when meeting a prospective employee, a sales person interviewing a housewife to know why she uses a certain brand of soap. On television, we often see media persons interviewing people on issues of national and international importance.

Q1: What is the interview method primarily used for?
Ans: The interview method is frequently used for obtaining information from people in various situations and contexts.

Q2: Can you provide examples of diverse situations where the interview method is employed?
Ans:

• The interview method is used by doctors to gather information from patients, employers when meeting prospective employees, and salespersons interviewing consumers to understand their choices.
• Media persons also utilize interviews to discuss issues of national and international importance with people, making it a versatile method of gathering information.

Q3: What is the commonality in the use of the interview method across different situations?
Ans:

• The interview method serves as a valuable tool for gathering information across diverse situations, allowing individuals to interact directly, ask questions, and obtain detailed responses.
• Its adaptability and effectiveness make it a widely used technique for collecting data in various fields and contexts.

Passage - 10

Direction: Read the following Passage and Answer the Questions.
There can be two broad types of interviews: structured or standardised, and unstructured or non-standardised. This distinction is based upon the type of preparation we make before conducting the interview. As we have to ask questions during the interview, it is required that we prepare a list of questions before-hand. The list is called an interview schedule. A structured interview is one where the questions in the schedule are written clearly in a particular sequence.

Q1: What are the two broad types of interviews based on the level of preparation made before conducting the interview?
Ans: The two broad types of interviews are structured or standardised interviews and unstructured or non-standardised interviews.

Q2: What is an interview schedule?
Ans:

• An interview schedule is a prepared list of questions that interviewers use during the interview.
• It serves as a guide, ensuring that important topics are covered during the interview process.

Q3: How is a structured interview defined in terms of the interview schedule?
Ans:

• In a structured interview, the questions in the interview schedule are written clearly and follow a specific sequence.
• The structured format ensures consistency in questioning and allows for a systematic approach, making it easier to analyze and compare responses across different interviewees.

Passage - 11

Direction: Read the following Passage and Answer the Questions.
Assessment of individual differences has remained one of the important concerns of psychology from the very beginning. Psychologists have constructed different types of tests for assessment of various human characteristics, such as intelligence, aptitude, personality, interest, attitudes, values, educational achievement, etc. These tests are used for various purposes, such as personnel selection, placement, training, guidance, diagnosis, etc., in multiple contexts including educational institutions, guidance clinics, industries, defence establishments, and so forth.

Q1: What has been one of the important concerns of psychology since its beginning?
Ans: One of the important concerns of psychology from the beginning has been the assessment of individual differences.

Q2: What types of human characteristics are assessed using tests constructed by psychologists?
Ans: Psychologists construct tests to assess various human characteristics such as intelligence, aptitude, personality, interests, attitudes, values, and educational achievement.

Q3: In what contexts are these tests used, according to the passage?
Ans:

• These tests are used for various purposes, including personnel selection, placement, training, guidance, and diagnosis.
• They find applications in multiple contexts, including educational institutions, guidance clinics, industries, and defense establishments.

Passage - 12

Direction: Read the following Passage and Answer the Questions.
Depending upon the mode of administration, psychological tests are divided into individual or group tests. An individual test is administered by the researcher to one person at a time, while group tests can be administered to large number of persons at the same time. In individual tests, the researcher administers the test face to face and remains seated before the test taker and notes down the responses. In the group test, the instructions about answering the items, etc., are written on the test, which the test taker reads and answers the questions accordingly.

Q1: How are psychological tests divided based on the mode of administration?
Ans: Psychological tests are divided into individual tests and group tests based on the mode of administration.

Q2: What is the key difference between individual tests and group tests in terms of administration?
Ans:

• Individual tests are administered by the researcher to one person at a time, with the researcher sitting face to face with the test taker and noting down the responses.
• Group tests, on the other hand, can be administered to a large number of people simultaneously, where the test takers read the instructions and answer the questions on their own.

Q3: How are instructions provided to test takers in individual tests and group tests?
Ans:

• In individual tests, the researcher administers the test face to face and provides instructions directly to the test taker.
• In group tests, the instructions about answering the items are written on the test, which the test taker reads and follows to answer the questions.

Passage - 13

Direction: Read the following Passage and Answer the Questions.
Once the study is over, the participants are provided with necessary information to complete their understanding of research. This is particularly important if deception has been used in the study. Debriefing ensures that participants leave the study in the same physical and mental state as when they entered. It should offer reassurance to the participants. The researcher should make efforts to remove any anxiety or other adverse effects that participants may have felt as a result of being deceived in the course of the study.

Q1: What is the purpose of debriefing in a research study, especially when deception is involved?
Ans:

• Debriefing in a research study is essential, particularly when deception has been used, to provide participants with necessary information to complete their understanding of the research.
• It aims to ensure that participants leave the study in the same physical and mental state as when they entered and offers reassurance to the participants.

Q2: Why is debriefing important in cases where deception has been used during the study?
Ans:

• Debriefing is crucial in cases of deception to remove any anxiety or adverse effects that participants may have experienced due to being deceived during the study.
• It helps in restoring the participants' trust and addresses any concerns or confusion they might have regarding the research process.

Q3: What does debriefing aim to achieve regarding the participants' state after the study?
Ans: Debriefing aims to ensure that participants leave the study in the same physical and mental state as when they entered, providing them with necessary information and reassurance about the research process and the reasons for the deception if it was used.