Métodos de la psicología - Parte 1 de 2

Main ideas and concepts (methods of psychology)

• Psychology as a science
  • Psychology studies behavior using scientific hypotheses and empirical testing, but it uses psychological methods rather than “the scientific method” in the strict sense.
  • It aims to explain what, how, and why of behavior.
  • Psychology (as presented) uses three main empirical methods:
    • Descriptive
    • Experimental
    • Correlational

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What “method” means (etymology and definition)

• “Method” is explained as coming from Greek roots meaning approximately “to reach an end” (arrival/goal + path).
• A method is:
  • a set of procedures and thematic steps
  • followed strictly, correctly, and responsibly
  • systematic and ordered (there’s a sequence of steps)
• The method is meant to control/manage variables that can influence the sought results.
• It is grounded in observable, perceptible, measurable facts from the natural world.

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Methodology / list of instructions (detailed)

1) Descriptive method (what it does and how)

• Goal: Describe behavior by listing characteristics.
• Key rule: The psychologist does not manipulate variables or influence what is being studied.
• Core procedure: Observation and recording behavior.
  • Observation can be:
    • Outward observation (observing external behavior)
    • Inward observation via introspection
      • Introspection is presented as “attentive and systematic observation” of oneself: one’s resources, strengths, and weaknesses.

Introspection (limits and reliability concerns)

• The video claims introspection is the only direct method because it directly accesses consciousness.
• However, it is not reliable because the person can deceive themselves, including:
  • lying
  • disguising
  • simulating
  • concealing

Scope limitation (who it applies to)

• Not applicable to:
  • children
  • the mentally ill
  • animals
• Said to apply only to normal adults, who (as argued) may still disguise/countertruth.

Distinction: observation vs. “extraction” vs. naturalistic observation

• The video distinguishes:
  • Extraction: observation in an artificial environment (laboratory) with controlled conditions
  • Naturalistic observation: observation in people’s real natural environment without laboratory control

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2) Interview method

• Goal: Understand problems affecting the person.
• How it works: A conversation between two or more people with a diagnostic purpose.
• Key rule: Questions are directed toward a goal, not asked randomly.

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3) Psychometrics (psychological testing)

• Meaning: “mind + measurement” (tests as measurement instruments).
• How it’s done:
  • Uses psychological tests to measure mental capacity indirectly and approximately.
• Important principle: No test is presented as direct and exact; all are indirect and approximate.

Scientific quality criteria for tests

To be considered scientific, a test must have at least two characteristics:

• Validity

  • Definition: Measures what it is supposed to measure.
  • Examples:
    • If designed to measure intelligence, it must measure intelligence (and not other traits).
    • If designed to measure personality, it must measure personality (and not intelligence).

• Reliability

  • Definition: Produces stable, consistent scores that do not change over time.
  • Example logic:
    • If an IQ is 120 today, it should remain essentially the same in the near future / years later.
    • If it constantly changes, the test is not reliable (as stated).

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4) Clinical method (diagnosis support)

• What it is: Applying psychological tests and interviews to develop a diagnosis of the person’s problem.

Trust and relationship requirements

• The psychologist must create:
  • trust
  • security
  • unconditional positive regard
• This relational climate is called the therapeutic/pre-psychologist relationship (as named in the subtitle).

Empathy (required skill)

• The psychologist should achieve:
  • empathy: “put themselves in the other person’s shoes,” to feel and see as the client does.

What to avoid: transference and countertransference

• Transference

  • Feelings the patient/client has toward the psychologist.
  • Example: the patient may see the psychologist like a parent (father/mother) or develop romantic feelings.

• Countertransference

  • Feelings the psychologist has toward the patient/client.

• Rule emphasized: Both should be avoided because they bias/contaminate the therapeutic relationship, making it ineffective.

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5) Evolutionary / developmental method (time-based designs)

• The video mentions:
  • evolutionary psychology
  • developmental psychology
• It claims the method is based on time and may be implemented as:

Longitudinal method

• Used when there is sufficient budget and time.
• Studies the same sample across multiple periods of time.
• Example idea: studying how children learn English from early grades across many years.

Cross-sectional method

• Used when there isn’t enough time or budget.
• Studies different samples of subjects of different ages at one point.
• Described as a “single moment” comparison (different ages/samples rather than the same group over time).

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Speakers / sources featured

• The narrator/presenter (unnamed)
• Sigmund Freud (referred to as “the father of psychoanalysis,” credited with inaugurating the clinical method)
• “Guys” / audience addressed directly (no distinct speaker identity; part of the presenter’s delivery)