Methods of Psychology — Important Questions

Case of Little Hans

Step 1: Sigmund Freud used the case study method extensively for his theoretical work. Step 2: Little Hans was a 5-year-old boy with a phobia of horses whose case Freud studied in detail. Step 3: This case study facilitated Freud in theorising the stages of psychosexual development. Step 4: Anna O is associated with the development of the talking cure (catharsis) by Josef Breuer. Step 5: Phineas Gage and Genie are famous cases in neuroscience and language development respectively, not related to Freud's psychosexual theory.

Independent Variable

Step 1: In an experiment, there are three types of variables: Independent, Dependent, and Extraneous. Step 2: The Independent Variable (IV) is the one that the experimenter deliberately changes or manipulates. Step 3: The Dependent Variable (DV) is the one whose change is measured as a result of the IV's manipulation — it 'depends' on the IV. Step 4: Extraneous variables are all other factors that could potentially interfere with the experiment. Step 5: Therefore, the variable manipulated by the experimenter is the Independent Variable.

Personality traits and psychopathological symptoms

Step 1: A self-report inventory consists of structured statements or questions with response choices. Step 2: The respondent selects an option that best reflects their feelings, opinions or traits. Step 3: Self-report inventories like MMPI are designed to measure personal interests, values, psychopathological symptoms, and personality traits. Step 4: IQ is measured by intelligence tests such as Stanford-Binet or Wechsler scales. Step 5: Academic aptitude tests measure potential in specific academic areas. Therefore, personality traits and psychopathological symptoms is the correct answer for M

Random Sample

Step 1: Sampling is the process of selecting a group from the population for study. Step 2: Random Sampling means every individual in the target population has an equal and independent chance of being chosen. Step 3: A Representative Sample reflects all the characteristics of the population but not everyone has an equal chance of being selected. Step 4: Biased or Purposive Sample means the experimenter deliberately chooses participants based on convenience or to prove a point. Step 5: Equal chance for all members = Random Sample — this is the defining feature of random sampling.