Question

From the grand theories (e.g., psychoanalytic [Freud, Erikson], behaviorism [Pavlov, Watson, Skinner, Bandura], cognitive constructivism [Piaget]) and the emergent theories (e.g., sociocultural [Vygotsky], humanistic [Maslow, Rogers], evolutionary [Darwin], and systems-ecological (nature/nurture) theories [Bronfrenbrenner]), what research method(s) (e.g., survey, interview, experiment) align well in light of each the theories? Explain your perspective. What strengths/weaknesses to the theory would you need to consider if you choose to research under that theoretical framework for grand theories and emergent theories? Describe options that are available to mitigate the weaknesses.

Answer 1

There are different methods apt for each theories and some theories would require use of multiple methods.

Psychoanalytic theories would require interview method as they deals with repressed unconscious even the father of psychoanalytic perspective Sigmund Freud formed his theory from clinical practices and this was done by asking client questions thus it was similar to an interview.The strength of psychoanalytic perspective is that it can help explain behavior in a different and interesting way but its weaknesses is that we require professional training to explain behavior under this perspective. Training is the best way to mitigate its weaknesses

To understand behaviorism theories the right method would be lab experiments or case studies since behaviorism proposes that behavior is a product of environment and is learned by an individual because of his interaction with environment therefore to understand behavior researcher would have to prove the effect of environment on behavior therefore researcher can use lab experiments like how Pavlov did to understand behavior or he can make use of case studies as case studies give a detailed history of the individual and thus he would also come to understand the environment from which an individual came from how it has affected the individual.Strength of the perspective is that it gives out a scientific explanation of behavior and it shows cause and effect relationship thus validity of research would be higher.The weakness would be that it is costly.To mitigate weakness one can find cheaper alternatives

to understand cognitive constructivism researcher can make use of all research methods as cognitive constructivism understand behaviour as something which comes from environmental interaction and from personal schemas thus all the methods can be used.Cognitive constructivism also gives a cause and effect relationship between environment and behavior and its upper hand over behaviorism is that it also has given importance to personal factors.The weakness of cognitive constructivism is that can be costly to conduct researchers.

To understand Socio-Cultural perspective researcher can make use of all the methods.the strength of this perspective is same of behaviorism and weaknesses is also the same.

To understand humanistic approach interviews and surveys are better as the perspective concentrates on personal factors.Humanistic approach gives a simple but effective explanation of how behavior is formed but its weakness is that it doesn't give importance to environmental and external factors and it can;t be clearly called scientific

Evolutionary theory is similar to behaviorism and to understand it researcher can use experimental studies.The strength of the perspective is its scientific nature,it weakness is that it doesn't give importance to internal factors.

The systems-ecological theory also gives importance to external factors and experiments ,case studies, and observation method can be used to do research.The strength of this perspective is its ability to explain behavior in a scientific way and it also gives importance to biological factor .Its weakness is its lack of importance it gives to personal factors.