3. Experimental Method

mentally ill, animals, and unconscious patients. The observer may visit natural settings, situations, and so on to obtain objective data.

Because the person being observed is unaware that he is being observed in natural settings, his behavior will be natural/original. As a result, this method is also known as "naturalistic observation" or "objective observation."

This is an excellent and practical method. However, there are some drawbacks here:

 There is a possibility of subjective reporting, and observer prejudices may creep in. To observe natural behavior, the observer may need to invest more time, energy, and money.

3. Experimental Method:

This is the most objective approach to studying behavior. Experiments are carried out in laboratories under controlled conditions in this method. The

independent variable's effect on the dependent variable is typically studied in experiments.

As a result, there will be two independent and dependent variables. There will be some other variables

the experimenter does not want, and their interference may affect the experiment results.

Such variables must be managed. These undesirable variables are called 'extraneous' or 'intervening' variables. Experiments are carried out under controlled conditions to limit the impact of these extraneous variables.

Examples: The effect of music on blood pressure levels can be studied in laboratories. Music is the

independent variable, and blood pressure is the dependent variable. All other sounds other than music are extraneous

variables that must be controlled to assess the effect of

only music. Similarly, various drugs, foods, and so on can be studied.

Experiments can also be carried out with two groups: the experimental group and the control group. In such experiments, the independent variable is only applied to the experimental group, while the control group remains constant.

Otherwise, the experiment can be performed on the same group under two conditions: experimental and controlled.