Page 44 - NAMAH-Oct-2022

Perspective

The Third Method of Research in Psychology

Manoj Pavithran

Abstract
Research in psychology, these days, are predominantly following the objective scientific
method and its underlying worldview of materialism. While this method has its place, the
very method limits the scope of our understanding and the perspectives we can get through
it. On the other hand, there are other methods of research, particularly Vedic, that are hardly
known or used these days, methods that rely on higher-order cognitive faculties. This paper
is an attempt to discern between three different methods of research to show the need for
understanding and using the Vedic or Yogic method of research in psychology that can give
us a method appropriate for the domain of research.

scientific, is now validating itself through
objective scientific research with its methods
of hypothesis, measurement, data collection,
analysis and confirmation. While it is self-
evident that psychological experiences are
subjective and fluid and won’t easily yield
to the demands of measurements, there is
nevertheless an objective side to the subjective
experience that is measurable.

The brain’s and the body’s biophysics and
chemistry are within reach of measurable
Fluttering Flag physics and chemistry and provide objective
correlates with studying subjective phenomena.
Advancing the frontiers of knowledge requires Neuroscience is making rapid progress with
methods of research that are appropriate for measurable objective data correlating with
the domains of knowledge being explored. subjective human experience and so are the
Research in psychology, to be considered modern insights into biochemistry where

44