Approximate reading time: 6 minutes

Asking the Right Questions: Why? What? and How?

In psychology, the questions “Why?”, “What?”, and “How?” are foundational. They guide us to explore behaviours, observe details, and understand processes. This questioning approach is essential for uncovering insights into human nature and behaviour.

The Importance of “Why?”

At the heart of psychology lies a simple yet profound question: “Why?” This isn’t just about curiosity; it’s the cornerstone of psychological inquiry that we use to understand human nature.

As you begin your study of psychology, you’ll discover that “Why?” is more than a question. It’s a deliberate and strategic approach to thinking — an inquiring mindset. It represents a practice of curiosity, a keen interest in the world, and an acknowledgment of our right, perhaps even responsibility, to ask “why.” This inquiring mindset is crucial for anyone aspiring to be a psychology professional; it drives us to look beyond the surface and uncover deeper meanings and motivations behind human actions and thoughts.

But “Why?” doesn’t stand alone. It’s complemented by two equally important questions: “What?” and “How?”

“What?”: The Art of Observation

The question “What?” calls for our careful, detailed, and unbiased observation. It requires us to gather facts and see the world as it is, not as we assume it to be. In psychology, this means observing behaviour, emotions, thoughts, and interactions with an open mind. This textbook will guide you in building observational skills, teaching you to notice the subtleties and complexities of human behaviour. Without a clear understanding of “what” is happening, we cannot hope to answer “why” it happens. For example, “What happens physically, emotionally and mentally just before someone breaks out into a nervous laugh?” must come before we can answer, “Why do some people laugh when they are nervous?”

“How?”: Understanding Mechanisms

The question, “How?” demands our exploration of the processes and mechanisms that explain all the phenomena that we can observe. It compels us to delve into the underlying workings and understand the precursors (i.e., what must be present before anything can happen), the step-by-step sequence of events, and the cause and effect — not just as it appears on the surface but at every level. In psychology, answering “how” often requires expert training and sometimes the use of specialised technology to reveal the processes of the human mind and body. This textbook will introduce you to some of the methods and tools psychology professionals use to understand how thoughts, feelings and behaviours are learned, processed, and expressed. From following a long chain of neural pathways to mapping family dynamics and social influences, you’ll learn how it is that many variables and contexts come to shape us.

Learning Activity: Flex your Question-Storming Muscles

Here are some questions to get you started asking your own “why, what, and how” questions and growing your question-storming “muscles.” First, read these sample questions. Then set your timer for two minutes and write down as many psychology-related questions (that you do not currently know the answer to) as you can think of in that time. Don’t censor yourself. Don’t let your fingers pause. Just go. Reset your timer and repeat three times: once for “Why?” once for “What?” and once for “How?” Share your questions with someone. What questions did you like the best? What questions made you laugh? What questions did you most want to know the answers to?

Why

• Why can’t we tickle ourselves?
• Why do we yawn when we see someone else yawning?
• Why do we enjoy watching scary movies?
• Why do some people have a fear of clowns?
• Why do we find it hard to resist kittens and puppies?

… Your turn. You have 2 minutes. Go!

What

• What causes us to laugh?
• What causes us to have a “favourite colour”?
• What goes on in our minds when we are daydreaming?
• What causes “brain freeze” when we eat something cold too quickly?
• What causes our faces to scrunch up just before we sneeze?

… Your turn. You have 2 minutes. Go!

How

• How can we suddenly remember a forgotten memory out of nowhere?
• How does sleep deprivation affect exam grades?
• How can certain scents change our mood?
• How do we develop a”sense of direction” and navigate spaces?
• How does a song get stuck in your head and manage to play on an endless loop?

… Your turn. You have 2 minutes. Go!

Your Role: Embracing Why? What? and How?

As you read through this textbook, remember that you have a crucial role to play. Beyond learning from theorists and researchers, you need to bring your own ‘Why? What? and How?’ questions to the discussion. Let these questions be a constant companion in your exploration of psychology. These are the kinds of personal questions that can lead to profound psychological discoveries. Look for patterns, question social systems, and recognise injustices. Remember, every question you ask, every curiosity you pursue adds to the field of psychology.

If you are curious, you can watch the three videos in Supplement IP.2 to discover some of the quirkier questions and answers in psychology.

Section Summary

In this section, we explore the importance of questions in leading psychological inquiry. “Why?” allows us to dig deeper into the causes of human behaviours. “What?” emphasises the importance of observation, urging us to collect unbiased facts to accurately perceive the world around us. “How?” allows us to learn the mechanisms and processes behind observable phenomena.

Image Attributions

Figure IP.1. Photo by Min An is licensed under the Pexels license.