3.0 Observations Flashcards
What is an observation?
A type of research method where the researcher watches their participants to try and come to conclusions about behaviour
What is a laboratory observation
Carried out in an artificial setting
What is a natural observation?
Take pace in the setting or context where the target behaviour would usually occur
What does overt and covert mean?
Overt- participants know they are being observed
Covert- participants do not know they are being observed
What does a behaviour code do?
Helps to make sure that the data being collected is valid
What is participant obeservation?
The observer embeds themselves in another group
What is non-participant observation?
There is no direct contact between the observer and those being observed
3 reasons why psychologists use observations?
To study a particular behaviour
To study natural behaviour in a natural setting- more realistic
Study behaviours- when it would be unethical to manipulate/when behaviours can’t be manipulated by the researcher
Why is a behaviour checklist conducted?
So that the researcher knows exactly what to look out for
Limitations of observations: observer bias?
The observers interpretation of a situation may be affected by their expectations
Can overcome observer bias by having more than one observer
Limitations of observations: causal relationships?
Cannot demonstrate causal relationships
Strengths of natural observations?
High ecological validity— findings can be generalised to everyday life as there is no outside interference from the researcher
Limitations of natural observations?
Cannot be replicated to check the reliability as the researcher is not in control of variables
There may be more uncontrolled confounding/extraneous variables that make it more difficult to judge behaviour patterns
Strengths of controlled observations (lab)?
Can be replicated to check reliability- the researcher is in control of variables
Limitations of controlled observations (lab)?
Low ecological validity- the researcher records behaviour in a manipulated environment- sometimes with outside interference from the researcher
Strengths of covert observations?
Investigator effects are unlikely- PPTS behaviour will be genuine
No demand characteristics- no social desirability bias
Increases internal validity
Limitations of covert observations?
Less ethical- PPTS are not aware they are taking part- cannot give informed consent
Strengths of overt observations?
Possible to inform PPTS in advance and gain informed consent
Limitations of overt observations/
Behaviour can be distorted through investigator effects- the PPTS changes the behaviour through social desirability bias
Strengths of PPTS observations?
The researcher can obtain in-depth data as they are in close proximity to the PPTS- unlikely to overlook/miss any behaviour
Limitations of PPTS observations?
The researchers presence might influence the PPTS behaviour due to evaluation apprehension
Strengths of non-participant observations?
Investigator effects and evaluation apprehension are less likely as the researcher is not visiable
What is the term used when the line between a researcher and a PPTS becomes blurred?
Going native
Strengths of non-PPTS observations: going native?
Non-PPTS observations allow the researcher to maintain a distance from their PPTS- less danger of going native
Limitations of non-PPTS behaviour?
Due to a lack of proximity the researcher might overlook/ miss behaviours of interest
They may lose the valuable insight to be gained in a PPTS observation as they are too far removed from the people/behaviour they are studying
