7.1: Observational techniques

Question 1

Observations involve doing what?

Answer 1

Observations involve:
1. Watching
2. Recording
behaviour

Question 2

Observations involve watching and recording behaviour, for example what?

Answer 2

Observations involve watching and recording behaviour, for example children in a playground

Question 3

Observations involve watching and recording behaviour, for example children in a playground.
Most observations are what?

Answer 3

Most observations are naturalistic

Question 4

Observations involve watching and recording behaviour, for example children in a playground.
Most observations are naturalistic, which means that they what?

Answer 4

Most observations are naturalistic, which means that they occur in real-world settings

Question 5

Observations involve watching and recording behaviour, for example children in a playground.
Most observations are naturalistic, which means that they occur in real-world settings, but they can what?

Answer 5

Most observations are naturalistic, which means that they occur in real-world settings, but they can occur under controlled conditions

Question 6

Observations involve watching and recording behaviour, for example children in a playground.
Most observations are naturalistic, which means that they occur in real-world settings, but they can occur under controlled conditions, for example what?

Answer 6

Most observations are naturalistic, which means that they occur in real-world settings, but they can occur under controlled conditions, for example Milgram’s (1963) obedience study

Question 7

How many main types of observation are there?

Answer 7

There are 2 main types of observation:

1. Participant observation
2. Non-participant observation

Question 8

There are 2 main types of observation - Participant observation and non-participant observation.
Participant observation involves what?

Answer 8

Participant observation involves observers becoming actively involved in the situation being studied to gain a more ‘hands-on’ perspective

Question 9

There are 2 main types of observation - Participant observation and non-participant observation.
Participant observation involves observers becoming actively involved in the situation being studied to gain a more ‘hands-on’ perspective, for example what?

Answer 9

Participant observation involves observers becoming actively involved in the situation being studied to gain a more ‘hands-on’ perspective, for example Zimbardo’s (1973) prison simulation study

Question 10

There are 2 main types of observation - Participant observation and non-participant observation.
Non-participant observation involves what?

Answer 10

Non-participant observation involves observers not becoming actively involved in the behaviour being studied

Question 11

There are 2 main types of observation - Participant observation and non-participant observation.
Non-participant observation involves observers not becoming actively involved in the behaviour being studied, for example what?

Answer 11

Non-participant observation involves observers not becoming actively involved in the behaviour being studied, for example Ainsworth’s (1971) Strange Situation study

Question 12

There are 2 main types of observation - Participant observation and non-participant observation.
Observations can also be what?

Answer 12

Observations can also be:

1. Covert
2. Overt

Question 13

There are 2 main types of observation - Participant observation and non-participant observation.
Observations can also be covert and overt.
Covert observations are where what?

Answer 13

Covert observations are where participants remain unaware of being observed

Question 14

There are 2 main types of observation - Participant observation and non-participant observation.
Observations can also be covert and overt.
Covert observations are where participants remain unaware of being observed, for example what?

Answer 14

Covert observations are where participants remain unaware of being observed, for example Festinger’s (1957) study

Question 15

There are 2 main types of observation - Participant observation and non-participant observation.
Observations can also be covert and overt.
Overt observations are where what?

Answer 15

Overt observations are where participants are aware that they are being observed

Question 16

There are 2 main types of observation - Participant observation and non-participant observation.
Observations can also be covert and overt.
Overt observations are where participants are aware that they are being observed, for example what?

Answer 16

Overt observations are where participants are aware that they are being observed, for example Zimbardo’s (1973) prison simulation study

Question 17

Advantages of observational techniques:

1. High what?

Answer 17

An advantage of observational techniques is high external (ecological) validity

Question 18

Advantages of observational techniques:
1. High external (ecological) validity.
Since observations usually what, participants do what?

Answer 18

Since observations usually occur in natural settings, participants behave naturally

Question 19

Advantages of observational techniques:
1. High external (ecological) validity.
Since observations usually occur in natural settings, participants behave naturally and so results can be what?

Answer 19

Since observations usually occur in natural settings, participants behave naturally and so results can be generalised to other settings

Question 20

Advantages of observational techniques:
1. High external (ecological) validity.
Since observations usually occur in natural settings, participants behave naturally and so results can be generalised to other settings.
2. The method is what?

Answer 20

An advantage of observational techniques is that the method is practical

Question 21

Advantages of observational techniques:
1. High external (ecological) validity.
Since observations usually occur in natural settings, participants behave naturally and so results can be generalised to other settings.
2. The method is practical.
This practical method can be used where?

Answer 21

This practical method can be used in situations where deliberate manipulation of variables would be:
1. Unethical
Or,
2. Impractical

Question 22

Advantages of observational techniques:
1. High external (ecological) validity.
Since observations usually occur in natural settings, participants behave naturally and so results can be generalised to other settings.
2. The method is practical.
This practical method can be used in situations where deliberate manipulation of variables would be unethical or impractical, for example what?

Answer 22

This practical method can be used in situations where deliberate manipulation of variables would be:
1. Unethical
Or,
2. Impractical
,for example studying football hooliganism

Question 23

Advantages of observational techniques:
1. High external (ecological) validity.
Since observations usually occur in natural settings, participants behave naturally and so results can be generalised to other settings.
2. The method is practical.
This practical method can be used in situations where deliberate manipulation of variables would be unethical or impractical.
It is useful where what?

Answer 23

This practical method is useful where:

1. Co-operation from those being observed is unlikely
2. The full social context for behaviour is needed

Question 24

Advantages of observational techniques:
1. High external (ecological) validity.
Since observations usually occur in natural settings, participants behave naturally and so results can be generalised to other settings.
2. The method is practical.
This practical method can be used in situations where deliberate manipulation of variables would be unethical or impractical.
This practical method is useful where co-operation from those being observed is unlikely and where the full social context for behaviour is needed.
It is particularly useful when studying what?

Answer 24

This practical method is particularly useful when studying:
1. Children
Or,
2. Animals

Question 25

Advantages of observational techniques: 1. High external (ecological) validity. Since observations usually occur in natural settings, participants behave naturally and so results can be generalised to other settings. 2. The method is practical. This practical method can be used in situations where deliberate manipulation of variables would be unethical or impractical. This practical method is useful where co-operation from those being observed is unlikely and where the full social context for behaviour is needed. It is particularly useful when studying children or animals. 3. Few what?

Answer 25

An advantage of observational techniques is few demand characteristics

Question 26

Advantages of observational techniques: 1. High external (ecological) validity. Since observations usually occur in natural settings, participants behave naturally and so results can be generalised to other settings. 2. The method is practical. This practical method can be used in situations where deliberate manipulation of variables would be unethical or impractical. This practical method is useful where co-operation from those being observed is unlikely and where the full social context for behaviour is needed. It is particularly useful when studying children or animals. 3. Few demand characteristics. With covert observations, participants are what?

Answer 26

With covert observations, participants are unaware of being observed

Question 27

Advantages of observational techniques: 1. High external (ecological) validity. Since observations usually occur in natural settings, participants behave naturally and so results can be generalised to other settings. 2. The method is practical. This practical method can be used in situations where deliberate manipulation of variables would be unethical or impractical. This practical method is useful where co-operation from those being observed is unlikely and where the full social context for behaviour is needed. It is particularly useful when studying children or animals. 3. Few demand characteristics. With covert observations, participants are unaware of being observed and so there are what?

Answer 27

With covert observations, participants are unaware of being observed and so there are no demand characteristics

Question 28

Weaknesses of observational techniques: | 1. C and e?

Answer 28

A weakness of observational techniques is: 1. Cause 2. Effect

Question 29

Weaknesses of observational techniques: 1. Cause and effect. Causality cannot be what?

Answer 29

Causality cannot be inferred

Question 30

Weaknesses of observational techniques: 1. Cause and effect. Causality cannot be inferred, since what?

Answer 30

Causality cannot be inferred, since the variables are: 1. Only observed 2. Not manipulated

Question 31

Weaknesses of observational techniques: 1. Cause and effect. Causality cannot be inferred, since the variables are only observed, not manipulated, and there is little what?

Answer 31

Causality cannot be inferred, since: 1. The variables are only observed, not manipulated 2. There is little control of extraneous variables

Question 32

Weaknesses of observational techniques: 1. Cause and effect. Causality cannot be inferred, since the variables are only observed, not manipulated, and there is little control of extraneous variables. 2. O what?

Answer 32

A weakness of observational techniques is observer bias

Question 33

``` Weaknesses of observational techniques: 1. Cause and effect. Causality cannot be inferred, since the variables are only observed, not manipulated, and there is little control of extraneous variables. 2. Observer bias. Observers may see what? ```

Answer 33

Observers may see what they want to see

Question 34

Weaknesses of observational techniques: 1. Cause and effect. Causality cannot be inferred, since the variables are only observed, not manipulated, and there is little control of extraneous variables. 2. Observer bias. Observers may see what they want to see, but this can be reduced by doing what?

Answer 34

Observers may see what they want to see, but this can be reduced by establishing inter-rater reliability

Question 35

Weaknesses of observational techniques: 1. Cause and effect. Causality cannot be inferred, since the variables are only observed, not manipulated, and there is little control of extraneous variables. 2. Observer bias. Observers may see what they want to see, but this can be reduced by establishing inter-rater reliability. This can undermine the objectivity of the study. 3. R what?

Answer 35

A weakness of observational techniques is replication

Question 36

Weaknesses of observational techniques: 1. Cause and effect. Causality cannot be inferred, since the variables are only observed, not manipulated, and there is little control of extraneous variables. 2. Observer bias. Observers may see what they want to see, but this can be reduced by establishing inter-rater reliability. This can undermine the objectivity of the study. 3. Replication. The lack of control over variables means what?

Answer 36

The lack of control over variables means that conditions can never be repeated exactly to check the results

Question 37

Weaknesses of observational techniques: 1. Cause and effect. Causality cannot be inferred, since the variables are only observed, not manipulated, and there is little control of extraneous variables. 2. Observer bias. Observers may see what they want to see, but this can be reduced by establishing inter-rater reliability. This can undermine the objectivity of the study. 3. Replication. The lack of control over variables means that conditions can never be repeated exactly to check the results. 4. E?

Answer 37

A weakness of observational techniques is ethics

Question 38

Weaknesses of observational techniques: 1. Cause and effect. Causality cannot be inferred, since the variables are only observed, not manipulated, and there is little control of extraneous variables. 2. Observer bias. Observers may see what they want to see, but this can be reduced by establishing inter-rater reliability. This can undermine the objectivity of the study. 3. Replication. The lack of control over variables means that conditions can never be repeated exactly to check the results. 4. Ethics. If participants are unaware of being observed, issues of what arise?

Answer 38

If participants are unaware of being observed, issues of: 1. Invasion of privacy 2. Informed consent arise

Question 39

Weaknesses of observational techniques: 1. Cause and effect. Causality cannot be inferred, since the variables are only observed, not manipulated, and there is little control of extraneous variables. 2. Observer bias. Observers may see what they want to see, but this can be reduced by establishing inter-rater reliability. This can undermine the objectivity of the study. 3. Replication. The lack of control over variables means that conditions can never be repeated exactly to check the results. 4. Ethics. If participants are unaware of being observed, issues of invasion of privacy and informed consent arise, but if participants are informed of the study, then there is a possibility of what?

Answer 39

If participants are unaware of being observed, issues of: 1. Invasion of privacy 2. Informed consent arise, but if participants are informed of the study, then there is a possibility of demand characteristics

Question 40

Weaknesses of observational techniques: 1. Cause and effect. Causality cannot be inferred, since the variables are only observed, not manipulated, and there is little control of extraneous variables. 2. Observer bias. Observers may see what they want to see, but this can be reduced by establishing inter-rater reliability. This can undermine the objectivity of the study. 3. Replication. The lack of control over variables means that conditions can never be repeated exactly to check the results. 4. Ethics. If participants are unaware of being observed, issues of invasion of privacy and informed consent arise, but if participants are informed of the study, then there is a possibility of demand characteristics. 5. P problems?

Answer 40

A weakness of observational techniques is practical problems

Question 41

Weaknesses of observational techniques: 1. Cause and effect. Causality cannot be inferred, since the variables are only observed, not manipulated, and there is little control of extraneous variables. 2. Observer bias. Observers may see what they want to see, but this can be reduced by establishing inter-rater reliability. This can undermine the objectivity of the study. 3. Replication. The lack of control over variables means that conditions can never be repeated exactly to check the results. 4. Ethics. If participants are unaware of being observed, issues of invasion of privacy and informed consent arise, but if participants are informed of the study, then there is a possibility of demand characteristics. 5. Practical problems. It can be difficult to remain what?

Answer 41

It can be difficult to remain unobserved

Question 42

Weaknesses of observational techniques: 1. Cause and effect. Causality cannot be inferred, since the variables are only observed, not manipulated, and there is little control of extraneous variables. 2. Observer bias. Observers may see what they want to see, but this can be reduced by establishing inter-rater reliability. This can undermine the objectivity of the study. 3. Replication. The lack of control over variables means that conditions can never be repeated exactly to check the results. 4. Ethics. If participants are unaware of being observed, issues of invasion of privacy and informed consent arise, but if participants are informed of the study, then there is a possibility of demand characteristics. 5. Practical problems. It can be difficult to remain unobserved and there can be problems doing what?

Answer 42

It can be difficult to remain unobserved and there can be problems recording behaviour

Question 43

Weaknesses of observational techniques: 1. Cause and effect. Causality cannot be inferred, since the variables are only observed, not manipulated, and there is little control of extraneous variables. 2. Observer bias. Observers may see what they want to see, but this can be reduced by establishing inter-rater reliability. This can undermine the objectivity of the study. 3. Replication. The lack of control over variables means that conditions can never be repeated exactly to check the results. 4. Ethics. If participants are unaware of being observed, issues of invasion of privacy and informed consent arise, but if participants are informed of the study, then there is a possibility of demand characteristics. 5. Practical problems. It can be difficult to remain unobserved and there can be problems recording behaviour, for example what?

Answer 43

It can be difficult to remain unobserved and there can be problems recording behaviour, for example seeing all the behaviours exhibited

Question 44

Weaknesses of observational techniques: 1. Cause and effect. Causality cannot be inferred, since the variables are only observed, not manipulated, and there is little control of extraneous variables. 2. Observer bias. Observers may see what they want to see, but this can be reduced by establishing inter-rater reliability. This can undermine the objectivity of the study. 3. Replication. The lack of control over variables means that conditions can never be repeated exactly to check the results. 4. Ethics. If participants are unaware of being observed, issues of invasion of privacy and informed consent arise, but if participants are informed of the study, then there is a possibility of demand characteristics. 5. Practical problems. It can be difficult to remain unobserved and there can be problems recording behaviour. It can also be difficult to do what?

Answer 44

It can also be difficult to categorise observed behaviours accurately

Question 45

Observational technique is a what way to study behaviour?

Answer 45

Observational technique is a non-experimental way to study behaviour

Question 46

Advantages of participant observations: | There is a richer insight into what?

Answer 46

An advantage of participant observations is that there is a richer insight into the study

Question 47

Advantages of participant observations: | There is a richer insight into the study, since the researcher gets more what?

Answer 47

An advantage of participant observations is that there is a richer insight into the study, since the researcher gets more: 1. Details 2. Observational data

Question 48

Weaknesses of participant observations: | They may lack what?

Answer 48

A weakness of participant observations is that participant observations may lack objectivity

Question 49

Weaknesses of participant observations: | They may lack objectivity, because what does the researcher do?

Answer 49

A weakness of participant observations is that they may lack objectivity, because the researcher associates with the participants

Question 50

Advantages of non-participant observations: | They are what in nature?

Answer 50

An advantage of non-participant observations is that they are objective in nature

Question 51

Advantages of non-participant observations: They are objective in nature. They are not affected by what?

Answer 51

Non-participant observations are not affected by subjective: 1. Thoughts Or, 2. Emotions

Question 52

Weaknesses of non-participant observations: | They may lack what, as information is only observed from a distance?

Answer 52

A weakness of non-participant observations is that they may lack rich data, as information is only observed from a distance

Question 53

Advantages of covert observations: | They remove what?

Answer 53

An advantage of covert observations is that they remove participant reactivity

Question 54

Advantages of covert observations: | They remove participant reactivity, thus increasing what?

Answer 54

An advantage of covert observations is that they remove participant reactivity, thus increasing the validity of the study

Question 55

Advantages of overt observations: | They are what?

Answer 55

An advantage of overt observations is that they are ethically viable

Question 56

Weaknesses of overt observations: | Participant variables may act as what?

Answer 56

A weakness of overt observations is that participant variables may act as extraneous variables

Question 57

Weaknesses of overt observations: | Participant variables may act as extraneous variables, doing what?

Answer 57

A weakness of overt observations is that participant variables may act as extraneous variables, corrupting the purpose of the study

Question 58

Participant observation involves observers becoming actively involved in the situation being studied to gain a more 'hands-on' perspective. In participant observation, the investigator is what?

Answer 58

In participant observation, the investigator is a part of the group that is being observed

Question 59

Non-participant observation involves researchers not becoming actively involved in the behaviour being studied. In non-participant observation, the investigator observes how?

Answer 59

In non-participant observation, the investigator observes from a distance

Question 60

Weaknesses of observational techniques: 1. Cause and effect. Causality cannot be inferred, since the variables are only observed, not manipulated, and there is little control of extraneous variables. 2. Observer bias. Observers may see what they want to see, but this can be reduced by establishing inter-rater reliability. This can do what?

Answer 60

This can undermine the objectivity of the study

Question 61

There are 2 main types of observation, participant observation and non-participant observation. Observations can also be covert and overt. Covert observations are where participants remain unaware of being observed, for example Festinger's (1957) study, where he did what?

Answer 61

Covert observations are where participants remain unaware of being observed, for example Festinger's (1957) study, where he infiltrated a cult who were prophesying the end of the world

Question 62

Non-participant observation involves researchers not becoming actively involved in the behaviour being studied. In non-participant observation, the investigator observes from a distance, without doing what?

Answer 62

In non-participant observation, the investigator observes from a distance, without being a part of the group that is being observed

Question 63

The Hawthorne effect

Answer 63

The Hawthorne effect is the alteration of behaviour by the subjects of a study, because of their awareness of being observed