Intro to Naturalistic Observation Research (2.3)

Question 1

What is the aim of naturalistic observation?

Answer 1

Study behaviors of people and animals as the act in everyday natural and semi-artificial environments.

Question 2

What are the advantages of naturalistic observations?

Answer 2

• High in ecological validity
• May be the only way to study a particular phenomenon (ethics)
• Can provide insight for future research
• Can compliment lab and other types of research

Question 3

Examples of contradictory evidence and theory development:

Answer 3

• Animal aggression: fighting between members of the same species was hardly ever
  fatal except for in humans (Lorenz, 1966)-> border wars in chimps

Question 4

What is a concern to observational research?

Answer 4

Reactivity (When people or animals alter their behavior because they know they
are being observed, they don’t behave “naturally”)

Question 5

How to reduce reactivity:

Answer 5

Habituation: a diminished response due to prolonged or repeated exposure to a stimulus. It’s a type of non-associative learning.

Question 6

What is spontaneous recovery and potentiation?

Answer 6

SR: If stimulus is withheld the response tends to recover over time.

Stimulus potentiation - The more frequent the habituation
sessions, the faster the habituation each time

Question 7

What is generalization?

Answer 7

Over time, habituation will generalize to similar stimuli

Question 8

What is covert observation?

Answer 8

When subjects are not aware they are being observed, its another way to reduce reactivity.

Question 9

Ethics and Observation in Naturalistic Observation Research

Answer 9

• Informed consent and invasions of privacy for human subjects’ concerns.
• APA ethics code ( You don’t need consent or debriefing if studied in public, not interfered and anonymous + confidential)

Question 10

How to avoid reactivity completely:

Answer 10

Unobtrusive measures ( no observation in real time, going through items etc)

Question 11

What is another concern about control in Naturalistic observation?

Answer 11

Absence of control,

be careful while drawing conclusions, it does not test causal realtionships.

Question 12

What is a concern about bias in Naturalistic Observation?

Answer 12

Observer bias (Observers have bias about what they expect to see, which can influence what they see)

Question 13

How can you reduce observer bias?

Answer 13

• Using clear predefined criteria for data collection
• Clearly defining what to record
• Clearly define when to record
• Use well trained observers