observational techniques

Question 1

what is meant by observational studies (3)

Answer 1

• allow researchers to investigate observable behaviour within a natural or controlled setting
  -allows flexibility to study more complex interactions between variables in a more natural way
• provides psychologist with a way of seeing what people do without having to ask them

Question 2

what limitation does all observational research have ?

Answer 2

it’s not possible to establish a cause and effect as there is no manipulation of the IV - non experimental method

Question 3

what is a natural observation ?

Answer 3

watching and recording behaviour in the setting within which it would normally occur

Question 4

what is an example of natural observation ?

Answer 4

how children play in groups vs alone
- observe how children interact in the playground

Question 5

what is a controlled observation ?

Answer 5

watching and recording behaviour within a structured environment
- one where some variables are managed

Question 6

what is an example of a controlled observation ? (3)

Answer 6

Mary Ainsworth - Strange Situation studies (add to once done attachment )

Question 7

what variables would a controlled observation have control over ?

Answer 7

-manipulating variables to observe effects
-control of extraneous variables

Question 8

what is the strength of a naturalistic observation and how ? (3)

Answer 8

• tend to have a high external validity –> so findings can be generalised to everyday life
• due to behaviour being studied in an environment in which it would usually occur

Question 9

What are 2 limitations of naturalistic observation ? (2)

Answer 9

-lack of control over the situation makes replication difficult
- uncontrolled EVs

Question 10

what is the strength of controlled observations ?

Answer 10

• EVs may be less of a factor –> replication of the observation becomes easier

Question 11

what is the limitation of controlled observation ?

Answer 11

-produce findings can’t be readily applied to real-life setting

Question 12

what is a covert observation ?

Answer 12

participants’ behaviour is watched and recorded without their knowledge and consent ?

Question 13

what is an overt observation ?

Answer 13

participants behaviour is watched and recorded with their knowledge or consent

Question 14

what is an example of a covert observation ?

Answer 14

observed
- across a room
- from a balcony

Question 15

what must be happening for a covert observation to be ethical ?

Answer 15

it must be public and happening

Question 16

what must participants give for an overt observation ?

Answer 16

• their informed consent beforehand

Question 17

what is the strength of a covert observation ?

Answer 17

-removes the problem of demand characteristics
-ensures any behaviour observed will be natural
–> increases the validity of the data gathered

Question 18

what is the limitation of covert observation ?

Answer 18

• ethics of the studies may be questioned
  –> people may not wish for their behaviours to be noted down

Question 19

what is an example of the limitation of an overt observation ? (2)

Answer 19

• ‘shopping’ would be generally recognised as public activity
• the amount of money people spend on shopping trips is probably their private business

Question 20

what is a strength of overt observation ?

Answer 20

• ethical as participants have provided their consent beforehand

Question 21

what is a limitation of overt observation ?

Answer 21

-knowledge of participants that they are being observed –> may act as a significant influence on their behaviour

Question 22

what is a participant observation ?

Answer 22

the researcher becomes a member of the group whose behaviour he/she is watching and recording

Question 23

what is a non-participant observation ?

Answer 23

• the researcher remains outside of the group whose behaviour he/she is watching and recording

Question 24

what is an example of participant observation ?

Answer 24

a researcher might observe how high school students form social groups during lunch breaks by becoming part of the group themselves

Question 25

what is an example of a non-participant observation ?

Answer 25

in the classroom setting, the researcher sits at the back of the room and observes how students behave when the teacher is present and absent

Question 26

what is the strength of a participant observation ?

Answer 26

• researcher will receive great insight as they are experiencing the situation with the participants –> increase the validity of the findings

Question 27

what is the limitation of participant observation ?

Answer 27

• researcher may come to identify too strongly with participants –> lack of objectivity

Question 28

what does ‘going native’ mean ?

Answer 28

when the line between being a researcher and being a participant becomes blurred

Question 29

what is the strength of a non-participant observation ?

Answer 29

allow the researcher to maintain an objective psychological distance from their participants
–> so less danger of them ‘going native’

Question 30

what is a limitation of non-participant observation ?

Answer 30

may lose the valuable insight to be gained in a participant observation –> as they are too far removed from the people and behaviour they are studying