Observational Techniques

Question 1

What is a naturalistic observation?

Answer 1

an experiment or observation where the psychologist does not directly alter the IV

Question 2

What are the strengths of a naturalistic observation?

Answer 2

• P’s are more likely to act naturally as they are in their own environment
• less stressful for the individual being observed

Question 3

What are the weaknesses of a naturalistic observation?

Answer 3

• less control, so lower internal validity

- can raise ethical issues for informed consent if psychologist doesn’t debrief P

Question 4

What piece of research is a naturalistic observation?

Answer 4

Shaffer and Emerson (infant)

Question 5

What is a controlled observation?

Answer 5

an experiment or observation where the psychologist does directly to alter the IV

Question 6

What are the strengths of a controlled observation?

Answer 6

• high control so higher internal validity

- good for informed consent

Question 7

What are the weaknesses of a controlled observation?

Answer 7

• Demand characteristics

- lower ecological validity

Question 8

What piece of research is a controlled observation?

Answer 8

• bandura’s bobo doll experiment

Question 9

What is a covert observation?

Answer 9

when the observer does not inform P’s that they are observing and recording their behaviour.

Question 10

What are the strengths of a covert observation?

Answer 10

no demand characteristics

Question 11

What are the weaknesses of a covert observation?

Answer 11

no informed consent

Question 12

What is a overt observation?

Answer 12

When an P knows they’re being studied

Question 13

What are the strengths of a overt observation?

Answer 13

informed consent

Question 14

What are the weaknesses of a overt observation?

Answer 14

demand characteristics

Question 15

What is a participant observation?

Answer 15

When the observer is part of the group they are observing (can be covert or overt)

Question 16

What are the strengths of a participant observation?

Answer 16

no demand characteristics

Question 17

What are the weaknesses of a participant observation?

Answer 17

• if covert, hard to avoid P’s knowing you’re an observer

- when observer joins the group it can alter the dynamic

Question 18

What is a non-participant observation?

Answer 18

when observer is not part of the group they are observing (can be covert or overt)

Question 19

What are the strengths of a non-participant observation?

Answer 19

• no demand characteristics

- easier to stay undercover

Question 20

What are the weaknesses of a non-participant observation?

Answer 20

• can alter behaviour if P’s find out they are being observing

Question 21

What are behavioural categories

Answer 21

a list or behaviours that is used when the observation is structured. Should have a range of categories but not so may you spend most time searching for the right one.

Question 22

What is event sampling?

Answer 22

when observer decides in advance the behaviours they are interested in observing and then records every time they see a particular behaviour

Question 23

What are strengths of event sampling?

Answer 23

• easier to conduct, less likely to miss behaviours

Question 24

What are weaknesses of event sampling?

Answer 24

• can be tiring as you’re recording for the whole time

- may be difficult to decide what behaviour in a particular category

Question 25

What is time sampling?

Answer 25

when observer records behaviour at regular time intervals

Question 26

What are strengths of time sampling?

Answer 26

- less tiring | - reduces amount of time needed to spend on observing so this may increase accuracy.

Question 27

What are weaknesses of time sampling?

Answer 27

- observer may miss behaviour that occur during their break | - monitoring time intervals may be a pain or inaccurate

Question 28

What is inter-observer reliability?

Answer 28

this is only a relevant term to use when an observation involves more than one observer. They must be recording their data the same, so results are more accurate

Question 29

What are the strengths of a general observation?

Answer 29

- high external validity since in a natural environment, - results can be generalised - practical method - few demand characteristics

Question 30

What are the weaknesses of a general observation?

Answer 30

``` - cause and effect causality cannot be inferred since the variables are only observed. little control of extraneous variables - observer bias they see what they want to see - impossible to replicate - no informed consent ```