Observations - 06/11/23

Question 1

What is the definition of observations?
[2]

Answer 1

• It’s a non-experimental method which means they can’t establish cause and effect relationships
• It provides psychologists with a way of seeing what people do without having to ask them

Question 2

By observations, complex interaction between variables can be studied in a more _______ way.

Answer 2

Natural

Question 3

What are the 6 different types of observations?

Answer 3

1) Naturalistic
2) Controlled
3) Covert
4) Overt
5) Participant
6) Non-Participant

Question 4

What does Naturalistic Observations mean?

Answer 4

Watching and recording behaviours in settings where it normally occurs

Question 5

What does Controlled Observations mean?

Answer 5

Watching and recording behaviour in a structured environment

Question 6

What does Covert Observations mean?

Answer 6

Participant behaviour is watched and recorded without their knowledge or consent

Question 7

What does Overt Observations mean?

Answer 7

Participant’s behaviour is watched and recorded with their knowledge and consent

Question 8

What does Participant Observations mean?

Answer 8

The researcher becomes a member of the group whose behaviour he wants to watch and record

Question 9

What does Non-Participant mean?

Answer 9

The researcher remains out of the group whose behaviour he/she is recording

Question 10

Describe:
1) Internal Validity
2) External Validity
3) Reliability (Replication)
4) Demand Characteristics
For Naturalistic Observations.

Answer 10

1) Decreases - It’s an uncontrolled environment so extraneous variables
2) Increases - high ecological validity. Natural environment
3) Low - uncontrolled environment and extraneous variables
4) Low - lack of control, random environment

Question 11

Describe:
1) Internal Validity
2) External Validity
3) Reliability (Replication)
4) Demand Characteristics
For Controlled Observations.

Answer 11

1) Increases - variables can be controlled and manipulated (less extraneous variables)
2) Decreases- low ecological validity. Can’t be readily applied in real life.
3) Increases - Extraneous variables, replicability is easier
4) Higher - more controlled environment

Question 12

Describe:
1) Internal Validity
2) Ethical Issues
3) Demand Characteristics
For Covert Observations.

Answer 12

1) Increases - removes participant reactivity and in natural environment
2) Some people don’t want behaviour noted down
3)No - unknown observation

Question 13

Describe:
1) Internal Validity
2) Ethical Observation
3) Demand Characteristics
For Overt Observations.

Answer 13

1) Decreases - they know that researcher is observing has significant influence
2) More ethically acceptable
3) Increases - they know that researcher is observing behaviour

Question 14

Describe:
1) Internal Validity
2) Objectivity
For Participant Observations.

Answer 14

1) Increases - experience experience situation particpant go through
2) Researcher can identify with findings and lose objectivity

Question 15

Describe:
1) Internal Validity
2) Objectivity
For Non-Participant Observations.

Answer 15

1) Objective (decreases) - psychological distance from participants
2) High - not part of group so objective free