Observations Flashcards
1
Q
Naturalistic
A
- Take place in the setting or context where the behaviour would usually occur.
- All aspects of the environment are free to vary.
2
Q
Controlled
A
- Some control over variables, including manipulating variables to observe effects and also control of extraneous variables.
- E.g. Mary Ainsworth
3
Q
Covert
A
- Participants are unaware they are being observed.
- Observed in secret e.g. 2 way mirror
4
Q
Overt
A
- Observer becomes part of the group they are studying.
5
Q
Non-participant
A
- Researcher remains separate from the group they’re studying and records their behaviour in a more objective manner
6
Q
Naturalistic evaluation
A
- Tend to have high external validity as behaviour is studied where it naturally occurs.
- Lack of control makes replication difficult.
- Extraneous variables.
7
Q
Controlled evaluation
A
- Extraneous variables are less of a factor.
- Replications is easier.
- May produce findings that can’t be readily applied to real-life settings.
8
Q
Covert evaluation
A
- Participants are unaware they are being observed which removes demand characteristics.
- Ensures participants behaviour will be natural. Increases validity of the data gathered.
- Ethics of the study may be questionable. May not want their behaviours recorded.
9
Q
Overt evaluation
A
- More ethically acceptable
- Knowledge the participants have that they’re being observed may influence behaviour.
10
Q
Participants evaluation
A
- Researcher can experience the situation as participants do - giving them increased insight into their lives which may increase validity of their findings.
- Researcher may come to identify too strongly with those they’re studying and lose objectivity.
- May be impractical to join certain groups.
11
Q
Non-participants evaluation
A
- Allow researcher to maintain objective psychological distance.
- May lose valuable insight as they are too far removed from the people and behaviour they are studying
