Observations and Surveys (Pt. 1)

Question 1

2 ways to collect data

Answer 1

Watch and Record

Question 1

Observational Methods

Answer 1

Naturalistic, Contrived, and Field Study

Question 2

Naturalistic Observation

Answer 2

Observing an individual/group in their natural habitat, “real world” environment

Question 3

Contrived Observation

Answer 3

Staged setting in the real world, contrived = deliberately created

Question 4

Field Study

Answer 4

Collect data in the field without necessarily observing

Question 5

Threats to valid + reliable observations

Answer 5

Observer bias, Observer effects, and reactivity

Question 6

Observer Bias

Answer 6

When observers’ expectations influence their interpretation of participants’ behaviors.

Question 7

Observer Effects (or expectancy effect)

Answer 7

When an observer inadvertently influences the behavior of participants (part. behavior changes to match observer expectations)

Question 8

Preventing Observer Bias and Effects

Answer 8

Train developers well, develop clear instructions, use multiple observers to estimate reliability, used a masked design (blind)

Question 9

Reactivity

Answer 9

A change in behavior when participants know another person is watching (EX: trying to act on their best (or worst) behavior

Question 10

Preventing Reactivity

Answer 10

Unobtrusive observation (observer makes themselves less noticeable)
- (how to achieve unobtrusive observation) Hide, group infiltration, habituation, measure behaviors results

Question 11

Behavioral Recording

Answer 11

Observing behavior and recording “what” is happening (tools: field notes, checklist, temporal measures, rating scales)

Question 12

Field Notes

Answer 12

Unstructured, open-ended notes. Written, tape-recorded, etc.

Question 13

Checklist

Answer 13

Structured description containing list of specific behaviors

Question 14

Temporal Measures

Answer 14

When and how long a behavior occurs. Latency measures. Duration measures.

Question 15

Rating Measures

Answer 15

Measuring the quality or intensity of a behavior

Question 16

Types of Temporal Measures

Answer 16

Latency Measures (elapsed time b/w two behaviors, or an event and a behavior).
Inter-behavior Latency (Elapsed time b/w two behaviors
Reaction Time: Elapsed time b/w an event and a response

Question 17

Duration Measures

Answer 17

How long behaviors last. Appropriate when a behavior has a clear beginning and ending
(EX: time it takes to complete an exam, duration of a panic attack, time distracted on phone, etc.).

Question 18

Rating Scales

Answer 18

For measuring quality or intensity of a behavior
(EX: locomotor scale - subjects receive a ranking depending on their stepping abilities)
(EX: Emotional Intensity Rating: Subjects receive a rating depending on the intensity of their emotional reaction)

Question 19

Is it ethical for researchers to observe others’ behavior?

Answer 19

Considered to be OK to observe those in public places where people can expect their behavior to be public. IRB ensures ethical observation is used

Question 20

Advantages to observing behavior in public

Answer 20

(1): No need to rely on people’s willingness or ability to provide info
(2) It lets you directly see what people do rather than relying on second-hand reports from them
(3): Naturalistic Setting (naturalistic observations)

Question 21

Disadvantages to observing behavior in public

Answer 21

(1): Susceptible to bias
(2): Susceptible to reactivity
(3): Time consuming
(4): Only measuring overt behavior (can’t make assumptions about thought processes)