Observations in child psychology

Question 1

what types of sampling can be used on children? (3)

Answer 1

• event sampling
• time sampling
• continuous sampling

Question 2

what is event sampling in child psychology?

Answer 2

-tallying every time a child performs a certain behaviour/task

Question 3

what is time sampling in child psychology?

Answer 3

-noting down behaviours of the child/ren in the intervals of time agreed upon by the researchers

Question 4

what is continuous sampling in child psychology?

Answer 4

observing a child and noting behaviours of the child in a constant fashion

Question 5

why should we use observations to study children? (2)

Answer 5

• can study child development as certain milestones can be observed
• can be used to judge a child’s cognitive progress

Question 6

what are covert observations in regards to children?

Answer 6

-the child would be unaware that they’re being observed

Question 7

what is overt observations in regards to children?

Answer 7

• the child is aware that they are being observed

Question 8

what is participant observation in regards to children?

Answer 8

the observer is involved in the task given to the child

Question 9

what is non-participant observation in regards to children?

Answer 9

the researcher would rate the behaviours of the child away from the situation/behind a mirror

Question 10

what are structured observations in regards to children? (3)

Answer 10

• observations on children are conducted in an artificial situation e.g. laboratory
• the procedure is set up to involve a task/situation in which behaviour of the child is observed
• the researcher observes/videos/records the behavioural/emotional responses of the child

Question 11

A03- covert observations with children? (3)

Answer 11

+less chance of demand characteristics- don’t know they’re being observed
+less chance of social desirability- don’t know they’re being observed
-ethical issues- can’t get consent- don’t know they’re being observed

Question 12

A03- overt observations with children? (3)

Answer 12

+less ethical issues- can get consent from child’s guardians

• chance of demand characteristics- nknow they’re being watched
• chance of social desirability- know they’re being observed

Question 13

A03- participant observations with children? (3)

Answer 13

+gathers more detailed data-part of group=better understanding

• more likely to be biased- part of group=influence judgments
• presence of an observer-higher chance of demand characteristics= less valid data

Question 14

A03- non-participant observations with children? (2)

Answer 14

+less biased

-gathers less in-depth data

Question 15

A03- structured observations with children? (4)

Answer 15

-lacks eco validity-lab setting
-unethical- removing children from their natural settings-chance of child distress
+highly controlled-more valid data-eliminates extraneous variables
+more controlled-more standardised procedure-reliable

Question 16

A03- naturalistic observations with children ? (5)

Answer 16

+high eco validity
+more ethical-can observe child in their natural setting
+reduction in demand characteristics
-hard to control EV
-take more time since waiting for behaviour to occur naturally