Research Methods : Observational Techniques Flashcards
what do obsv provide psychologists with
way of seeing what peeps do without asking them
researchers can stuyd in a natural or controlled enviro allowing
flexibility study > complex interaction btwn variables
observation often used within an experiment as what
way of assessing dependent variable
naturalistic observation
obsv happens in place where target behaviour noramlly displayed
in a NO how are aspects of the enviro
aspects fo enviro free to vary
when is it good to do in a NO
study interaction in enviro where it would normally take place where doesn’t make sense a lab setting
what is a controlled observation
obsv used when useful to control variables and aspects of research situation
how did ainsowrth control her stuyd
specifically designed playroom which they recorded data through two way mirror
why did ainsowrth record data through a two way mirror
not to distub the action
in a controlled obsv there is some control over variables including
manipulating variables
to observe effects
reduce confounding/extraneous variables
+VE of NO
High EV
findings can be generalsied to everyday life casue of behaviour studied in eviro where would normally occur
-ves of NO
LACK OF CONTrol over research situation makes replication of investigation diffcult
therfore reduces reliability ?
+
may also be many uncontrolled confoudning/extraneous variables that make it more difficult to judge any pattern of behaviour
reduces internal validty
may also be uncontrolled confounding/extraneous variable making it more difficult to judge any pattern of behaviour
-ve of controlled obsv
cannot be applied to everyday life - low ev
+ve of controlled obvs
confounding/extraneous varibale less of a factor so replication of obsv becomes easier
behaviour may be occasionally recorded without first
getting consent of pt
Covert obsv
pt dont know theyre focus of the study and behaviour is obsv in secret eg from balcony
how can covert obsv be ethical
behaviour is public and happening anyway
Overt obsv
when pt know their behaviour’s being observed and have given informed consent beforehand
+ve of covert obsv
reduces demand characteristics and ensures behaviours observed will be natural therefore increasing IV
-VE of covert
ethics are questionable as people dont know till after and even if behaviour public they dont want behaviour noted
Give example of when behaviour public but peeps want their right to privacy
shopping but how much they spent is personal
+ve of overt obsv
more ethical
-ve of overt obsv
pt know theyre watched may greatly influence behaviour
What is pt obsv
necessary/observer joins group theyre studying
why can pt obsv be good
get first hand account of experience so qualitative hands on data
non pt obsv
researcehr remains seperate from those they’re studying and records behaviour in a more obj manner
non pt obsv can be only option when
impractical/impossible to join in e.g female researcher in yr10 students behaviour obsv
explain +ve of pt obsv
researcher experiences situation as pt do
giving them more insight into lives of people being studied
increase EV
explain -ve of pt obsv
researcher identify too strongly with those theyre studying and loose objecitvity
adopting local lifestyle - line between being rsrchr and pt blurred
+ve of pt obsv
lets r keep psychological distance from their pt
so less danger of adopting local lifestyle
-ve of pt obsv
loose valuable insight to be gained in a pt obsv
casue too far removed from people and behaviour they’re studying
