RM L14: Observation- Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a pilot observation?

Lesson 14

A
  • The checklist which lists all the behaviours the psychologists expect to see must be tested before the main observation
  • Ensure all potential behaviours are covered
  • Researchers can add behaviours to the list
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2
Q

What is time sampling?

Lesson 14

A
  • Behaviours recorded in specific time intervals (3 types)
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3
Q

What is an instantaneous scan?

Lesson 14

A
  • The behaviour that is being shown by the person being observed is recorded at start of each set time interval
  • Every 10 secs whatever behaviour being shown by a child in the playground is recorded
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4
Q

What is a predominant activity scan?

Lesson 14

A
  • The observer records the most frequent behaviour shown by the person being observed in the set time period
  • In a ten second time period > how many winks does a person do?
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5
Q

What is a one zero scan?

Lesson 14

A
  • The observer records whether each behaviour happened (1) or did not happen (0) within set time period&raquo_space; frequency of behaviour is not recorded just if happened or not
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6
Q

What is event sampling?

Lesson 14

A
  • Every time a behaviour is seen in the person being observed it is tallied
  • Set time period decided on before recording begins
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7
Q

What are 2 strengths of observations (in general) ?

Lesson 14

A
  1. If ppts are unaware they are being observed they should behave natrually > high ecological validity
  2. As behaviours are counted (quantitative) the data is objective > data is analysed statistically without any bias
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8
Q

What are 2 weaknesses of observations (in general) ?

Lesson 14

A
  1. If ppts are aware that they are being observed may have unnatrual behaviour due to social desirability and demand charecterisitics which reduce the validity
  2. It is difficult to replicate the study if natrualistic as variables cannot be controlled > reduces reliability of the study
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9
Q

What is overt observation?

Lesson 14

A
  • When ppts know who the researcher is
  • When ppts know that they are being observed
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10
Q

What is covert observation?

Lesson 14

A
  • When ppts do not know that researcher is observing them
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11
Q

What is participant observation?

Lesson 14

A
  • When researcher becomes part of the group the researcher wants to observe
  • Can be overt / covert about this
  • The researcher interacts with ppts takes notes on behaviours / other info
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12
Q

What are 2 strengths of participant observations?

Lesson 14

A
  1. Usually ppts being observed in real life settings&raquo_space; increased ecological validity
  2. As observer is involved with group they are more likely to understand motives / behaviours&raquo_space; increases validity of the findings
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13
Q

What are 2 weaknesses of participant observations?

Lesson 14

A
  1. Ethical problems such as informed consent as we have not asked for it
  2. Presence of outsider (researcher) can change the behaviour of group members&raquo_space; lowers validity of the findings
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14
Q

What are non participant observations?

Lesson 14

A
  • When researcher is away from ppl / animals
  • researcher does not interact with any ppts
  • can be overt / covert
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15
Q

What are 2 strengths of non participant observations>

Lesson 14

A
  1. Ppt behaviours are not affected as they don’t know they’re being observed
  2. Researchers observations more likely to be objective as they are detached from the people they are observing
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16
Q

What is structured observation?

Lesson 14

A
  • Where the observers have created a behavioural checklist in order to code the behaviour they are observing
  • Observers can tally how many times behaviour occurs during the set time period
  • Eg. Observing if children paying attention in class see if they are writing notes down, answering questions in class
16
Q

What is a weakness of non participant observations?

A
  1. Can be difficult to make detailed observations and to produce qualitative data that we can analyse to understand why the behaviour is occurring
17
Q

What is a strength of structured observations?

Lesson 14

A
  1. The behavioural checklist allows objective quantitative data to be collected -> can be analysed statistically
18
Q

What is 1 weakness of structured observations?

Lesson 14

A
  1. Sampling of observed behaviour tends to be restrictive does not give an idea of reasons why behaviour is occurring
19
Q

What is an unstructured observation?

Lesson 14

A
  • When observers note all behaviours they can see in qualitative form over a period of time
  • No behavioural checklist is used as observers simply record what is happening in real time
20
Q

What is 1 strength of unstructured observations?

Lesson 14

A
  1. Generates in depth, rich, qualitative data which can help to explain why the behaviours are happening
21
Q

What is 1 weakness of unstructured observations?

A
  1. Observers may easily be drawn to noticeable eye catching behaviours that may not fully represent all the behaviours occurring during the observation period
22
Q

What is naturalistic observation?

Lesson 14

A
  • Takes place in person/animal natural environment
23
Q

What are 2 strengths of naturalistic observation?

Lesson 14

A
  1. Ppts are unaware they are being watched should behave more naturally removes chance of demand charecterisitics affecting their behaviour
  2. As observation takes place in natural setting for ppts –> increased ecological validity
23
Q

What are 2 weaknesses of naturalistic observation?

Lesson 14

A
  1. Little control over extraneous variables –> makes it difficult to draw cause + effect conclusions abt observed behaviours
  2. Replication may be difficult as we cannot have totally stantardised procedure due to possible extraneous variables –> difficult to test for reliability
23
Q

What is a controlled observation?

Lesson 14

A
  • Experiment in a labratory room the observers can be behind a one way mirror –> cannot be seen observing
24
Q

What are 2 strengths of a controlled experiment?

Lesson 14

A
  1. As set up is controlled observers can be more confident about what is causing any of the behaviours shown by ppts
  2. Less risk of extraneous variables affecting ppt behaviours
25
Q

What are 2 weaknesses of controlled observation?

Lesson 14

A
  1. Carrying out the observations in an artificial setting can easily influence ppts behaviour –> kids may be anxious in an environment different from their usual one
  2. As setting is artificial the findings may lack ecological validity