2. A method of data collection in
which the situation or individual of
interest is watched and the
relevant facts, actions and
behaviors are recorded.
3. The researcher observes the
behavior without influencing it.
1.
to describe behavior as it naturally occurs
2.
to assess relationships among variables present
4. Observations
can be conducted with the
help of
In recent research, Observations are
conducted with the help of
7. Observing a phenomena
that cannot be created in lab,
for practical or ethical reasons
Method is expensive
Effects can only be observed
when such events occur naturally
8.
Researcher is passive recorder
A psychologist observes the confrontation between two rival
neighborhood gangs from the window of an abandoned building.
9.
Example: effect of early childhood isolation on later
psychological development.
We can’t isolate children to study them But we can use
naturalistic observation when we discover such cases.
10. (1993) – descriptions of feral
children (raised outside human cultures)
(1977) case studies of children
subjected to unusual isolation by parents (e.g.,
Genie)
(1965) – observation of institutionalized
children, Showed effects of deprivation of
stimulation during infancy and early childhood
11. Observer
joins a group for the purpose of
studying group members
Researcher is insider and intervene in situations
Researcher can be biased
1.
2.
How is it different from ethnography?
Potential cost to objectivity= Stockholm
syndrome
12. Usually
“Check Lists”
focus on predetermined categories
study only the factors of interest
easy to analyze data
saves time
Replication depends upon following exactly the
same procedures
14.
Categories are not predetermined
Focus on new emergent issues
Researcher do not predict anything in advance
Observer can be biased
Difficult to analyze
Time and sources consuming
15.
Also called
Researcher do not identify
himself and mixes in situation
Researcher easley understands the participants
Purpose is to achieve access to behaviors
16. Also called undisguised observation
Researcher identifies himself and
explains the purpose of observation
Participants knew that they are
being observed and can change their behavior
17.
Researcher manipulates one or more variables in a
natural setting to determine effect on behavior
One end of the intervention – non-intervention continuum
18.
For example Crusco & Wetzel (1984)
waitresses worked as allies, tip amount was dependent
variable
Compared No Touch condition with Shoulder Touch
conditions
Men tipped more than women
Both men and women tipped more after being touched at
some point during their meal.
19.
Phenomena can be studied in real context
Data collected is very accurate in nature and also very
reliable.
Best to study human nature
20.
Problems of the past cannot be studied
Participant feel uncomfortable being watched
Time consuming method and hence expensive
Requires specific skills
Researcher has to wait until the appropriate event occurs