Observational techniques

Question 1

What are observations?

Answer 1

Observations provide psychologists with a way of seeing how people behave without asking them. Behaviour is studied in a natural or controlled setting.
This method allows the researcher to be flexible when studying more complex interactions between variables

Question 2

What are some strengths of observations?

Answer 2

1. This method captures what people actually do which may be unexpected behaviour
2. People don’t always act the same as they say they would
3. Gives a special insight into behaviour

Question 3

Give a weakness of observations

Answer 3

1. Observer bias - the observer interpretation of a situation may be affected by their expectations (this can be reduced by using several observers)

Question 4

Name the 6 types of observation

Answer 4

Naturalistic observation
Controlled observation
Covert observation
Overt observation
Participant observation
Non-participant observation

Question 5

What is a naturalistic observation?

Answer 5

Naturalistic observation takes place in the setting/ context where the target behaviour would usually occur
All aspects of the environment are free to vary
EG: Observing teacher relationships in school rather than in a lab

Question 6

Give a strength of naturalistic observation

Answer 6

High external validity
Findings can often be generalised to everyday life
Behaviour studied is what would normally occur

Question 7

Give a limitation of naturalistic observation

Answer 7

The lack of control makes it hard to replicate
Many uncontrolled confounding and extraneous variable which make it more difficult to judge behaviour

Question 8

What is a controlled observation?

Answer 8

Controlled observations are when certain aspects of the research situation are controlled under strict conditions
EG: Ainsworth used a controlled observation as part of her Strange Situation study
By controlling the variables (like time of day, noise, temperature) they can be manipulated as well as helping to control the confounding and extraneous variables

Question 9

Give a strength of controlled observations

Answer 9

They can be replicated to check for reliability and the standardised procedure allows the manipulation of the IV and control over the EV

Question 10

Give a limitation of controlled observations

Answer 10

Lacks external validity because it is conducted in an artificial environment
Therefore, observation can feel quite unnatural and participants behaviour may alter

Question 11

What are covert observations?

Answer 11

Covert observations are know as an ‘undisclosed’ observation
Participants are unaware they are the focus of the study and behaviour is observed in secret
Needs to be in public and something that would happen anyway to make it ethical

Question 12

Give a strength of covert observations

Answer 12

Participants don’t know they are being watched
This removes demand characteristics and ensures behaviour is natural (increasing internal validity)

Question 13

Give a limitation of covert observations

Answer 13

Ethical issues
Participants cannot give their fully informed consent or their right to withdraw

Question 14

What are overt observations?

Answer 14

Overt observations are when participants know their behaviour is being observed and give informed consent

Question 15

Give a strength of overt observations

Answer 15

They are more ethical than covert
The participants have the right to withdraw before, during or after the observation
The reputation of psychological research as being ethical is protected, therefore.

Question 16

Give a limitation of overt observations

Answer 16

Bias can occur
An investigator could influence the participants behaviour (investigator effects)
They may also be demand characteristics, meaning that authentic and natural behaviour is not being observed

Question 17

What are participant observations?

Answer 17

In this observation the person who is conducting the observation also takes part in the activity being observed
EG: Zimbardo in his prison experiment
This could be either covert or overt

Question 18

Give a strength for participant observations

Answer 18

The researcher can experience the situation the participants are in
This increases external validity, and ensures the researcher can obtain in-depth data, and behaviour is less likely to be overlooked

Question 19

Give a limitation for participant observations

Answer 19

The researcher may identify too strongly with those they are studying and lose objectively
An example of this is Zimbardo - the line between the researcher and being a participant becomes blurred
Demand characteristics (natural behaviour may not be observed, reducing internal validity)

Question 20

What are non-participant observations?

Answer 20

The person who is conducting the observation does not participate in the activity
The aim is for the observer to be as unobtrusive as possible and not engage with any of the activities

Question 21

Give a strength for non-participant observations

Answer 21

Allow the researcher to maintain an objective psychological distance from their participants
Therefore, less likely for investigator effects to occur Observation of behaviour is more likely to be natural

Question 22

Give a limitation of non-participant observations

Answer 22

Lack of proximity to the participant - the research might miss behaviour