Observations

• What are naturalistic observations?

  Observations in the target behavior's natural setting
• What is a strength of naturalistic observations?

  High ecological validity from natural behavior
• What is a limitation of naturalistic observations?

  Cannot be replicated to check reliability
• Where are controlled observations usually conducted?

  In a psychology laboratory
• What does the researcher control in a controlled observation?

  Where, when, and how the observation occurs
• What is a strength of controlled observations?

  Can be replicated to check reliability
• What is a limitation of controlled observations?

  Low ecological validity in artificial environments
• What is a covert observation?

  Participants do not know they are being observed
• What is a strength of covert observations?

  Reduces demand characteristics from participants
• What is a limitation of covert observations?

  Ethically questionable due to lack of consent
• What is an overt observation?

  Participants are aware they are being observed
• What is a strength of overt observations?

  Reduces ethical issues regarding consent
• What is a limitation of overt observations?

  Participants may change their behavior
• What is participant observation?

  Researcher joins the group being observed
• What is a strength of participant observation?

  Gains firsthand experience and insight
• What is a limitation of participant observation?

  Researcher may lose objectivity
• What is non-participant observation?

  Observer watches without participating
• What is a strength of non-participant observation?

  Researcher can remain objective from a distance
• What is a limitation of non-participant observation?

  Loss of insight from observing at a distance
• What is observer bias?

  Researcher looks for behaviors fitting expectations
• How can observer bias be overcome?

  Introduce another observer for comparison
• What are the ways of recording data in observational design?

  • Unstructured observation: write everything seen
  • Structured observation: create behavioral categories
• What are behavioral categories in structured observations?

  Specific behaviors to be examined and operationalized
• What must behavioral categories be like?

  Clear, unambiguous, observable, and measurable
• What is continuous recording in unstructured observations?

  All behavior is recorded without intervals
• What is time sampling in structured observations?

  Recording behavior at specific time intervals
• What is a limitation of time sampling?

  Observed behavior may not be representative
• What is event sampling in structured observations?

  Recording behavior every time it occurs
• What is a limitation of event sampling?

  Events may be missed if too much happens
• Describe a controlled observation task in psychology.

  • Psychologist studies fathers with children aged 6 months to 1 year
  • Fathers interact with babies using specific toys
  • Observations made through a two-way mirror
• What was the aim of the naturalistic observation conducted by two psychologists?

  • Measure time spent in various play activities
  • Activities included rough play, ball games, and skipping
  • Observations conducted over a week with trained observers