observational techniques

• What is the definition of an observation?

  technique in which researchers will watch + record behaviour
• Why do psychologists use observations?

  • Ecological validity - behaviour in a natural setting
  • Easier to study behaviours that would be unethical to manipulate (e.g, agression)
• What are the characteristics that must be decided in an observation?

  • Participant vs Non-participant
  • Overt vs Covert
  • Controlled vs Naturalistic
• What is the definition of a participant observation?

  involves the observer being actively involved in situation
• What is the definition of a non-participant observation?

  involves observer not being actively involved in situation
• What is the definition of an overt observation?

  participants are aware they are being observed
• What is the definition of a covert observation?

  participants are not aware they are being observed
• What is the definition of a controlled observation?

  watching behaviours in controlled setting
• What is the definition of a naturalistic observation?

  watching behaviours in a natural setting
• Evaluate a participant observation

  Strength - researcher insight as experience situation

  Weakness - researcher involved = subjective
• Evaluate a non-participant observation

  Strength - researcher not involved = objective

  Weakness - lack of researcher insight as does not experience a situation
• Evaluate an overt observation

  Strength - ethical

  Weakness - demand characteristics
• Evaluate a covert observation

  Strength - lower chance of demand characteristics

  Weakness - unethical = lack of informed consent
• Evaluate a controlled observation

  Strength - less extraneous variables

  Weakness - low ecological validity = artfifcal
• Evaluate a naturalistic observation

  Strength - high ecological validity = natural so can be generalised

  Weakness - extraneous variables = less reliable as harder to replicate