Observational Methods in Research

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Questions and Answers

What is the purpose of using confederates in structured observation?

To reduce the influence of extraneous variables

To create a natural setting for observation

To create a structured situation and observe people's behavior (correct)

To manipulate the independent variable in a field experiment

What is the main limitation of participant observation?

It is a time-consuming and expensive method

It lacks objectivity due to the observer's involvement in the situation (correct)

It is only used in laboratory settings

It is only used in social sciences research

What is the main advantage of structured observation?

It is a cost-effective method of data collection

It allows for the observation of rare events

It is useful when behavior is difficult to observe as it naturally occurs (correct)

It allows for the observation of behavior in a natural setting

What is the main difference between structured observation and field experiment?

The level of manipulation of the independent variable Signup and view all the answers

What is the problem that arises when observers don't follow the same procedures across observations?

Inconsistent results Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the phenomenon where people change their behavior because they know they are being observed?

Reactivity Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of naturalistic observation?

To describe behavior as it normally occurs in natural settings Signup and view all the answers

Which type of observation is used when ethical and moral considerations prevent experimental manipulation?

Naturalistic observation Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of disguised participant observation?

Helps to control for reactivity Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary distinction between observation with and without intervention?

Whether the researcher attempts to intervene or change the situation Signup and view all the answers

What is the main problem associated with observation that disguised participant observation helps to control for?

Reactivity Signup and view all the answers

Which type of observation is most likely to involve the manipulation of variables?

Field experiment Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of habituation in observational research?

To help participants get used to the presence of the observer Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the systematic errors in observation that result from observers' expectations?

Observer bias Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of controlling reactivity in observational research?

To minimize the impact of the observer on the participants Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using indirect observation in observational research?

To minimize the impact of the observer on the participants Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the characteristics of a situation that influence individuals' behavior?

Demand characteristics Signup and view all the answers

Why is observer bias a potential problem in all psychology research?

Because all studies involve some form of observation Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Observational Methods in Psychology

Reactivity occurs when people change their behavior because they know they are being observed.
Participant observers may lose their objectivity by becoming too involved in the situation.
Participant observers may influence the behavior of people they are observing.

Structured Observation

Researchers set up a specific situation to observe people's behavior.
Useful when behavior is difficult to observe naturally.
Often uses confederates to create the structured situation.
Problems arise when observers don't follow the same procedures or don't control important variables.

Example of Structured Observation

Simons and Levin (1998) studied "change blindness" by changing the person asking for directions to a campus building.
Results showed only about half of the people observed noticed the change.

Field Experiment

Researchers manipulate an independent variable in a natural setting and observe behavior (dependent variable).

Classification of Observational Methods

Two categories of observational methods: Observation without Intervention and Observation with Intervention.
Observational methods can also be classified according to the methods for recording behavior: comprehensive record of behavior or selected behaviors.

Observation without Intervention

Naturalistic Observation: observation in natural ("real-world") settings without intervening or changing the situation.
Goals: describe behavior as it normally occurs, examine relationships among naturally occurring variables.

Observation with Intervention

Most psychological research involves observation with intervention.
Researchers choose from three methods of observation with intervention in natural settings: Participant Observation, Structured Observation, and Field Experiment.

Participant Observation

Observer is an active participant in the natural setting they observe.
Can be undisguised (people know they're being observed) or disguised (people don't know they're being observed).

Controlling Reactivity

Conceal the observer (but be careful about privacy issues).
Use disguised participant observation (privacy issues again).
Use indirect (unobtrusive) observation.
Adapt participants to the presence of the observer through habituation or desensitization.

Observer Bias

Observers often have certain expectations for behavior, leading to expectancy effects.
Observer bias refers to systematic errors in observation that result from observers' expectations.
Observer bias is a potential problem in all studies and is hard to eliminate.
Observers must be aware of their potential biases in their observations.

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Description

Classify observational methods into two categories: with and without intervention. Learn how to record behavior using comprehensive records and selected behaviors. Explore naturalistic observation in real-world settings.