Observational Techniques & Design (College Board AP® Psychology): Flashcards
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- FrontTypes of Observation
Define naturalistic observation.
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Cards in this collection (22)
Define naturalistic observation.
A naturalistic observation records behavior in a natural, real-world setting with no manipulation of variables and no IV.
Define controlled observation.
A controlled observation records behavior using replicable procedures and predetermined behavioral categories, often giving participants a specific task to complete.
Define covert observation.
A covert observation is one in which participants are not aware they are being observed and have not been informed in advance.
Define overt observation.
An overt observation is one in which participants are aware that they are being observed and may have been informed in advance.
The ____________________ effect is the tendency for participants to change their behavior simply because they know they are being studied.
The Hawthorne effect is the tendency for participants to change their behavior simply because they know they are being studied.
Define participant observation.
In a participant observation, the researcher joins the group being observed and becomes part of it, often without participants realizing they are an outsider.
Define non-participant observation.
In a non-participant observation, the researcher remains separate from the group being observed and takes no part in the procedure, often using a one-way mirror.
True or False?
Observers can infer motive, intention, or feeling from the behavior they record.
False.
Observers can only record observable behavior; motive, intention, feeling, and thought cannot be inferred from observation alone.
True or False?
A field experiment and a naturalistic observation are the same thing.
False.
A field experiment involves the manipulation of an IV, while a naturalistic observation does not.
Naturalistic observations are high in __________________ validity because behavior is observed in a real-world setting.
Naturalistic observations are high in ecological validity because behavior is observed in a real-world setting.
Why do covert observations raise serious ethical concerns?
Participants cannot give informed consent, cannot exercise their right to withdraw, and it may not be possible to debrief them afterward.
Define structured observation.
A structured observation records a predetermined, operationally defined set of behaviors to produce quantitative data on their frequency.
What type of data does an unstructured observation produce?
An unstructured observation produces qualitative data about the full range of behaviors occurring in a setting.
True or False?
Behavioral categories may include traits that must be inferred, such as "anxious".
False.
Behavioral categories must only include directly observable behaviors, so a category like "anxious" is not acceptable, but "fidgets with hands" or "avoids eye contact" is.
Define inter-rater reliability.
Inter-rater reliability is the level of consistency between two or more trained observers independently recording the same observation.
In event sampling, the researcher records ________ instance of a target behavior that occurs during the observation session.
In event sampling, the researcher records every instance of a target behavior that occurs during the observation session.
Why must behavioral categories be mutually exclusive?
Behavioral categories must be mutually exclusive so that each observed behavior fits into only one category, removing ambiguity when recording data.
Define time sampling.
Time sampling is a procedure in which the researcher records all behaviors that occur during a set time interval at regular points throughout the observation session.
True or False?
High inter-rater reliability guarantees that an observation is valid.
False.
High inter-rater reliability only shows that observers agree; it does not guarantee validity because poorly designed categories can still lead observers to consistently record the wrong thing.
State one strength of using a structured observation.
A strength of a structured observation is that it produces quantitative data that can be easily analyzed, graphed, and compared across large samples.
The flexibility of unstructured observation allows the researcher to follow __________________ or particularly significant behaviors as they emerge.
The flexibility of unstructured observation allows the researcher to follow unexpected or particularly significant behaviors as they emerge.
State one limitation of time sampling.
A limitation of time sampling is that it may miss behaviors that occur outside the designated time windows, so some behaviors can be over- or underrepresented in the data.
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