1. CHAPTER 6
OBSERVING BEHAVIOR

2. Approaches Observational methods can be categorized as Quantitative
Qualitative

3. Naturalistic observation
The description of animals or humans in their natural habitats
The researcher makes observations in a particular natural setting over a period of time
Has roots in anthropology and animal behavior

4. Naturalistic observation
Description and interpretation of data
Researcher must keep detailed notes to provide accurate picture
A good report should have multiple confirmations of events
Interrater reliability
Data is usually qualitative
Remember, what was INTERRATER RELIABILITY?

5. Naturalistic observation
Issues
Participation
Should researcher participate? If so, should he/she be concealed the group being studies?
Participation allows for
Close observation
Possible friendships that could help interpretation of data collected
Drawback: loss of objectivity

6. Naturalistic observation
Issues
Concealment
This approach may be preferred to preserve objectivity
Attempts to rule out reactivity of behavior being observed
Defining the scope of the observation
Scope must sometimes be limited to relevant issues of the study
Remember, what was REACTIVITY?

7. Naturalistic observation
Limits
Naturalistic observation cannot be used for all issues or phenomena
Less useful for studying well defined hypotheses
Field research is difficult to do
Ever changing patterns makes data analysis difficult
Some observations may be inconsistent
Negative case analysis – revision of hypothesis and reexamination of data

8. Systematic observation
The careful observation of 1 or more specific behaviors in a particular setting
These observations are quantifiable
Coding systems
Used to measure behaviors
Methodological issues
Equipment –
Reactivity –
Reliability –
Sampling –
What would you use as a coding system for
“what do people eat at the movie theater?”
“correlation b/w anxious people and test scores”

9. Case studies Case study – provides a description of an individual
Can also be a setting
Psychobiography – type of case study where a researcher applies psychological theory to explain the life of an individual
Done when an individual is rare or unusual
Patient R.M.

10. Archival research
Uses previously collected research to answer present research questions
Statistical records
Survey archives
Written and mass communication records
Content analysis of documents
Who can think of a famous diary?

11. Describing personality and individual differences
Measures are defined by each researcher
The topic is complex
NEO-PI (NEO personality inventory)
Measures 5 dimensions of personality
Used in educational, clinical, & counseling settings
MMPI-II
Vocational Interest inventory