CAS PS 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Jane Goodall, Naturalistic Observation, Observer-Expectancy Effect

• School: Boston University
• Department: Psychological & Brain Sciences
• Course: CAS PS 101
• Professor: Martha Tompson

Document Summary

Observational method (done in the natural environment of the subjects-- experimenters. Researchers observe their participants as they go about their usual activities; often takes place in a natural setting (method called naturalistic observation) Systematic observations; helps you develop hypotheses about the phenomenon. Observer bias an observer may read more into a situation than is actually there. Observer effect presence of human observer might affect the behavior being observed. Behavior of chimps changed when jane was seen watching. Case study (in-depth studies done on individuals in unique circumstances that we otherwise would be unable to recreate in a research setting) In depth observation of one individual case; useful for particular instances of rare phenomenon; help acquire insight into specific behaviors. Can help researcher explore important variables and possible relationships between them in some detail because of the clinical nature of the case studies and their long duration.