In this article, we suggest you consider one of the main techniques, which include research methods in psychology. Observation involves a focused and deliberate perception of the object of study. In social sciences, its application is the most difficult, since the subject and object of the study is a person, which means that subjective assessments of the observer, his attitude and attitudes can be introduced into the results.
Observation is one of the basic empirical methods, the simplest and most common in vivo. In order for its results to be accurate, the observer should stay away, be unnoticed, or become part of the group that includes the object of observation, mix with it so as not to attract attention. The researcher should record and evaluate events related to the purpose of observation.
Elements of this technique include theoretical thinking (various methodological techniques, control of results, comprehension) and quantitative analysis (factor analysis, scaling, etc.).
Studying the basic methods of psychology, observation should certainly be noted and, if possible, applied. After all, this is one of the main techniques that modern science uses.
It must be said that observation in psychology is certainly somewhat subjective. The degree of subjectivity can reduce the rejection of quick conclusions and generalizations, the frequency of observation, as well as the use of other methods along with it. It is better that several observers participate in the study at once. To increase the effectiveness of this method, various observation maps and questionnaires are often used. They allow you to concentrate on the most important points and not be distracted by non-essential ones.
Distinctive features of observation
Observation in psychology is always carried out for a specific purpose, according to a predetermined plan, equipped with various objects necessary for fixing the results and the implementation of the process itself.
This method allows you to collect empirical data, to form ideas about the objects of study, and also to test various guesses and theories associated with it.
Observation carries out cognition through direct contact, based on the testimony of the senses, so it is the first scientific device in history.
Methods of psychology (observation, experiment, etc.) have their own characteristic features. These features make it possible to distinguish them as a separate type of research. Observation in psychology is distinguished by the type of attitude toward the object (for example, in a conversation or experiment, the specialist creates special conditions that cause one or another phenomenon), the presence of direct contact with him (which is absent in the study of the products of activity, and is also not always present in the experiment).
From a methodological point of view, universality is inherent in it, that is, the possibility of using observation in relation to a wide range of various mental phenomena, as well as flexibility (the ability to change the “field of coverage” of an object or a hypothesis during the study) and the minimum requirements for the technical and hardware procedures. In this, the methods of psychology, observation, experiment, and others are very different.
In the scientific literature, the terms "observation", "objective observation" and "external use" are often used as synonyms. Mental life is a complex phenomenon, inaccessible to the direct gaze from the outside, hidden from prying eyes. Therefore, initially the only method of psychology was introspection (self-observation), and only with the development of science did external observation begin to be applied when observing a person (psychology, sociology and other sciences).
In Russian psychology, the basic principles of observation are described in the works of such scientists as S. L. Rubinstein, L. S. Vygotsky, A. N. Leontyev.
Types of objects
Observation and experiment in psychology, as well as other methods, can have the following objects of research:
- person (or animal);
- a whole group of people.
The subject of observation can be, as a rule, only the external component of the activity (movements, movement, contacts, joint actions, speech acts, facial expressions, external manifestations of vegetative reactions, as well as various situations, both spontaneous and organized).
Observation Rules
When applying this method, there are a number of rules:
1. Systematic, multiple studies should be carried out in changing and repeating situations in order to highlight patterns and random coincidences.
2. Do not make hasty conclusions, you should certainly make alternative assumptions about what is behind this or that behavior, and check them.
3. Private situations and conditions must be compared with general ones, considering them in the context of various communities (personality as a whole, general situation, stage of mental development, for example, in relation to a child, etc.), since such consideration often completely changes the psychological the meaning of the observable.
In order to minimize the inaccuracies and errors of the study, to ensure its objectivity, as already noted, it is necessary that the researcher does not give out his presence. It is necessary to make the observer able to see, while remaining unnoticed as an explorer. Features of observation in psychology suggest the smallest possible participation of the subject in it.
This can be achieved by:
- "become familiar", that is, to make the object of study accustomed to the presence of the observer - often be present in his field of vision, as if not paying attention to him;
- explain the presence of an outsider by some purpose acceptable for the object of study, for example, to tell a teacher at school that you would like to attend a lesson in order to master its methodology;
- replace the observer with a technique that records psychic phenomena (a video camera, for example), which will ensure accurate fixation and will be less embarrassing to the observed;
- carry out the study from a dark room adjacent to the one where the observables are located, for example, separated by special Gesell glass, with one-sided light conductivity;
- use shooting with a hidden camera.
The goal should be clearly defined, since only in very rare cases, random observations lead to important discoveries.
Types of observation
Types of observation in psychology are very diverse. There is no comprehensive unified classification; therefore, we list only the main ones.
1. Systematic and random. Systematic is characterized by regularity, repeatability throughout the entire period of study. The time intervals between observations are determined by external conditions, the nature of the studied object.
2. Open or hidden. These types of observation in psychology characterize the position of the observer to the object of study. For example, with hidden observation, the researcher looks through the Gesell glass at the object of study, and with open - the observed also sees the researcher.
As a subspecies, this includes included observation, when the subject himself is a member of a group, a participant in events. Included observation can be either open or hidden (for example, if the researcher does not report that he is such, to other members of the group).
Some types of observation are as if intermediate between included and not included observation. For example, when a teacher studies the behavior of students during a lesson: here the researcher is involved in the situation, but differently than the objects of study, their positions are unequal in relation to the management of the situation.
3. Field and laboratory. Field is carried out in natural conditions for the observed, implies the absence of any initiative on the part of the researcher. This observation in psychology allows you to study the natural life of the observed object. Its disadvantages include the complexity, as well as the uncontrollability of the situation by the researcher, the impossibility of systematic observation. Laboratory provides an opportunity to study the object in a controlled, convenient for the researcher situation, however, it can significantly distort the research results.
4. Longitudinal, periodic and solitary. These species are distinguished by the time of the organization of the study. Longitudinal ("longitudinal") is carried out for a long time, often several years, and also involves continuous contact of the observer with the object. The results of such a study are noted in the form of diaries, which widely cover the lifestyle, behavior, and various habits of the studied object.
Periodic observation is the most common type of temporary organization of research. It is carried out for some precisely defined periods of time. Single, or single, observations are carried out in the form of a description of a particular case, which can be both typical and unique in the study of a particular phenomenon or process.
Observation units, their registration
Units of observation - simple or complex actions of the object of study, available to the observer. For their registration, special documents are used:
1. Surveillance card. It is necessary to register certain signs in a formalized and often encoded form. In the course of the study, several such cards can be used, separately for each unit of study.
2. Protocol of observation. Designed to capture combined results in formalized and informal procedures. It reflects the interaction of observation cards.
3. Observation diary. Psychology often uses various observation logs. They are necessary in order to fix the results of the study. They indicate not only various information about the object itself, but also the actions of the observer committed during the study.
When recording the results, various film and video equipment can also be used.
Case Study Example
Well disclosed observation method in psychology examples. Consider a specific example where this trick is used.
For example, a military researcher needs to find out which of the military personnel is prone to various offenses, for example, money-grubbing, drunkenness, and violence. The object of observation are newly arrived soldiers.
First, the researcher collects through officers of units, which include objects of research, information about them. This information can be obtained, for example, from those accompanying new arrivals to the duty station from the recruiting station, through conversation, analysis of documents. In this case, it is necessary to pay particular attention to the social environment in which the soldier grew up and was brought up (prosperous or dysfunctional, complete or incomplete family, belonging or not belonging to a group with negative value orientations), his behavior (whether or not he was held criminally or administratively liable , the presence or absence of negative characteristics from work or school), on its psychological and physiological characteristics (character traits, level of development, etc.).
Further, the researcher notes the potentially dysfunctional soldiers, analyzing the information received.
Along with this, the observer determines special features that make it possible to judge the tendency of objects to deviate behavior. It is believed that soldiers with deviant (deviant) behavior belong to soldiers whose behavior does not comply with the moral and legal standards accepted in this society. This may be, for example, dishonest attitude to official duties, disobedience to commanders, insulting colleagues, stubbornness, attempts to dominate, etc.
Based on these signs, the researchers, using mostly random observation, collect clarifying information about all the soldiers, and then a detailed research program is compiled.
The student identifies situations, categories and units of observation, prepares tools (protocols, cards, observation diaries).
An example of observation situations
The method of observation in psychology is implemented by examples of typical situations, among which it is worth noting:
- Training sessions. During such an activity, the general level of training, skills, knowledge, the degree of diligence of the soldiers is determined, the level of cohesion of the collective as a whole, the degree of its desire to acquire knowledge is revealed.
- Breaks, leisure hours. In these situations, observers may be interested in topics of conversation, leaders and their influence on other participants in the dialogues, different opinions and points of view of soldiers.
- Chores. This may be of interest to the work of the students, the various relationships between the military in carrying out economic work, as well as leaders and subordinates. It is important to note that in the presence of large volumes of labor, as well as in critical situations (during an earthquake, fire, flood), such qualities as endurance, determination, solidarity, and mutual assistance of team members are especially manifested.
- Change of guard, divorce and service. In these situations, the degree of military training, the level of skills and abilities, the motivation to perform duties, and the convictions of soldiers are revealed.
- Evening verification. Here you can pay attention to general discipline, the reaction of the military to official duties and their distribution.
Various conflict situations play a special role, in which the relations between soldiers and their behavior are most clearly manifested. It is important to note the instigators, as well as indicate the causes, dynamics and resolution of the conflict, determine the roles of various participants.
Observation in educational psychology
This type of research is mainly used in studying the behavior of students and teachers, the style of their activities. It is important to observe two basic conditions: the observed must not know what is the object of study; the researcher should not interfere with the activities of the observed.
Observation in social psychology should be carried out according to a pre-designed program. It is necessary to record only those manifestations of the activity of objects that correspond to the objectives and goals of the study. It is best to use video recording, as it allows you to study the phenomena repeatedly and ensures maximum reliability of the findings.
In pedagogical psychology, non-included observation is mainly used, but sometimes it can be included, allowing the researcher to experience first-hand what experiences the observed experience. However, one should especially strive to maintain objectivity.
Observation in developmental psychology
Here it can be either continuous or selective. If the observation covers many aspects of the behavior of the observed at the same time, for a long time, and is carried out in relation to either one or several children, it is called continuous. Moreover, some selectivity is often noted: the selection criterion is novelty. When conducting selective observation, only one specific aspect of the behavior of the studied child is indicated and evaluated, or his behavior in separate, certain situations, at certain intervals (the following examples are implemented in psychology: C. Darwin observed the manifestation of his son’s emotions, and the Russian linguist A.N. Gvozdev recorded the speech of his child during the first eight years of his life).
The value of this technique in developmental psychology is that for the application of this method there are no age restrictions for the studied object. Tracking the life of the observed over a long time allows you to find tipping points, critical periods in its development.
Observation in psychology, the examples of which we have just indicated, is most often used here to collect data at the initial stage of the study. But sometimes it is used as the main method.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I would like to note once again that only the external results of a person’s mental activity and their manifestations can be recorded and observed.However, a number of important psychological components that explain behavior remain outwardly not manifested, and therefore cannot be fixed by observation. So, for example, it is impossible to trace mental activity, various hidden emotional experiences and conditions.
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