Observation is what? Types of observations

What is observation? This is a research method that is used in psychology for an organized and purposeful perception and study of an object. It is used where the interference of the observer can disrupt the process of interaction of the individual with the environment. This method is especially needed when you need to get a full picture of what is happening and understand people's behavior.

What is observation?

Observation is a specially organized and fixed perception of an object. It can be indirect and direct, internal and external, not included and included, indirect and direct, selective and continuous, laboratory and field.

By its systematic nature, it is divided into:

1. Non-systematic observation is a method in which a generalized picture of the behavior of a group of people or of an individual individual is created under certain conditions. In this case, the goal is not to fix the causal dependence and the formation of strict descriptions of phenomena.

2. Systematic , which is conducted according to a strictly defined plan. The researcher at the same time registers features of behavior and environmental conditions.

On fixed objects it is divided into:

1. Selective observation is a method in which an observer captures only certain parameters of behavior.

2. Continuous , in which the researcher captures all the features of behavior without exception.

According to the form of observation, they distinguish:

1. Conscious observation is the way in which the observed person knows that he is being watched. In this case, the observed, as a rule, is aware of the research objectives. But there are cases when the object is informed of the false goals of observation. This is done because of ethical concerns about the findings.

Disadvantages of the conscious type of observation: the psychological influence of the observer on the object, because of this, it is often necessary to make several observations of the object.

Features: the observer can influence the behavior and actions of the object, which, if thoughtlessly staged, can greatly change the results; Observed, in turn, may, due to some psychological reasons, give false actions for their usual, embarrassed or give vent to their emotions; This observation can not be carried out in the daily life of a person.

2. Internal unconscious observation is a way in which observable people are not aware of the fact that they are being monitored. In this case, the researcher becomes part of the monitoring system. An example is the situation when a psychologist is implanted in a group of hooligans and does not report his intentions.

This form of observation is convenient for a qualitative study of the behavior in a society of small groups. In this case, the presence of an observer becomes natural, which in no way affects the results of the study.

Disadvantages of unconscious observation: the difficulty of obtaining results; The researcher can be dragged into a conflict of values.

Features: the object under study does not know anything about what is being observed; The researcher gets a lot of information about the observed.

3. External unconscious observation is the way in which the object under study does not know anything about observation, and the observer himself conducts his work without direct contact with the object. This method is convenient because the observer does not restrict the behavior of the observed and does not provoke their false actions.