Non-Participant Observations

Analysis

A Key Study:

The Bobo Doll Experiment - Bandura (1961)

Reference {IV}

A Young Girl Hitting Bobo

Reference {II}

A Young Boy Pointing a Gun at Bobo

Bandura (1961) is a perfect example of a non-participant observation investigation.

As the researcher, Albert Bandura, was in no way associated in the method/process of the experiment, it is therefore a non-participant observation.

Through the use of this research method, the researcher was able to obtain more realistic and natural behaviour from the children and there were low demand characteristics.

Video of Bandura (1961)

The purpose of Bandura (1961), was to investigate if social behaviours, aggression in this case, can be acquired by observation and imitation. The independent variable was the type of model and the dependent variable was the behaviour.

A lab experiment was conducted with 72 participants, who were children aged 3-6 years old. There were 3 types of models which were the aggressive model shown to 24 children (third of sample space); the non-aggressive model shown to another 24 children; and the control group with no model shown to the last 24 children. Between these 3 models there was a male and female for each one and 6 boys and 6 girls were allocated to each one. The children “observed” their models who acted aggressively towards a toy called the Bobo doll which was the aggressive model group and the non-aggressive model group acted non-aggressive towards the doll. The control group was not exposed to anything at all. The children were then taken into a room full of toys which were then taken away from them leaving the Bobo Doll.

Results demonstrated, that the children who observed the aggressive model were more likely subjected to imitated aggressive behaviour compared to the non-aggressive group and control group. Findings also demonstrate that boys are more likely to imitate same-sex models (males) than girls and the findings for girls imitating same-sex models were not strong.

Bandura (1961) concluded that children are able to learn social behaviour such as aggression through observational learning.

Bandura (1961) is a great example of the non-participant observation research method:

Reference {III}

Actions of the Children (Imitations of the Model)

What are some strengths to this research method?

Is there any weaknesses to this method?

There are many strengths to this research method such as:

• The experiment is more natural
• The experiment is more real
• The experiment has low demand characteristics

Conclusion

As well as strengths in the non-participant observation research method, there are also some limitations, such as:

• It lacks control over the whole experiment
• There is/can be observer bias
• There are some ethical issues

What is a Non-Participant Observation?

Bibliography & References

• McLeod, S.M. [2011]. Bobo Doll Experiment. Retrieved 23 October, from http://www.simplypsychology.org/bobo-doll.html
• Law, A.L., Halkiopoulus, C.H., Bryan-Zaykov, C.B. [2010]. Psychology, Developed Specifically for the IB Diploma. [Pages 19, 20]. London: Pearson Education Limited.
• Hannibal, J.H. [2012]. Psychology for the IB Diploma. [Pages 154, 155, 156, 157]. New York: Oxford University Press
• Crane, J., & Hannibal, J. (2009). Psychology. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Hannibal, J. (2012). IB Study Guide. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

PHOTOS & VIDEOS:

{I} Study Blue - Taylor K, 2015

https://www.studyblue.com/notes/note/n/exam-two/deck/5875054

{II} Glogster - toriandlaura, 2007-2012

http://www.glogster.com/toriandlaura/pinboard-glog-by-toriandlaura-albert-bandura/g-6ljplrlr87glt1clii866a0

{III} WJEC Psychology, WJEC AS PSYCHOLOGY REVISION - Georgia Saville 26/11/2012

http://wjecaspsychology.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/an-example-of-social-learning-theory.html

{IV} YouTube - Gijsbert van Eijsden, uploaded 23/03/2011

youtube.com/ watch?v=06fTnszze_Q

Non-Participant Observation is a great research method to collect qualitative data, limit ecological validity and increase realistic and natural settings.

Bandura (1961) demonstrates a non-participant observation and provides the wider population with information on how human beings imitate each other's actions.

A Non-Participant Observation is an when in an investigation, the researcher is not included in the investigation's activity and takes observations from the side lines.

This method collects qualitative data.

Reference {I}

What Types of Non-Participant Observations are There?

Example of a Non-Participant Observation: The Bobo Doll Experiment

There are two types of non-participant observations:

• Covert - When the researcher of the investigation keeps everything confidential to the participant, therefore keeping the study more realistic.
• Overt - When the researcher of the investigation is open to all questions of the participants concerning the study, and can therefore influence some of the participants however consent is obtained. This can mean revealing the researcher's identity, the aim of the experiment, etc.

Non-Participant Observations