In this article, we offer you to consider one of the main methods, which include research methods in psychology.Surveillance involves the purposeful and deliberate perception of the object of study.In the social sciences, its use poses the greatest difficulty, as subject and object of study - a man, and therefore the results can bring in subjective assessments of the observer, his attitude and installation.
Observation - one of the main empirical methods, the simplest and most common in the wild.To the results were accurate, the observer should stand aside, to be unnoticed or become part of a group, which includes the object of observation, mixed with her not to call attention to himself.The investigator shall record and evaluate the events associated with the purpose of observation.
elements of this technique include theoretical thinking (variety of instructional techniques, monitoring results, interpretation) and quantitative analysis (factor analysis, scaling, etc.).
learn the basic methods of psychology, be sure to note the observation and the ability to apply.It's one of the main tricks used by modern science.
necessary to say that the observation in psychology is necessarily somewhat subjective.The degree of subjectivity can reduce the rejection of fast conclusions and generalizations, repeated observations, and use it along with other methods.It is better that the study involved several observers.To increase the effectiveness of this method, often used different maps observations and questionnaires.They allow you to focus on the most important points, and not be distracted by non-essential.
The characteristics of observations
observation psychology is always done with a purpose, by prearranged plan, is equipped with a variety of objects necessary to fix the results and of the process itself.
This method allows you to collect empirical data, generate ideas about the objects of research and test various conjectures and theories associated with it.
Monitoring provides knowledge through direct contact, based on the testimony of the senses, so it is the first in the history of scientific methods.
methods of psychology (observation, experiment, etc.) Have their own characteristics.These features allow you to select them as a separate study.The observation in psychology different type of relation to the object (for example, in an interview or an expert experiment creates special conditions causing a particular phenomenon), the presence of direct contact with him (which is absent in the study of products of activities, and are not always present in the experiment).
From a methodological point of view, it has an inherent flexibility, it is possible to use surveillance in relation to a wide range of different mental phenomena, as well as flexibility (the presence of the possibility of change "field coverage" of an object or a hypothesis in the research process) and the minimum requirements for technical, hardware,procedure.In this method, the psychology of observation, experiment, and others are very different.
in the scientific literature, the terms "observation", "objective observation" and "external use" are often used interchangeably.Psychic life - a complex phenomenon, inaccessible to direct gaze outside, hidden from prying eyes.Therefore, initially the only method of psychology is introspection (introspection), and only with the development of science external observation was applied when the observation was carried out after the man (psychology, sociology, and other sciences).
In domestic psychology the basic principles of surveillance described in the works of such scholars as SL Rubinstein, Vygotsky, Leontiev.
Forms objects
Observation and experiment in psychology, as well as other methods, may have the following research subjects:
- a person (or animal);
- a whole group of people.
object of observation can be, as a rule, only the external component of the (movement, move, touch, joint actions, speech acts, facial expressions, symptoms of autonomic responses, as well as a variety of situations both spontaneous and organized).
Terms observation
With this method, there are some rules:
1. There should be systematic, multiple studies in a changing and repetitive situations, to highlight patterns and coincidences.
2. Do not make hasty conclusions should be sure to make alternative assumptions about what is behind this or that behavior, and test them.
3. Private situations and conditions must be compared with the general, seeing them in the context of the various communities (the person as a whole, the overall situation, the stage of mental development, for example, in relation to the child, and so on. D.), Since such an examination is often completelypsychological meaning of the observed changes.
To minimize inaccuracies and errors of research, to ensure its objectivity, as already noted, it is necessary that the researcher did not betray their presence.It is necessary to ensure that an observer could see himself while remaining undetected as a researcher.Features of observation in psychology involve the least possible participation of the subject.
This can be done as follows:
- "become familiar", that is to make sure that the object of study is used to the presence of observers - often present in his field of vision as if not paying attention to him;
- explain the presence of some extraneous purpose, acceptable to the object of study, for example, a teacher at the school said that you would like to attend the lesson to master his technique;
- replace the observer technique, recording psychic phenomena (the video camera, for example), which will provide accurate and fixation will be less confusing observed;
- to carry out the study of the dark room adjacent to the one where there are observed, for example, separated from it by a special glass Gesell, with single-sided light-conducting;
- to use a hidden camera shooting.
The goal should be precisely formed, because only in very rare cases, random observations lead to important discoveries.
Species observations
Types observation in psychology are very diverse.Comprehensive unified classification is not, so we list only the main ones.
1. Systematic and random.Systematic characterized by regularity, repeatability throughout the study period.The time intervals between the observations are determined by external conditions, the nature of the object being studied.
2. Open or hidden.These kinds of observation in psychology characterize the position of the observer to the object of study.For example, in the covert surveillance researcher looking through a glass Gesell on the object of study, and in the open - also sees the researcher observed.
as subspecies here refers observation, when the subject is himself a member of a party event.Participant observation can be both open and hidden (for example, if the researcher does not report is that it is such other members of the group).
Certain observations are an intermediate between on and supervision of the non-inclusion.For example, when the teacher studies the behavior of students during class: here the researcher involved in the situation, but other than objects of study and their unequal position in relation to the management of the situation.
3. Field and laboratory.Field wiring for the observed in vivo conditions, implies the absence of any initiative was part of the researcher.This observation allows us to study the psychology of the natural life of the observed object.Its disadvantages include the complexity and lack of control over the situation the researcher, the impossibility of systematic observation.Laboratory provides the opportunity to study the object in a controlled, friendly explorer situation, but can significantly distort the results of the study.
4. Longitudinal, periodic and solitary.These types are distinguished by the time the organization of the study.Longitudinal ("longitudinal") is carried out for a long time, often several years, and involves continuous contact with the observer object.The results of this study are found in the form of diaries, which are widely covering lifestyle, behavior, different habits of the object being studied.
periodic surveillance - the most common form of temporal organization of research.It is carried out within certain well-defined periods of time.Single or one-time, observations are made in the form of a description of the individual case, which can be both typical and unique in the study of a phenomenon or process.
units of observation, registration
observation unit - simple or complex studies of existing facilities available to the observer.For registration use special documents:
1. Card observation.It is necessary to register certain attributes in a formalized and often encrypted.In the course of the study can be used a few of these cards separately for each unit of study.
2. Minutes of observation.Designed to capture the combined results in formal and non-formalized procedures.It reflects the interaction observation cards.
3. diary.Psychology often uses different logbooks.They are necessary in order to fix the results of the study.They point not only to a variety of information about the object itself, but also committed in the course of studying the effect of the observer.
When recording the results can be used as various film and video equipment.
Example of observation
Good open method of observation in psychology examples.Consider a specific example of where this technique is used.
example, military researchers need to figure out who among soldiers prone to various offenses, such as greed, drunkenness, violence.The object of observation are newly arrived soldiers.
first researcher collects through officers of departments, which include research facilities, information about them.This information can be obtained, for example, accompanied by newcomers to the place of military service to the point, with the help of conversations, analysis of documents.It should particularly pay attention to what the social environment was raised soldiers (prosperous or unfavorable, complete or incomplete family owned or neprinadlezhaschaya the group with negative value orientations), its behavior (attract or have no criminal or administrative liabilitythe presence or absence of negative characteristics to work or study), its psychological and physiological characteristics (traits, level of development, and others.).
Next, the researchers noted a potentially troubled soldiers, analyzing the information obtained.
With this observer defines special features allowing to judge the tendency of objects to deviant behavior.It is believed that persons with deviant (deviant) behavior belong to the soldiers whose behavior does not conform to the society moral and legal norms.This could be, for example, negligent of duty, disobeying commanders insult colleagues, stubbornness, attempts to dominate, and so on. D.
Based on these characteristics, the researchers with the help of mainly casual observation collect specific information about all the soldiers, and thendrawn up a detailed program of research.
The student identifies situations, categories and observation units, prepares tools (reports, cards, diaries, observations).
example of a situation monitoring
implements methods of observation in psychology examples of typical situations, among which it is worth noting:
- Training sessions.During these activities is determined by the overall level of training, skills, knowledge, the degree of diligence soldiers revealed the level of team unity as a whole, the degree of its commitment to knowledge.
- breaks, leisure time.In these situations, the observer may be interested in the theme of conversations, the leaders and their influence on other participants in the dialogues, different opinions and points of view of the soldiers.
- Chores.It may be of interest related to the work being studied, the various relationships between the military in the performance of chores, as well as leaders and subordinates.Importantly, the presence of large amounts of labor, as well as in critical situations (an earthquake, fire, flood) is particularly manifest such qualities as endurance, commitment, solidarity, mutual assistance team members.
- Changing of the Guard, divorce and alert.In these situations, revealed a degree of military training, the level of skills and motivation to perform the duties, beliefs soldiers.
- Evening verification.You can pay attention to the general discipline, the military response to the duties and their distribution.
special role played by various conflict situations in which the most evident relationship between the soldiers and their behavior.It is important to note the instigators, and specify the reasons for the dynamics of conflict and isolation, to determine the role of the various participants.
observation of educational psychology
This type of research is mainly used in the study of the behavior of students and teachers, the style of their work.It is important to observe two fundamental conditions: observed should not know what is the object of study;the researcher should not interfere in the activities observed.
observation of social psychology should be carried out according to a previously developed program.Locking must be only the manifestation of the activity of objects that match the goals and objectives of the research.It is best to use video recording, as it allows us to study the phenomenon many times and ensures maximum reliability of the findings.
in educational psychology is mainly used unincorporated observation, but sometimes can be conducted and included that allows the researcher to experience first hand what experiences are experiencing observed.However, this particular should strive to maintain objectivity.
observation psychology
where it may be as a solid, and selective.If the observation encompasses many aspects of the behavior observed simultaneously for a long time, and is carried out against any one or more children, it is called continuous.Thus often there is some selectivity: selection criterion novelty acts.In the implementation of sample survey indicated and measured only one particular aspect of behavior studied child or his behavior in some, certain situations, at intervals (implementing such surveillance in the psychology of the following examples: Charles Darwin observed the expression of emotions his son, and domestic linguistGvozdev recorded speech of their child during the first eight years of his life).
The value of this technique in psychology is that using this method there is no age limit for the object under study.Tracing the life of the observed over time allows you to find the turning points, critical periods in its development.
observation psychology, examples of which we have just indicated, there is most often used to collect data at the initial stage of the study.But sometimes it is used, and as the main method.
