Observation Method

                       

Observation is systematic study of behavior in natural setting. In this method natural setting is not disturbed and variables are not manipulated. The observer only carefully observes and records information. This method is most often used for describing behavior (first goal of psychology). However, this method can also be used to find out the cause and effect relationship. After making a number of observations, the psychologist can, using certain logic, try to infer the causes of behavior being studied. Example of observation: in one study sommer (1977) (Cited from Wade and Tarvis (1990)) tried to find out whether people who drink in bars consume more alcohol when they re n groups than when they are alone. He visited all32 pubs in a middle-sized city, ordering beers, and proceeded to record on napkins and pieces of newspaper how much the other people would drink. He found that drinkers in group consumed more than individuals who were alone and people drink slowly when they were in group. Thus it can be said that observation method gives insight in explaining various human behaviors and to some extent on their causes. Psychologists have classified observation method in various ways. According to involvement of observer observation method can be divided into two categories are (1) participatory observation (2) Non-participatory observation