SEMINAR ON PSYCHOLOGY

BY, TEENA

VARGHESE

ENGLISH.

OBSERVATIONDEFINITION :The inspection of the overt

behaviour of a person in appropriate situations. Specific, quantitative, systematic, recorded

immediately, should be repeated at a no. Of times.Observation is one of the most common method used

for getting information about various things around us.It acts as the fundamental and basic method of getting information about anything.Oxford Concise dictionary defines it as:’Observation means accurate watching,noting the phenomenon by which they occur in nature with regarrd to the cause and effect of mutual relations.’Science begins with observation and at the end also uses it for the final validation.’

FEATURES OF OBSERVATION1.EYE OBSERVATION Observation involves the use

of eyes rather than the use of ears and voice.eg:The work experienceed people never believes hearsay rather only believes if he has observed that with his own eyes .

2.AIM Observations made by the researchers are

brought in use with some or other aims to achieve something.eg:the discovery of something.

3.PLANNING Value of an observation is only if it is

done properly in a planned manner.To get an in depth under standing of the activity observation should be well-planned.

4.RECORDING After the observation things tend to

get out of the mind.So it is very important to keep a record of such activities.Tape,videocameras,etc are very effective.By using these the chances of getting wrong or seems to be very less.

5.PHYSICAL AND MENTAL ACTIVITY Sense

organs have a very critical role to play in observation process.During the observation one has to use his sense organs for seeing and hearing things and then has to keep in mind the whole set of observations for an in depth analysis of the matter later on.

6.EXACTNESS Observation should be based on

standardized tools of research which makes an observation exact in its nature of working.

7.DIRECT STUDY Observation is a very vital

scientific method that helps a lot in the collection of the primary information that is reliable in nature in which direct study of the situation is involved.

TYPES OF OBSERVATION

PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION• Observer becomes part of the group.• members are unconscious of him.• Freely mingles with them.• Hence members will not hide their actual

behaviour• The main aim is to gain a close and intimate

familiarity with a given group of individuals.• It was used by the anthropologists and they were

able to gain and formulate first hand accounts.• The researcher must ensure the ethical

boundaries and a clearly established boundaries before the onset of the study.eg.observation of illegal activities.

•

NON PARTICIPANT OBSERVATIONIt is a data collection method in which the

observer enters a social system to observe events,activities,and interactions with the aim of gaining a direct understanding of a phenomenon in its natural context.

Observer observes the group without actually participating in activities.

Observer is unbiased ,observe even minute things.

Members may hide their actual behaviour.Non participant observer adopts a distant

and seperate role than that of participant observer.

CONTROLLED OBSERVATION• It is a type of observation where the conditions

are contrived by the observer.• This type of obsrvation are carried out in a

laboratories and are high in control.• It is an inspection made within the confines of

standard and systematic circumstances instead of casual and incidental ones.

It allows the researchers to obtain a base value that could be trusted with regard to the experiment.

Observation is made under controlled conditions.

Observer uses an experimental lab for the purpose.

Children are allowed to enter the lab and are being observed by the observer under CCTV.

UNCONTROLLED OBSERVATIONThe method where the researcher is free to

examine responses of the people,without recording of people s behaviour.

This observation takes place in natural setting.

This method does not use any standardised observational techniques .

Natural observation on incidents which happen spontaneously.

Eg: observing the boys at play.

MERITS OF OBSERVATIONApplicable for the children of all ages.Does not require any special tool or

equipments.Adaptable to both the individual and groups.By observing one can identify a problem by

making an in depth analysis of the problems.The problem of depending on respondents is

decreased.It is the very direct method of getting

informatiion-best for the study of human behaviour.

Data collected is very accurate in nature and also reliable.

DEMERITS OF OBSERVATIONPersonal prejudices and bias of the observer.100% accuracy cannot be ensured as observation

is recorded after the actions of the observed.Reveals only the overt behaviour than introvert.Observations like controlled observations require

some especial instruments or tools for the effective working which are very costly.

Attitudes cannot be studied through this means.Sampling cannot be brought into use.It involves a lot of time as one has to wait for an

event to study that particular event.Complete answer to any problem cannot be

obtained by observation alone.

EDUCATIONAL IMPLICATIONSChildren could be observed clearly , and can

help them to overcome their problems which where revealed through observation.

Children should be appreciated for their positives and should rectify their mistakes.

It enable teachers , parents etc to develop the talents and to give proper attention according to the types of children.

CONCLUSIONObservation is the active acquisition of

information from a primary source.In living beings,observation employs the senses.In science,observation can also involve the recording of the data by using various instruments.More datas are collected during the scientific activities.Observation can be qualitative,specific and can be repeated a no. Of times.

Through this type of observations ,eventhough the means are different knowledge can be aquuired to every observer.As observation plays a significant role in one s life and achievment,it is an important aspect in the methodology of teachers so as to improve the child in every ways of life.

MULIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

1.The examination of something for collecting the data is known as

a)Introspection b)Observationc)Interview d)Survey2.The type of observation where the observer

becomes part of the groupa)Controlled observation b)uncontrolled

c)participant d)non participant3.The type of method in educational psychology

where the manifold objects are being used a)Observation b)uncontrolled c)controlled d)participant.

4.The observation which occur naturally and spontaneously is known as

a)Continuous observation b)participant observationc)Uncontrolled observation d)both a &b.

5.A girl watching a baby at play is an example ofa)Group observation b)unnatural observationc)Uncontrolled observation d)none of the above.6.The type of observation usually performed by the

investigatorsa)Participant observation b)nonparticipantc)Controlled d)uncontrollede)All of the above.7.CCTV and other objects are quitely used in a)Participant observation b)experimental

observationc)Non participant observationd)controlled observation.8.The kind of observation where the observer

observes without any participation

a)Non participant b)group observation c)alienated observation d)live observation.

9.A college uses the camera system to observe the discipline and behaviour of its students.This comes under a)Participant observation

b)Controlled observation c)clinical observationd)None of the above.10.The method of educational psychology which

reveals the overt behaviour only &not that is within is

a)Clinical method b)observation methodc)Experimental method d)case study method.

THANK YOU