7.1.3

Covert, Overt & Controlled Observation

Test yourself

Covert, Overt & Controlled Observation

You need to know the difference between covert and overt observation. You also need to know what a controlled observation is.

Illustrative background for Covert observation (under cover)Illustrative background for Covert observation (under cover) ?? "content

Covert observation (under cover)

  • Participants are unaware they are being observed and this reduces demand characteristics; participants act naturally.
  • However, participants have not given consent and therefore it is unethical. Care must be taken not to invade participant’s privacy. As a general rule, it is permissible to observe people in a public place, where they could reasonably expect that others may witness their behaviour. However, in psychological research you are not allowed to record observations using video or audio equipment without the participants’ consent.
Illustrative background for Overt observation (in the open) Illustrative background for Overt observation (in the open)  ?? "content

Overt observation (in the open)

  • Participants are aware they are being observed.
  • This is obviously more ethical but leads to demand characteristics (remember how your teachers’ behaviour changed when they had an Ofsted inspector in the room).
Illustrative background for Controlled observationIllustrative background for Controlled observation ?? "content

Controlled observation

  • Unlike in naturalistic observation, in a controlled observation the researcher has set up a situation and observes what happens.
  • It is not an experiment as there are no independent and dependent variables.
  • Mary Ainsworth’s (1969) Strange Situation is an example of a controlled observation.

Jump to other topics

1Social Influence

2Memory

3Attachment

4Psychopathology

5Approaches in Psychology

6Biopsychology

7Research Methods

8Issues & Debates in Psychology (A2 only)

9Option 1: Relationships (A2 only)

10Option 1: Gender (A2 only)

11Option 1: Cognition & Development (A2 only)

12Option 2: Schizophrenia (A2 only)

13Option 2: Eating Behaviour (A2 only)

14Option 2: Stress (A2 only)

15Option 3: Aggression (A2 only)

16Option 3: Forensic Psychology (A2 only)

17Option 3: Addiction (A2 only)

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