Naturalistic Observation in Psychology

The video tutorial explains naturalistic observation, a method where researchers watch and record behavior in real-life settings without manipulation. It contrasts this with field experiments, where variables are manipulated. The tutorial outlines different types of naturalistic observation, such as participant and non-participant, overt and covert, structured and unstructured. It highlights the benefits, including studying unmanipulable phenomena and testing external validity, while also addressing challenges like observer bias and demand characteristics. Despite its limitations, naturalistic observation provides valuable insights into real-world behavior.

Identify and explain some limitations associated with naturalistic observation.

How can observer bias affect the outcomes of naturalistic observation studies?