The Human Observation Project Should Consist Of Aminimum Of Five Typed
The Human Observation Project Should Consist Of Aminimum Of Five Typed
The Human Observation Project should consist of a minimum of five typed pages. Information should be provided for each section of the Observation Project Form. The project is divided into two sections: the gathering of baseline information and behavior change. Be sure that the project submission adheres to the following formatting requirements: use double-spacing, size 12 font, and set margins to one inch on all sides. Include your name and course title on the first page. Write in complete sentences, using good English grammar and correct spelling. Avoid personal pronouns and statements such as "I believe" or "My research proved that." In objective, naturalistic research, your opinion is not as important as your findings. Your research may suggest that, support the hypothesis, or indicate, but it does not necessarily prove anything. Charts and graphs are part of an "A" paper but are not part of the basic page count.
References to outside sources may also be part of an A or B level paper. Information should be provided for each section as outlined below. APA documentation style must be used when citing references in context and in the bibliography (if any).
Key Terms
Statement of the Problem: Explain the problem behavior and convince the reader it needs to be closely observed before deciding how to change it.
Theory: A prediction about what will be observed. It is a general statement, e.g., most males or females do not wash their hands after using the restroom.
Hypothesis: Must be written to test the theory, e.g., between 11:00 and 1:00 on Monday and Wednesday at McDonald’s, most patrons will not dispose of trash properly or return their tray.
Procedure: Describe step-by-step how the observation was conducted, including where the observer sat, visibility, and data collection methods, written in enough detail for replication.
Results: Present numerical data, counts, and percentages to show the observed behavior.
Discussion: Summarize the results in simpler language, indicating the significance and potential application of the findings.
Section 1: Naturalistic Observation
The first part involves unobtrusive observation of a selected human behavior, establishing a baseline. Choose a behavior encountered daily, such as eye contact, hand washing, door opening, response times, helpful or courteous behaviors, or responses to specific signals or signs. The behavior must be isolated to a single event, and observations should be recorded objectively, counting instances and calculating percentages. The goal is to determine what the behavior looks like under normal circumstances without interference, forming a foundation for potential behavior change interventions.
Section 2: Experiment
The second part involves an intervention aimed at modifying the behavior. Once the baseline is established, introduce a variable to influence the behavior—such as placing honey on door handles to increase hand washing or using visual cues to alter compliance. Re-observe to record any changes in behavior, and analyze whether the variable had a significant effect. This section should include a clear statement of the problem, the steps taken to implement the variable, and the resulting behavior counts, leading to evaluation of the hypothesis.
Conclusion
This project requires detailed observation, clear formulation of theory and hypotheses, methodical implementation of interventions, careful data collection, and meaningful discussion of results. Proper APA citations are essential for all references used, including the textbook or external sources. The findings should provide insights into the behavior pattern and effectiveness of the intervention, contributing to understanding human responses in naturalistic settings and how behaviors can be influenced for positive change.
References
Anderson, D. R., & Jeffries, C. (2021). Behavioral research approaches. Journal of Social Psychology, 160(4), 503-518.
Buss, D. M. (2019). Evolutionary psychology: The new paradigm. American Psychologist, 74(2), 104–115.
Cook, T. D., & Campbell, D. T. (1979). Quasi-experimentation: Design & analysis issues for field settings. Houghton Mifflin.
Galotti, K. M. (2017). Cognitive psychology in and out of the laboratory. Cengage Learning.
Morling, B. (2020). Research methods in psychology. W. W. Norton & Company.
Skinner, B. F. (1953). Science and human behavior. Free Press.
Trochim, W. M. (2006). Research methods knowledge base. Atomic Dog Publishing.
Watson, J. B. (1913). Psychology as the behaviorist views it. Psychological Review, 20(2), 158–177.
Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications. Sage Publications.
McLeod, S. (2018). Behavioral theories in psychology. Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org