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Natural Observational Paper

The Natural Field Observational Research is a research study in which the student studies human behavior in an observational setting.   The Natural Field Study provides the student with an opportunity to integrate major concepts from psychology studies.   Key components of the Natural Field Study are:

1.       Identification of the behavior to be observed

2.       Selection of target population and sample

3.       Literature review

4.       Design of the study

5.       Data analysis

6.       Presentation of the findings

7.       Discussion of conclusions/recommendations from the study

The student in the methodology designs a series of non-intrusive observations among the sample of the population in a pre-determined setting.   The study involves multiple observations of the sample.   A check list of possible behaviors is developed as a recording instrument.   This is primarily developed through the use of literature and the student�s knowledge of the behavior.   For example, a student may observe behavioral or communication patterns among adolescents, based upon gender designation, in a mall setting.   The student would develop a potential set of behaviors observed among females, males and male and female interactions.   Another example could be observing individuals emerging from a movie or a show for smoking, cell phone use etc. and could observe by age and gender.   One may which to record social interaction at meal time; who talks, who is addressed most frequently, etc.   It may well be that students are interested in a topic such as driving habits by gender, cell phone usage, communication styles, role behaviors and so forth.   Social psychology, health psychology, abnormal psychology and the required readings in PSY 399 may have some specific topics for consideration.   A course specified performance guide is provided to assist the student in the development of this project.   This is found in the Appendix of this Guide and in the Learning...