1. Methods of Observation
Chapter 2 – section 3

2. The Testing Method Intelligence testing Aptitude testing
Personality testing

3. The Case Study Method
An in depth study of an individual or small group
Techniques for learning about subjects can include observation, interview of the subject or people who know them, research into personal history
Psychologists are cautious not to make generalizations based on case study

4. Some case studies lack reliability because people may forget or distort events.
Researchers may also unintentionally encourage people to answer a certain way.

5. Longitudinal Method
To study topics such as development psychologists use this method.
Usually conducted at regular intervals
Can be time consuming, expensive and there is no guarantee subjects will be available over long periods of time.

6. Cross Sectional Method
The sample includes people from various age groups
Researchers compare behavior between groups
Can be used to avoid the pitfalls of a longitudinal study but it is less reliable.

7. The Naturalistic Observation
Also called field study
Includes observing someone in a natural situation
It is important for the researcher not to interfere.

8. Laboratory – Observation Method
Can be formal or informal settings
Used often to study animals
Skinner boxes
Used because observation in a natural setting is not practical or to control environment.

9. Analyzing Observation
Correlation is often used to analyze information.
Correlation measures how closely things are related.
The stronger the correlation the more closely things are related.
Correlation describes relationships it does not reveal cause and effect.
Ex. Ice cream sales and crime rate

10. Positive Correlation – as one item increase so does the other.
Ex. Need for achievement and salary
Negative Correlation – as one item increases the other decreases
Ex. Stress and Health

11. Positive Correlation

12. Negative Correlation

13. No Correlation