Describe one similarity and one difference between observations and self-reports, using any examples.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2018). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [2] **Similarity:** Observations and self-reports can both use participants who are aware that they are being studied (e.g., in Dement and Kleitman/Milgram, participants knew they were being watched and asked questions).
2. [2] **Similarity:** Observations and self-reports can both collect data about behaviours.
3. [2] **Difference:** Only observations can use participants who are unaware that they are being studied (e.g., in Bandura et al./Schachter and Singer/Piliavin et al. participants were unaware they were being observed).
4. [2] **Difference:** Only self-reports can collect data about emotions because emotions/beliefs cannot be directly observed as they are 'internal'.