Describe the similarities and differences between naturalistic and controlled observations, using any examples.

Mark scheme

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

1. [6] 1 mark for each definition, up to a maximum of 2 in total if there is no explicit comparison.
2. 1 mark for each identified point of comparison + 1 mark for elaboration with both types of observation.
3. 1 mark for each example that is linked to one type of observation.
4. Examples can include examples from studies using such observations, or of ways it could be used. 4 marks for each type of observation.
5. Max 2 marks in total for all one side e.g. all about naturalistic observations, i.e. no correct comparisons.
6. For example:
7. Naturalistic observations are where the participants are being observed without interference (1 for definition)
8. ∞ such as if children's aggression was observed during school playtime (1 for detail)
9. ∞ for example in Dement and Kleitman the participants' eye movements were initially observed without interrupting their dreaming (1 for example)
10. Controlled observation is when participants are in a situation which is set up for the observation (1 for definition)
11. ∞ such as if helping behaviour was watched when a stooge pretended to lose a contact lens (1 for detail)
12. ∞ for example in Bandura et al. the aggressive play situation was artificial/ in Schachter and Singer the happy/angry stooge created the situation / in Piliavin et al. the participants' reactions were observed to the ill/drunk victim (1 for example)
13. Naturalistic observations:
14. ∞ Are in 'natural' / 'naturalistic' settings (taken to mean non-manipulated settings)
15. ∞ unlike controlled observations which are in controlled / artificial settings
16. ∞ can be overt or covert (i.e. role of the observer is hidden or not)
17. ∞ though usually hidden in naturalistic observations so also accept 'always covert'
18. ∞ like / unlike controlled observations where the observer may or may not be hidden
19. ∞ can be participant or non-participant (i.e. part of the social group being observed or not)
20. ∞ like controlled observations where the observer may or may not be part of group.