A-LevelPsychologyResearch methods9990/21 · Oct/Nov 2020 · Q98 Marks

Jasmin conducted an overt observation of friendship behaviours on customers in a café for many weeks. She observed the same customers every day, who initially asked her what she was doing. She explained that she was taking notes on their behaviour.

(a)Explain what made Jasmin's study an overt observation.[1]
(b)Suggest one advantage of overt observations, using Jasmin's study as an example.[2]
(c)Suggest one disadvantage of overt observations, using Jasmin's study as an example.[2]
(d)(i)Suggest two behavioural categories that Jasmin could have used to record 'friendship behaviours'.[2]
(d)(ii)For one of the behavioural categories you suggested in (d)(i): Explain one disadvantage of using this behavioural category.[1]

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2020). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] (a) 1 mark for explaining 'overt observer' (does not have to be linked, but can be)
[1] (a) The role of an overt observer is obvious to the participants = 1 (generic)
[1] (a) Jasmin is sitting openly watching and taking notes / she tells people what she is doing if they ask / she tells people that she is taking notes on their behaviour = 1 (linked)
[1] (b) 1 mark advantage
[1] (b) 1 mark link
[1] (b) She can get to know the individuals so they are used to her / she will become familiar = 1 advantage
[1] (b) So the customers she is observing will not change their behaviour because they know she is watching them = 1 link
[1] (b) It reduces risk on invading privacy / people do not have to participate / they the right to withdraw = 1 advantage
[1] (b) e.g. because customers can choose to leave if they don't want to be observed = 1 link
[1] (c) 1 mark disadvantage
[1] (c) 1 mark link
[1] (c) e.g. If the customers are getting on badly, they might choose to sit somewhere else (so they are not watched) = 1 link
[1] (c) This means her sample of behaviour would be biased as she would see more getting on well than badly = 1 disadvantage
[1] (c) Risk of social desirability / demand characteristics = 1 (disadvantage)
[1] (c) e.g. participants might show more/less friendly behaviours (because they know they are being watched) = 1 (link)
[1] (d)(i) 1 behavioural category = 1 mark × 2
[1] (d)(i) Listening (attentively) = 1
[1] (d)(i) Laughing (together) = 1
[1] (d)(i) Smiling (at each other) = 1
[1] (d)(i) Mirroring (behaviour) = 1
[1] (d)(i) Physical contact (shaking hands, high fives, hugging) = 1
[1] (d)(ii) A disadvantage of a category of friendship behaviour from 9(d)(i) = 1
[1] (d)(ii) Listening attentively might be hard to judge because they could just look attentive but really be daydreaming = 1