Natural observation is the study of human or animal behavour in real world or natural settings (Yasukawa, 2014). In natural observations, the researcher records what he/she observes in whatever way he or she can. Therefore one can assert that such method of observation exerts strengths and limitations when conducting research. As such, in an article by Ross et al (2011) on distinct laugh patterns in chimpanzees, one may argue the strengths and limitations of naturalist observation as evident in the said study. For example, the use of natural observation enabled the researchers to understand the dynamic processes that underlie the behaviour of subjects (Seemungal, 2015: Unit 2), therefore Ross et al were able to comprehend and assert that socialization through play maintenance was integral to laugh elicited laughter in chimpanzees. Another strength of naturalist observation is that it provides great ecological validity given that researchers …show more content…
Furthermore, Ross et al (2011) noted that expressions such laughter and smile are integral tools for emotional intelligence. Not only this, but the article also informed that humans ability to produce distinct responses is an indication of an important component of emotional intelligence and empathy. In addition, the article questioned the emotional intelligence of human’s ability to produce convincing Duchenne laughter, also exploring the possibility of such intelligence in great apes. In contrast, based on the findings of Ross et al (2011) the ability of chimpanzees to produce laugh elicit laughter is an indication of their emotional intelligence , that is they are able to appropriately manage and respond to their feelings and the feelings of their playmates in order to promote cohesion which is a social
Naturalistic observation involves recording subjects' naturally occurring behavior while they are in their natural environment. This experiment revolves around this type of observation. Specifically, it involves the observation of the various human dyads (male-female, male-male, female-female,) social interaction, within in a public environment. Focal points of observation included conversation space (distance between individuals heads,), and body language.
Despite a lack of scientific academic education, Jane Goodall’s work on the chimpanzees made revolutionary breakthrough in the field of understanding chimpanzee behavior. It was all made possible by her firm belief on her unconventional methods which academics in the field eyed with cynicism and felt was pointless. Such pessimistic outlook on her efforts from established academics did not blight her morale; instead she carried on with her methods of analyzing the chimpanzee population with full enthusiasm and self belief.
The topic studied in this naturalistic observational research study was called “pick me up.” The purpose of this study was to place a note card on the ground labeled “pick me up” and observe the type of person that picked the card up. The research question was “Which gender will pick up the card more and which gender will react more?” The researchers had three hypotheses: (1) More women will smile when reading the card than men, (2) More men than women will notice the card and continue walking, and (3) More men than women will notice the card.
Norman Cousins said, “Laughter is a powerful way to tap positive emotions" (Moss 1). Humor is studied by many researchers in sociology, psychology, art, literature, and medicine. When people wonder whether humor aids in areas other than health, a treasure trove of possible benefits to the learning or educational community is opened up. Humor can be used as a tool to promote learning.Research speaks to the many benefits of humor in healing, to its benefits in the classroom or boardroom, from reducing stress of students or employees, to boosting self-esteem and feelings of camaraderie. Additionally, studies show that those who use humor to convey a message are often more favorably perceived. Humor helps deliver the presenter's message to
It is important that when Observing and recording you of selecting the appropriate method to suit desired aim of the observation it. We do observations to help look at the different areas of development i.e. physical, intellectual, emotional, and social.
My observation locations are Starbucks and restaurant. I chose them as my observation location because those are the places where people normally talk, study, socialize and interact in a casual manner.
Central Idea/ Thesis statement: There are several benefits of laughter in terms of physical, mental and social.
In order to study human development and perform naturalistic observation I went to the mall. I selected a 9-year-old white girl as the subject for my observation. I observed the subject for 30 minutes. During my observation the subject was not interrupted and was not aware of my study.
Emotions play an extremely important role in human mental life. Unlike the chimpanzee, human emotions are easier to read because of their physical responses such as tears in their eyes or their lips changing shape. In the same way as chimpanzees, humans use gestures to communicate with each other, yet they use words instead of sounds.
This paper aims to study the traits of non-human primates. By observing two types of primates including Common Squirrel Monkey (Saimiri sciureus) and Western Gorillas (Gorilla Gorillas), I try to find out their characteristics, pattern of their behavior, and differences between these two primate species. Especially, characteristics and behavior such as social interaction, food acquisition and intelligence will be discussed and compared in this paper. In order to enhance the persuasiveness of my observation, I recorded and examined at least 25 distinct characteristics of both Common Squirrel Monkeys and Western Gorillas. It is also helpful for me to compare these two primates. Apart from exploring the primates’ traits and differentiation between them, this paper will discuss the effects of captivity. How being in captivity and on display in a zoo would influence their behaviors and emotions? The observation was a great success and I have successfully derived with a hypothesis base on our observing data. The ultimate goal of this paper is arousing humans’ awareness of the importance of studying primates.
Naturalistic observation is a research technique involving the observation of people or objects in their natural environments to gather data. When performing a naturalistic observation, it is key for the researcher to remain unavowed to the subject, or the result of the data could be skewed. When conducting a naturalistic observation to study the exercise times of young adult males versus older adult males, a good place to make observations would be at a gym, a popular hiking trail, or in a populated city (ex: downtown Washington, D.C.) where there are large sidewalks and plenty of room for foot traffic. Next, determine the variables. The measurable variables would be determined by witnessing a subject perform some sort of exercise, or any act that raises the heart rate above its natural rhythm on purpose at different times of day (ex: bike riding, running or jogging, roller blading, weight lifting, swimming, etc.). A record is kept regarding the execution of the variables, and after spending a viable amount of time collecting data from the subjects, the results of the study can be concluded. A possible result of the study could be that it is more common for older adult males to exercise early in the morning, while it is more common for younger adult males to exercise late in the evening.
Play is expressed as being one of the most sophisticated forms of primate-to-primate interaction (Demaru et al. 2015). During play, the main form of emotional communication is through facial expression (Demaru et al. 2015). In humans, facial expressions are a universal display of non-verbal communication, and they are immediately read and responded to by conspecifics that bear witness to them (Cattaneo & Pavesi 2014). Play faces (PF) – an open mouth, or an open mouth with teeth showing- are used to signal the want to play and are influenced by characteristics of the play interaction (Demaru et al. 2015). For instance, aggressive behavior during play can influence the PF (Demaru et al. 2015).
This paper is going to describe the behavioral and cognitive traits that can be inferred from that behavior of a two year old child that I observed in the park as she was playing with her mother. The child that I observed is a girl, has blonde hair and is physically well-developed for her age. She is around two, weighs approximately twenty (20) pounds and is about two (2) feet tall.
People change as they grow, in the way they look, the way they talk, and the way they act. This is no secret and has been going on since the beginning of time. Today, I was a substitute teacher for the art teacher at Wheatland R-II School, in Wheatland Missouri. The school is a little kindergarten through twelfth grade school, so the art teacher has various age groups throughout the day. I got to see first-hand today the differences in students’ behavior when they are in different age groups. The biggest classes were Art Appreciation, tenth grade students, Art One, eighth grade, and Elementary Art, third graders; I choose these three classes to study the behaviors of for a naturalistic observation.
Observational research is type of correlational (i.e., nonexperimental) research in which a researcher observes ongoing behavior. There are a variety of types of observational research, each of which has both strengths and weaknesses. These types are organized below by the extent to which an experimenter intrudes upon or controls the environment.