Identify and explain one disadvantage of using overt observation to study anti-social behaviour amongst young people.
AQA
GCSE
2022
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Outline: Disadvantage of Overt Observation in Studying Anti-Social Behaviour
Introduction:
- Briefly define overt observation and its use in sociological research. - Introduce anti-social behaviour as a research topic and its complexities. - Thesis statement: While overt observation offers some advantages, a significant disadvantage lies in the potential for the Hawthorne effect to undermine the validity of the findings.
Main Body: The Hawthorne Effect and Its Implications
Paragraph 1: Explaining the Hawthorne Effect - Define the Hawthorne effect: people modify their behaviour when aware of being observed. - Link this to studying anti-social behaviour: young people knowing they are watched are less likely to engage in such behaviour. - Use examples: a group might stop swearing or vandalizing property if they notice the researcher.
Paragraph 2: Impact on Data Validity - Explain how the Hawthorne effect threatens the validity and reliability of research. - The observed behaviour becomes artificial, not reflecting genuine actions. - Discuss the difficulty in generalizing findings to real-world settings where observation is absent.
Paragraph 3: Ethical Considerations - "Guilty Knowledge" - Introduce the ethical dilemma of "guilty knowledge" in overt observation. - Explain the researcher's position: witnessing potentially illegal acts and the responsibility to report vs. confidentiality. - Highlight the potential conflict between research goals and ethical obligations.
Alternative Approaches and Conclusion
Paragraph 4: Considering Covert Observation (Briefly) - Briefly introduce covert observation as a potential alternative. - Mention its own ethical considerations and limitations (deception, consent). - Suggest that it might offer more authentic data on anti-social behaviour but requires careful ethical justification.
Conclusion: - Reiterate the significant disadvantage of the Hawthorne effect in overt observation of anti-social behaviour. - Emphasize the trade-off between ethical considerations and data authenticity in this research area. - Conclude that researchers must carefully weigh these factors and consider alternative methodologies or a mixed-methods approach to gain a more accurate understanding of anti-social behaviour.
Disadvantages of Overt Observation in Studying Anti-Social Behaviour
Overt observation, where the researcher's presence is known to participants, can be a valuable tool in sociological research. However, when studying a sensitive topic like anti-social behaviour amongst young people, it presents a significant disadvantage: the observer effect. This effect, closely related to the Hawthorne effect, describes the tendency for individuals to alter their behaviour when aware of being observed.
The Hawthorne effect, stemming from studies at the Hawthorne Works factory in the 1920s, revealed that workers' productivity increased not because of changes in working conditions, but because they were being studied. This highlights the inherent impact of observation on behaviour. Similarly, young people suspected of anti-social behaviour, if aware of being watched, are likely to modify their actions. They may consciously behave in a more socially acceptable manner to avoid judgment or potential consequences. Conversely, some individuals might exaggerate their anti-social behaviour, seeking attention or attempting to intimidate the observer.
This altered behaviour significantly impacts the study's validity. The data collected becomes unreliable as it represents a distorted picture of the group's actual behaviour. Instead of observing genuine interactions and responses, the researcher witnesses a performance influenced by their presence. This undermines the study's objective to understand the underlying causes and patterns of anti-social behaviour.
Furthermore, overt observation in this context raises ethical concerns. The researcher, witnessing potentially illegal acts, faces a moral dilemma known as ‘guilty knowledge’. Should they report the observed behaviour, potentially putting the young people at risk of legal consequences? Or should they maintain confidentiality, jeopardizing the safety of others? This ethical tightrope walk further complicates the use of overt observation when studying sensitive and potentially illegal activities.
In conclusion, while overt observation offers advantages in certain research settings, its application in studying anti-social behaviour amongst young people is significantly hampered by the observer effect. This effect, by influencing behaviour and creating ethical dilemmas, compromises the validity and reliability of the data collected. Therefore, alternative research methods that minimize participant reactivity, such as covert observation or ethnographic approaches, might be more suitable for investigating sensitive behaviours in a naturalistic and ethically sound manner.
Free Mark Scheme Extracts
Hawthorne effect
Observer effect
‘Guilty knowledge’
If the subjects know that they are being studied, they are likely to change their behaviour.
Those being observed may behave in a more socially acceptable manner, or behave worse to ‘show off’.
The observer will have ‘guilty knowledge’ of anti-social and likely illegal acts – there would be a moral question of whether this behaviour should be reported if it put people at risk.