What are two problems that can occur with observation?

What are two problems that can occur with observation?

• A. Participants may not consent to be observed.
• B. Observers can influence participants.
• C. Participants may react in unnatural ways, and observers record what they expect rather than what really happens.
• D. Observations yield numerical data.

Answer: (C)

The main concept here is understanding how observation can distort what actually happens. Two big problems are at play: people change their behavior when they know they’re being watched (reactivity), and the person recording what’s seen may let their expectations shape what they note (observer bias). When someone is aware a study is happening, they might act differently, perhaps more cooperatively or more self-conscious, which means the data don’t reflect typical behavior. At the same time, the observer might expect certain outcomes and unintentionally record events that fit those expectations, overlooking other relevant details. The option describes both of these issues clearly: participants reacting unnaturally and observers recording what they expect rather than what really occurs. The other choices don’t capture these two intertwined problems. Ethical consent is important, but it’s about rights and permissions rather than a distortion of observed behavior. Observations yielding numerical data isn’t a problem in itself. The notion that observers influence participants is related to observer effects but doesn’t explicitly name the bias in recording data or the full scope of reactivity.

The main concept here is understanding how observation can distort what actually happens. Two big problems are at play: people change their behavior when they know they’re being watched (reactivity), and the person recording what’s seen may let their expectations shape what they note (observer bias). When someone is aware a study is happening, they might act differently, perhaps more cooperatively or more self-conscious, which means the data don’t reflect typical behavior. At the same time, the observer might expect certain outcomes and unintentionally record events that fit those expectations, overlooking other relevant details. The option describes both of these issues clearly: participants reacting unnaturally and observers recording what they expect rather than what really occurs.

The other choices don’t capture these two intertwined problems. Ethical consent is important, but it’s about rights and permissions rather than a distortion of observed behavior. Observations yielding numerical data isn’t a problem in itself. The notion that observers influence participants is related to observer effects but doesn’t explicitly name the bias in recording data or the full scope of reactivity.