Naturalistic Observation Narrative Essay

Naturalistic observation is considered as one of the basic methods in psychological research and study. This fundamental research methodology is known to divulge and aid the psychologist in his or her critical analysis of the human behavior and characteristics while in socially acceptable public domain in his or her course of interacting with other individuals in their aspect of addressing their sociological needs. In this aspect of human interaction, psychologist try to significantly analyze the human nature as shown by their actions both involving the verbal and non-verbal communication style and how individuals manifest their motives while adhering to the social values and cultures pertaining to public communication.

Naturalistic observation is commonly an actual observation of subjects mainly while they are in their course of social interaction specifically while they are in the public place. In the course of implementing this method, the researcher must also observe social values and cultural manners thus preventing any offensive act during the observation. In addition, the concept of personal privacy and inappropriate intrusion should also be constantly observed while the researcher is observing the subjects.

All of these limitations must be implemented while the researcher observed the subjects in an isolated nature keeping his or her presence unnoticed and ideally absent to the personal space of the subject during their interaction. The only aspect to be focused on in this project is the psychological behavior of the subject as manifested by their very intricate details such as gestures, voice, reaction, facial expression and impression and others.

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Project: Naturalistic Observation

In this aspect of applying the method of naturalistic observation during an actual psychological study, this author conducted a personal project using the said methodology. In this study, the researcher particularly this author will try to support the psychological hypothesis postulated by Aronson (et al, 2004) and Lesko (2000) regarding the psychological behavior and actions of individuals during an actual social interaction. This hypothesis will significantly govern the psychological observation project and will guide the researcher in establishing an interactional pattern as observed through the subjects. In this observation, the researcher presumptively hypothesized that the dominant speaker in the first part of the conversation will likely speak more frequently in the later part of the conversation.

The chosen subjects are a man and a woman both Caucasians who are dining in a restaurant and are observably conversing with each other regarding a specific matter which both of them can relate. It is very apparent from the observable verbal and non-verbal aspect of their communication that the topic they are conversing is very critical as they both stresses their own involvement and awareness to it.

Verbal recording is not very likely in this situation as an attempt to push this is prevented by the environment and the situation at hand however, few notes of recorded key words denotes that they are talking about a legal and ethical issue in their work environment. Words mentioned such as “management”, “chief-of-executives”, “a settlement bargain” and “what the labor union ought to do” will denote that they are both involve in the same job and in the same issue they are both probably working with.

This will suggests that the situation is likely an informal meeting between the two, possible from different party, to discuss some important details regarding their business issue or a settlement for the resolution of their topic. This is established to be informal by the researcher as suggested by their attire as they are into casual wear.

In non-verbal observation, the actions and gestures of the subjects will denote that they are with a professional background as their etiquettes and manners are significantly refined for the matter (Aronson et al, 2004; Lesko, 2000). In addition, their gesture mainly the speaker, at their specific chances, will suggests a clear and direct emphasis on his or her point thus suggesting that their topic is indeed of high importance (Lesko, 2000).

This concept is further followed with the high intention of the other to listen carefully and then reply with his or her personal opinion on the matter with a language that is concise and direct to the point. The observed intonations and voice volume is noticeably well modulated suggesting that both of the subjects as well versed in the field of the topic and that they are cautious of offending the other.

With critical and empirical observation of the subjects, this researcher has noted that the man seems to be speaking more frequently while the woman speaks primarily in response to the man’s idea. This factor suggests that the man has the part of proposal or he is the one with the main intention for the meeting, which is likely established by him.

The verbal aspect of the woman can thus be regarded to be as a commentary or a supplementary mean in this conversation making her the character that the proposal is focused with. In the aspect of considering the hypothesis that is previously stated, the man is postulated to speak more frequently in the following period. And in the observed subjects, the man is indeed noted to have spoken more frequently than the woman, which establishes the hypothesized interactional pattern in the social behavior of the observed individuals.

Conclusion

As observed in the conducted naturalistic observation, it has been determined by this author that social interaction of individuals are indeed influenced by their natural nature and motives manifesting through the creation of the dominant speaker and the other being the receiver.

The person who has the greater aim and intention in each social interaction who is more likely than one who established the said meeting has the greater possibility of becoming the main speaker in the conversation. On the other hand, the other party becomes the main receiver as his or her speech becomes supplementary or commentary with that of the other. Thus, in social interaction, it is very likely that one party manifest as the dominant side to guide and focus the conversation as he or she has the greater intention in the said interaction.

Bibliography

1. Aronson, E. & Wilson T. D. & Akert R. M. (2004). Social Psychology. Prentice Hall, NY, USA. 5th Edition.
2. Lesko, W. A. (2000). Readings in Social Psychology: General, Classic and Contemporary Selections. Allyn and Bacon, Boston, USA. 5th Edition.

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