most used non-intrusive method used by scientists was observation
Over the years the study of psychology has evolved and so has the methods used to give evidence to the different approaches. The evolution involves moving from intrusive methods to non-intrusive study methods. In the case of studying human attachments, on-intrusive study methods have become a go to since most of the study deals with infants’ .The methods make it easier to study behavior and attachment patterns. In this paper, we look at the different kinds of non-intrusive approaches used, the advantages of using the approach, the limitations and the impact of using non-intrusive methods.
The most used non-intrusive method used by scientists was observation. To begin with Bowlby’s study on attachment was mostly influenced by Konrad Lorenz and Niko Tinbergen who mostly observed animals in their natural habitats without the use of laboratory experiments. Tinbergen and Konrad are credited for the ethological research which Bowlby studied together with that of Charles Darwin on evolution to come up with his theory. Tinbergen observed how chicks would peck their mothers beaks while Konrad studied the behaviors of geese following the mother .Konrad recreated the natural environment by raising geese. When the geese hatched, the first thing they say were Konrads boots which they kept following, a process of bonding called imprinting. In Bolwby’s theory, he argues that tendencies are the product of evolutionary pressure for survival. The theory was later disputed by Ainsworth who studied Ugandan women and their children through observation in their natural habitats. The use of observation has grown over time and has seen tremendous theories brought to light. The changing of natural habitats for both animals and human beings for research has seen a lot of criticism and the evolution to observation has so far been advantageous.
Non-intrusive methods such as observation are advantageous in that the rightsharksavewriters.com/different-waste-disposal-methods-and-which-is-best-for-yous of the animals and the infants are not infringed on. According to the United Nations declaration of the rights of the child (1959), ‘a child of tender years shall not, save in exceptional circumstances, be separated from his mother’. Using children to test the attachment theory would mean separating them from their mothers which is sadist. The law ensured that scientists would not test their theories and do research by using separation of children from caregivers. This however, did not stop them from using animals. A case in point is that of Harry Harlow an American psychologist who used the next closest thing to human beings, monkeys. In his study, all the wrong things in using intrusive methods were seen. First, the removal of the monkeys from their natural environments and separation from their mothers since most carried diseases. The separation of children from caregivers is not ethically right and in modern day research would not be considered.
Secondly, non-intrusive methods are cheaper as compared to lab experiments. In the case of Harry, he provided for the monkey’s meals, shelter and every day needs like clean environment which cost a lot of money. Mary Ainsworth research was done when she moved to Uganda with her husband. “During that time, she was able to raise a small amount of money which allowed her to collect observational data from …” (hhh).Through this Mary develops the Strange situation observation method. Thirdly, study of specimen in different habitats could change the variables. In the case of Harry, removing the monkeys from their natural habitats meant they adapt to living in another .In the research, Harry does not consider how familiarity of the monkeys environment gave them a sense of security. The reactions of the monkeys to the different stimuli could be a defense mechanism since the environmental security is taken away.
Just like any other research method, the use of non-intrusive methods has had its disadvantages. With non-intrusive methods the observative trait of the researcher is required. The researcher could miss important changes or dismiss certain aspects of the research. Bowlys research based on observation says that people develop tendencies as a means of survival. He argues that children that are babied a lot and attended to at all times tend to be clingy to the caregivers. Bowlys fails to acknowledge the aspect of creating a safe space that the child identifies with. The observation is opposed by Mary in her Ugandan observation in that children brought up in steady homes and attentive caregivers tend to explore more .The behavior is seen because the child develops a sense of security that they always have a safe space to come back to. Both researchers used observation which brought about different theories depending on the observation skills each had.
Non-intrusive methods have contributed a lot to the study of attachment. Through the use of observation Mary Ainsworth comes up with the strange situation observation procedure which is a great contribution to the study. “Ainsworth found that the more responsive the Ugandan mothers were to their babies’ signals, the less the babies cried and the more confident and explorative they seemed to be.”().There is also the study done by Rudolph Schaffer and Peggy Emerson in 1964 which is referred to as sensitive responsiveness. Their research concluded that “The most important factor in determining their primary attachment figure was not who looked after their basic biological needs, but who responded most sensitively to their signals. “Even though the research by Harry Harlow felt impactful to the field, the use of non-intrusive methods also impacted on the research on attachment without breaking the ethical regulations that Harry broke. The research harry did was only possible because the current ethical regulations had not been put in place.
The use on non-intrusive methods is the new normal. The different methods used by the different scientists have evolved with time and their contributions have been impactful. With the current regulations, non-intrusive methods are being focused on. They are more friendly to the environment and to the person doing the research. Mary Ainsworth is a good example of non-intrusion by observation giving good results and solutions to research. Her work is a reference point for most scientists doing modern research.