Naturalism is wholly unconvincing. To define goodness as something we can empirically measure is a tempting notion, however in reality goodness is far wider than this and cannot be distilled to something like hedonic naturalists do with equating it to 'pleasure'. Whilst there are advantages, the challenges from More and Hume are too convincing, particularly those of More, in proving that goodness isn't something we can know from nature
alone. Naturalistic observation is a method of research that is often used by social scientists and psychologists. It uses a technique which involves the observation of subjects while they remain in their natural environment. This process makes it possible to conduct research in situations where being in a laboratory is either cost-prohibitive, unrealistic, or could influence the behaviors of the individuals involved in the study. People do not always behave the same way when they are in a lab setting compared to how they are in their natural setting. When specific behaviors require tracking, then the only way to observe them involves watching how decisions are made under specific situations and stimuli in real-life settings. This process makes it possible for social scientists to understand how people react. It differs from structured observation because it looks at a behavior as it happens in a natural setting without an attempting to intervene on the part of the researcher. There are several reasons why psychologists would use this method, just as there are a handful of situations where it would not be appropriate. That’s why a review of the naturalistic observation pros and cons is essential to the overall research process each time. List of the Pros of Naturalistic Observation1. It allows researchers to directly observe individuals in their natural setting. 2. It gives scientists a first-hand look at social behavior. 3. It allows researchers to study ideas that cannot be manipulated otherwise. 4. It helps to support the external validity of a research effort. 5. It allows for multiple methods of data collection. 6. It offers different windows for data collection without affecting results. The first option allows for samples to be collected at different times, either random or systematic (or both) to collect info that makes a conclusion possible. Researchers would use the second option to observe choices or behaviors when they appear in a variety of different settings. 7. It creates the potential for more genuine reactions. 8. It can be safer for the researchers when compared to other methods. List of the Cons of Naturalistic Observation1. It can be challenging to control for outside variables. 2. It does not always generate accurate data. Even when researchers make efforts to avoid this disadvantage, it can be challenging to eliminate the issue entirely. 3. It may cause conformity concerns with the collected data. 4. It creates information that can sometimes be subjective. 5. It takes more time to complete naturalistic observations. 6. It cannot account for potential distractions in the environment. 7. It offers information that
can have limited usefulness. 8. It cannot account for observer bias. The pros and cons of the naturalistic observation method prove that it can be effective to observe individuals in their natural environment instead of in laboratory situations. It can also produce a set of disadvantages which researchers cannot fully control. That’s why the data collected from this process, even when generalizations can transition to the general public, must be taken with a cautious approach. About the Author What are the advantages and disadvantages of using naturalistic explanations in ethics?Naturalistic observation is a valuable tool because of its flexibility, external validity, and suitability for topics that can't be studied in a lab setting. The downsides of naturalistic observation include its lack of scientific control, ethical considerations, and potential for bias from observers and subjects.
What are the advantages of naturalism?An advantage of naturalistic observation is that it allows the investigators to directly observe the subject in a natural setting. The method gives scientists a first-hand look at social behavior and can help them notice things that they might never have encountered in a lab setting.
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