Assignment: Observation

This assignment requires you to complete two covert naturalistic observations. Go out to a public place (e.g., a mall, grocery store, Target or Walmart-type store, a park, or even on campus) and find two different parent-child interactions. Find an example of a parent you believe is interacting appropriately with his/her child (Parent A) and find a parent you believe is interacting inappropriately with his/her child (Parent B). Do not talk to or interact with the parents or children before, during or after your observation. Points will be deducted from your assignment if you talk or interact with the parents or children before, during or after your observation. Observe them for a few minutes and then answer all of the following questions. In order to find these two types of parent-child interactions you may need to observe several parentchild dyads and may want/need to go to more than one location.

1. Parent A:

a. Where did the interaction take place?
b. How old did the child appear to be?
c. Was it a mom or dad with the child?
d. What did you observe?
e. What specifically did Parent A do that gave you the impression that the parent was interacting appropriately with their child?

2. Parent B:

a. Where did the interaction take place?
b. How old did the child appear to be?
c. Was it a mom or dad with the child?
d. What did you observe?
e. What specifically did Parent B do that gave you the impression that the parent was interacting inappropriately with their child?

3 How specifically was your view of what was appropriate and inappropriate influenced by your textbook readings? Refer back to your textbook, correctly using APA in-text citations.

4. Several situations that you experienced with your virtual child so far involved interactions between you and your virtual child in public or where your behavior could have been observed by others. Think about at least one of these interactions (for example: situations involving your child exploring their environment, interacting with other children or adults/you).

a. Please explain what situation(s) you are thinking of. If someone had been observing your interaction(s) with your child, how do you think they would react to your behavior/reaction?

b. Do you think it would be viewed as appropriate or inappropriate given the situation and your child's age? Explain why.