Roles of naturalistic observation in comparative psychology.

Abstract

DAVID B. MILLER North Carolina Department of HealthRaleigh, North CarolinaABSTRACT: Comparative psychology is replete withlaboratory investigations of animal behavior to theconspicuous exclusion of naturalistic observations. Fiveroles, with corresponding examples, are considered bywhich systematic, quantified field research can augmentcontrolled experimentation in terms of in-creasing the validity of the design, execution, andinterpretation of studies. The roles include(a) studying nature for its own sake, (6) using natureas an initial starting point from which to develop asubsequent program of research, (c) usingnature to validate or add substance to previously ob-tained findings, (d) obtaining from natureinformation pertaining to species variables that willsubsequently increase the efficient utilization of animalsin the laboratory, and (e) using the field as a natural-istic laboratory to test some hypothesis or theoreticalconcept.