OBSERVATION AND SUGGESTION

Introduction

Observation is an act which helps us to have knowledge of the environment. It is a careful

examination of phenomena. Knowledge in fact depends on observation. Although the ability to
observe is widespread, scientific observation differs from ordinary observation. Scientific
observation is systematic and goal-directed, whereas ordinary observation may be casual and the
person may not pay attention to details. Suggestion is one of the most important basic concepts
in the field of social relations. Postman believes that our system of social rewards and
punishments provides us with strong motivation to comply with current norms, to accept the
standards of the majority and of those in authority even if we had no part in evolving the
standards. Often such conformity becomes almost automatic, eliminating or severely reducing
critical evaluation. When stimulus conditions are created which lead to uncritical conformity, we
speak of suggestion. "Suggestibility" is the readiness with which an individual accepts an idea.
English and English (1958) define suggestion as "The process by which one person, without
argument, command or coercion directly induces another to act in a given way or to accept a
given belief, opinion or plan of action". According to Boring "we may define suggestion as the
acceptance by an individual of a frame of reference without the intervention of critical thought
processes". Studies indicate that in experiments like the following one, observation is influenced
by suggestion. The accuracy of report is greater for non-suggestive questions and least for the
suggestive. Suggestive questions reduce the accuracy of reports as they mislead the subject to
accept what is not therein the picture. The other factors which influence suggestibility are age,
intelligence, past experience, mental set, etc.

Review of Literature

Problem: To study the effect of suggestion on the accuracy of report.

Hypothesis: "Suggestion reduces accuracy of report".

Plan: Expose a picture for sixty seconds. Compare the number of correct answers for the two
types of questions- suggestive and non-suggestive.

Variables:

a) Independent variable: The nature of questions- suggestive and non-suggestive.

b) Dependent variable: The accuracy of report for suggestive and non-suggestive questions.
Experimental Controls:

a) Non-suggestive questions should be direct and refer to items present in the picture.

b) Suggestive questions should be misleading so as to make the subjects accept what is not there
in the picture.

c) Answers to questions must be in one or two words.

d) The subject should not know the aim of the experiment.

Materials:

a) A picture with many details mounted on a cardboard and covered with a flap.

b) A list of twenty questions-10 suggestive and 10 non-suggestive

c) Key to correct answers.

d) Stop clock

Procedure:

The subject is seated comfortably before a table on which the picture, covered with a flap is
placed. The subject is instructed to be ready to observe the picture when it is exposed. With the
signal 'start', expose the picture and start the stop clock simultaneously. After the lapse of 60
seconds (one minute), give the signal 'stop' and withdraw the picture. Then present the list of 20
questions and obtain responses to each. Find out the number of correct answers with the help of
the key. Instructions to the subject: "With the signal "start" I will present a picture for a brief,
period. Observe the picture carefully as you will have to answer some questions with regard to
the picture after I say 'stop'".

Analysis of Data:

a) Find out the number of correct answers for suggestive and non-suggestive questions.

b) Calculate the Mean for the group data

Points for Discussion:

a) Discuss whether the Subject is influenced by suggestion.

b) Discuss the mean performance and individual differences if any.

Discussion:

The aim of the experiment was to study the effect of suggestion on accuracy of report.

Individual Discussion

TABLE I SHOWING THE NUMBER OF CORRECT ANSWERS GIVEN BY THE SUBJECT

FOR SUGGESTIVE AND NON-SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS

Number of Correct Answers

Name Suggestive(I) Non-Suggestive(II) Difference(I-II)

FL 8 5 3

Social Demographic Details

The experiment was conducted on an 18 year-old female student studying at St. Joseph’s College
(Autonomous).

Looking at Table I, it can be seen that the Subject FL has a score of 8 for Suggestive series and a
score of 5 for Non-Suggestive series with a difference of 3. Therefore, the Subject FL disproves
the hypothesis, "Suggestion reduces accuracy of report".

Group Discussion

TABLE II SHOWING THE NUMBER OF CORRECT ANSWERS GIVEN BY THE GROUP

FOR SUGGESTIVE AND NON-SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS

Number of Correct Answers

Name Suggestive(I) Non-Suggestive(II) Difference(I-II)
P 4 8 -4
AMH 7 7 0
DS 5 7 -2
L 7 5 2
SN 8 8 0
SSH 9 6 3
DSG 6 7 -1
MS 4 8 -4
KR 6 8 -2
MJ 3 7 -4
TOTAL 59 71
MEAN 5.9 7.1

Social Demographic Details

The experiment was conducted on 10 students aged 18-20 from St. Joseph’s College
(Autonomous).

Looking at Table II, it can be seen that the total mean scores for the Group for the Suggestive
series is 5.9 and the mean scores for the Non-Suggestive series is 7.1. Thus, the Group disproves
the hypothesis, "Suggestion reduces accuracy of report". Individual differences are present.

Conclusion:

 The Subject disproves the hypothesis i.e. "Suggestion reduces accuracy of report".
 The Group proves the hypothesis i.e. "Suggestion reduces accuracy of report".