What is a significant disadvantage of overt observation?

The significant disadvantage of overt observation is that it often leads to artificial behavior due to the participants' awareness of being observed. When individuals know they are being watched, they may alter their behavior, consciously or unconsciously, to conform to social norms or expectations. This phenomenon can skew the data collected, as their actions may not accurately represent their typical behavior in a natural setting.

In psychological research, understanding genuine behavior is crucial, and overt observation can hinder this by creating a situation where individuals are more self-conscious, potentially leading to results that do not reflect real-world actions or attitudes. This creates challenges for researchers who seek to gather valid and reliable data on behaviors that might differ significantly when the observation is not made known to participants.