A PEEK BEHIND THE FENCE - NATURALISTIC OBSERVATIONS OF AGGRESSIVE-CHILDREN WITH REMOTE AUDIOVISUAL RECORDING

This article describes a methodology that is uniquely suited to study peer interactions, particularly those of aggressive children. To date, researchers have used laboratory and naturalistic observations to inv estigate children's aggressive interactions. To overcome difficulties such as the constraints of laboratory situations and reactivity to pro ximal observations, video cameras and wireless microphones were used i n a study of the peer relations of aggressive and nonaggressive childr en. Details about the equipment and procedures are provided, along wit h logistical and ethical considerations. Remote audiovisual observatio ns provide a unique opportunity to observe children's interactions tha t generally occur beyond adults' view. The primary strength of this ob servational methodology is its external validity. Children being obser ved are completely mobile on the school playground and are able to cho ose the activities and partners for their play. The effectiveness of t his methodology is illustrated with results from our studies of childr en on school playgrounds.