Forensic Science: Fundamentals and Investigations Chapter 1

Activity Handout

Name ______

ACTIVITY 1-3

WHAT INFLUENCES OUR OBSERVATIONS?

Part 1

Directions: Watch the commercial and answer the questions on the sheet provided.

Questions:

  1. How many people are in the video?
  1. Describe the main character(s) in the commercial in terms of:
  2. Size
  3. Age
  1. Skin color
  1. Height
  1. Weight
  1. Hair: style, color, length
  1. Clothing
  1. Hat
  1. Glasses
  1. Distinguishing features
  1. Jewelry
  1. Beard or no beard
  1. Any physical limitations
  1. Describe the other people in the commercial.
  1. Describe the setting(s) of the commercial (where it was located).
  1. What furniture, if any, was in the commercial?
  1. Was the time noted?
  1. Was it possible to determine the season?
  1. What were the people doing in the commercial?
  1. Were there any cars in the commercial? If so, describe the:
  2. Model
  1. Year
  1. Color
  1. License plate number
  1. How long was the video?

Part 2

Student-Designed Commercial Activity

Directions: Design an activity involving commercials that would demonstrate how different factors influence our ability to observe. You are to create some way to test how people observe. Activity examples include surveys in malls, computer surveys, and street surveys (downtown area).You are not writing a commercial – you are explaining how you would test different commercials for audience interest. If you have another idea feel free to explain it to your teacher before starting. Each group should staple their papers together for turn in. Your activity should address all of the following information:

  1. Research question – what factor about the item you are selling do you want to test? Examples of these could be

-Will the number of people in the room affect someone’s observational skills?

-Are women less observant of the surrounding environment if the commercial features a handsome man?

-Does the color of someone’s clothing make the person more noticeable?

-Will famous people (e.g., actors, actresses, singers, athletes) in a commercial encourage someone to watch the commercial and therefore be more observant of the product information?

-Does a person’s style of clothing make him or her more noticeable or less? (For example, are there differences with responses to a man in a suit as opposed to a man in jeans?)

  1. Hypothesis – “We think that...”
  1. Experimental design – how are you going to test your hypothesis?
  2. Control – what will be the same throughout the activity?
  3. Variable – what is it you are testing?
  1. Observations – how will you collect evidence about your hypothesis?
  2. What you will measure – should include specific survey questions
  3. Data tables – how would you present your data?
  1. Conclusion based on your data – what do you expect to see?

ACTIVITY 1-3 WHAT INFLUENCES OUR OBSERVATIONS?

Group Names ______

Research Question
Hypothesis
Experimental Design
Observations
Conclusions