Video Tape Recording in Social Psychological Research: An Illustrative Study in Pedodontia

The present paper examines the capability of the video tape recorder as a behavior-sampling instrument within the context of an investigation ostensibly designed to determine possibly positive or aversive effects of the absence or presence of mothers on children's behavior in a dental treatment situation. The behavior of 22 children was video tape-recorded as a dentist cleaned their teeth. The mothers of all children were present for one half and absent for the other half of these teeth-cleaning sessions. There were no significant behavioral differences as determined from judges' ratings of video tapes of the children's behavior while mothers were absent and present. A description of the means by which the video tape recorder may be used as an instrument for such behavior sampling is presented. The advantages of this recorder over more conventional means of behavioral recording or observation are also discussed.