Observation and
Description
(ODEX)
(WEEK 3)
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
❑ Recognize the importance of observation and
description to remember important information during
intelligence operation.
❑Describe the different functions of senses to improve the
retention of information.
❑Discover the importance of the subject with regards to
Values, Professionalism, Administration, Governance
and Leadership
DEFINITION OF TERMS
OBSERVATION (Taking notice)
Is a complete and accurate awareness by an individual of his
surroundings and encompasses the use of all of our major senses
to register and recognize its operational and/or intelligence
significance.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
DESCRIPTION
Is the actual and factual reporting of one‘s own observations or
the reported sensory experience recounted by another.
The only way you become aware of anything is through your
senses.
“The way we become aware of anything is through your senses”
Psychologist Estimates that approximately:
1. 85 % of the things we learn is gathered through Sight
2. 13 % is through hearing
3. 2% through taste, touch and smell (combined)
THREE (3) PSYCHOLOGICAL PROCESSES FOR
ACCURATE OBSERVATION:
ATTENTION
Consists of the psychological process involved in becoming
aware of a fact (aware of the existence of a fact).
THREE (3) PSYCHOLOGICAL PROCESSES FOR
ACCURATE OBSERVATION:
PERCEPTION
Consists of the psychological process involved in
understanding this fact of awareness through
understanding
(i.e., through the smell of a flower, you can guess
the name of the flower).
THREE (3) PSYCHOLOGICAL PROCESSES FOR
ACCURATE OBSERVATION:
REPORT
Used in two (2) senses:
1. The first in the psychological process involved in identifying by
name in one‘s own mind some facts which has been
perceived.
2. Report – Narrate what you perceived / identified.
THREE (3) TYPES OF ATTENTION
INVOLUNTARY (least reliable) – In it, you have no control and it
requires no effort.
Example – Looking at the window of the store, suddenly
hears a car collide with another car.
THREE (3) TYPES OF ATTENTION
VOLUNTARY– This type is more reliable but not nearly as
dependable as habitual.
NOTE: Explain, for example: Assume that someone is
required to listen to a lecture concerning a subject in
which he is not interested.
THREE (3) TYPES OF ATTENTION
HABITUAL ATTENTION – A type of attention that is
distinguished by little effort but with a maximum of control.
Most reliable.
NOTE: Explain, for example: A student who
is interested in a certain subject.
FACTORS THAT INFLUENCES ATTENTION
1. SIZE (Normal to abnormal size) (extra ordinary from the rest)
appears to be distinct.– too big or too small
2. CHANGE (any change : small to big; dark to bright; silence to
noisy etc.)
3. REPETITION (single stimulus might not be retained in the
brain-but when repeated, it will) (Shots is fired in every one minute)
4. STRIKING QUALITY (To attract attention) – Wearing of clothes.
FACTORS THAT INFLUENCES ATTENTION
5. INTEREST (Interest in some objects) – Sexy women.
6. ORGANIC CONDITION (Organic condition of the observer)
(status of senses used) – Observers should have his physical
faculties in excellent condition.
7. SUGGESTION (initial info might be perceived as the correct
observation)
FACTORS INVOLVED IN PERCEPTION
MENTAL CAPACITY
One must have enough intelligence to understand the meanings
of a fact before he can perceive it.
Example: A child being brought to a movie couldn’t
fully understand the stories due to his/her mental
ability to understand.
FACTORS INVOLVED IN PERCEPTION
2. EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
3. EMPIRICAL BACKGROUND – One has acquired by
experience throughout his life.
4. OCCUPATIONAL BACKGROUND
FACTORS GOVERNING REPORTS
1. VOCABULARY – Words which an individual finds to
express himself.
2. TIME LAG – Accurate reporting depends entirely on
timeliness. Delay in reporting results in unconscious
omission of detail.
3. RECURRENCE OF SIMILAR INCIDENT –Investigator
investigates similar incidents.
MEMORY
Has bearing in evaluation of Information.
Refers to a complex group of mental functions and states of
awareness that are concerned with the storing of experience and
its reappearance in consciousness or its utilization in subsequent
activity.
FUNCTIONS OF MEMORY
(1) Storing Information – Systematic filing
(2) Recollection – Returning to conscious memory that which has
been stored.
TWO TYPES OF MEMORY
► SENSORY MEMORY – is that learning by repetition
► INTELECTUAL MEMORY – learning by understanding
MEMORY IS DIVIDED INTO FOUR PHASES
(1) IMPRESSION – it is where we apply the rules for once the
material is properly and effectively impressed all the other
processes follows
(2) RETENTION – cannot be described by psychological term
(3) RECALL – Process of reproducing a past experience.
(4) RECOGNITION – Process of identifying a perception as
having been experienced at some time in the past.
HOW DO WE REMEMBER?
MEANS OF RECEPTION:
(1) Eye-Minded
(2) Ear-Minded
(3) Motor-Minded
• Motor – Involves touch, smell and taste
SUGGESTIONS TO IMPROVE MEMORY:
❑ INTENTION- You must intend (or want) to remember.
❑ CONFIDENT- Develop the confidence to remember - do not
let your memory remain dormant.
❑ OBSERVATION AND CONCENTRATION- Carefully observe
and concentrate all your attention on the subject to be
remembered.
SUGGESTIONS TO IMPROVE MEMORY:
❑ UNDERSTANDING- Try to understand clearly the meaning of
which is to be remembered.
❑ VISUALIZE- You must be able to visualize, when possible, the
fact to be remembered.
❑ REPETITION- Remember by repetition – A good policy to over
learn allowing the memory trace or impressions the chance to
"set.”
❑LAW OF ASSOCIATION- Remember everything new by
connecting it with something that you already know.
End of Presentation
