Can a photo-based method substitute for direct observation of human behaviour? — Partly yes
- 6 hours ago
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We are happy to announce that our short paper based on the “In My Life” photography project has been published in Evolutionary Anthropology (https://doi.org/10.1002/evan.70037).
Naturalistic observation of behaviour has long been a principal research method in evolutionary anthropology. However, it poses several methodological, theoretical, and ethical challenges in contemporary social settings. In particular, gaining access to people’s private lives can be difficult.
In our previous paper, we used autophotography—a visual method in which participants document aspects of their lives through photographs—to investigate adolescent sociality in England and Japan (see https://doi.org/10.1177/07435584251349497). In the present essay, we reflect on this method and explore the diversification of methodologies in evolutionary anthropology. Although autophotography also has its limitations, we argue that it can, at least in part, substitute for direct observation of human behaviour. As such, autophotography represents a valuable addition to the methodological toolkit of researchers.
Paper information
Emmott, E. H., & Morita, M. (2026). Diversifying methods in evolutionary anthropology: autophotography as a tool for quasi-naturalistic observation of human behavior. Evolutionary Anthropology, 35(3): e70037.
“In My Life” photography project
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