mass observation
(ˌmæs ɒbzəˈveɪʃən)
[f. mass n.2 + observation.]
The study and record of the social habits of people (taken in the mass); also (with capital initials) the name of an organization established for this purpose. Also attrib. So mass-observationist, -observer; mass-observe v. trans.
| 1933 L. Bloomfield Lang. ii. 38 The observer..by this mass-observation, gives us a statement of the speech-habits of a community. 1937 Madge & Harrisson Mass-Observation 8 If after reading the pamphlet you should wish to co-operate by becoming a Mass-Observer, send a card. Ibid. i. 10 A group of people started Mass-Observation, which aims to be a scientific study of human social behaviour, beginning at home. 1937 Jennings & Madge (title) May the twelfth: Mass-Observation day-surveys 1937. 1938 Times 10 Mar. 15/4 Nor are they mass-observationists..testing the movements of public opinion with cold curiosity. 1939 ‘N. Blake’ Smiler with Knife xvi. 233 ‘I thought..you wur one of them Mass Observers...’ ‘No. I'm just one of the mass-observed.’ 1948 J. Betjeman Coll. Poems (1958) 229 The Mass-Observer with the Hillman Minx. 1951 ‘A. Garve’ Murder in Moscow ii. 34 He's supposed to have an assignment..but he spends all his time doing his own private mass observation. 1967 G. Wills in Wills & Yearsley Handbk. Managem. Technol. 184 The two other major quantification techniques are the consumer survey..and the mass-observation study. 1970 Guardian 10 Dec. 8/4 The Mass Observers..mass observed blind drinkers. 1974 Daily Tel. (Colour Suppl.) 19 Apr. 23/3 The Mass-Observation method..is the absolute opposite of interviewing. |