What term describes the observation and recording of behavior in natural situations without manipulation?

The term that best describes the observation and recording of behavior in natural situations without manipulation is "Naturalistic." In naturalistic observation, researchers study subjects in their spontaneous environment rather than in a controlled setting, allowing them to gather authentic data about behavior as it occurs naturally. This approach is crucial in fields such as psychology and anthropology, where context plays an essential role in understanding behavior.

While "observation" does refer to watching and noting behaviors, it is a broader term that does not specifically indicate that the observation occurs in a natural setting without any manipulation. "Experimentation" involves controlled environments where variables are manipulated to study their effects, which is not the case here. "Field study" does pertain to studying subjects in their natural environments but often implies some level of structured methodology or research design. In contrast, "naturalistic" emphasizes a more passive recording of behavior without disturbance or control over the environment.