Why are some children more
popular than others?
n
How would you
study this question?
Naturalistic Observation
n
Advantages:
n
Natural
n
Provides
clues for future research
n
Disadvantages:
n
May never
observe important behaviors
n
Does not
explain underlying causes
n
May be
influenced by observer�s biases
n
Being
observed may effect children�s behavior
Structured Observations
n
Advantages:
n
Better control over situation
n
More limited set of behaviors
to observe
n
Disadvantages:
n
similar to naturalistic
observations
Interviews
n
Advantages:
n
Allows insights about what
subjects are thinking about
n
Quick method to gather a lot
of information
n
Disadvantages:
n
Participants may not report
accurate information
Correlational Studies
n
Statistical measure of how
much two or more variables co-vary
How do we interpret correlations
n
In reality the correlation
between SAT�s and Freshman Grades is about: r= +.3
n
If you square the correlation
it explains how much of the total variance of one variable is explained or
accounted for by the other variable.
n
Thus, 32 = 9%
n
Hence, 9% of the variability
of grades among freshman can be accounted for by knowledge of SAT�s
How correlations are used
in Developmental Psychology
n
Correlations
can be used to understand the stability of behaviors over time. For
example:
Correlational Studies
n
Advantages:
n
Allows discovery of what
variables are related to each other
n
Are particularly useful for
understanding relative stability of behaviors over time
n
Disadvantages:
n
Correlation does not imply
causation
Correlation does not mean
causation
Formal Experiments
n
Advantages
n
Scientific control and rigor
n
Allows for the inference of
causality
n
Disadvantages
n
Setting may be unnatural and
artificial
n
May not adequately duplicate
the complexity of the world
Common Designs used in
Developmental Research
n
Longitudinal
Designs: study a group of individuals over time
Longitudinal Designs
n
Advantages
n
Allows for the study of change
over time
n
Gives insights about
individual differences
n
Disadvantages
n
Are costly and time consuming
n
May have biases due to
drop-out rates
n
May have biases due to
repetitive testing
Cross-Sectional Designs
n
Cross-Sectional: Study groups of different aged participants at a single
time
Cross-Sectional Studies
n
Advantages:
n
Efficient way to compare
behaviors at different ages
n
Primary tool for Developmental
Psychologist
n
Disadvatages
n
Does not allow for study of
stability or individual differences
n
Can be contaminated by cohort
effects (the effects of due to the participants having been born during
different cultural times (being born before or after Sesame Street began)
Concerns unique to
Developmental Studies
n
Language limitations
n
Lack of familiarity with tasks
n
Response biases
n
Limited attention spans
n
Behavioral issues such as lack
of cooperation
n
Ethical Issues and limitations