Psychology as a science

Human development section 2

What does it mean to study development scientifically?

Using systematic research methods to understand how and why people develop.

Why is science important for studying development?

It provides evidence-based answers and helps estimate risks accurately.

what are the three main goals of research?

describe, predict, understand

What are the odds of autism diagnosis in children?

About 1 in 68.

Does the MMR vaccine increase autism risk?

No—the rate remains 1 in 68 regardless of vaccination.

What percentage of measles cases require hospitalization?

About 1 in 4.

What percentage of measles cases result in death?

About 1 in 1000.

What is the chance of getting measles if unvaccinated and exposed?

About 90%.

What is the chance of getting measles if vaccinated and exposed?

About 3%.

Who published the fraudulent vaccine-autism study?

Andrew Wakefield

What was wrong with Wakefield’s study?

It was retracted due to fraud, falsified data, small sample, and conflicts of interest. (no proven link)

What was the real impact of Wakefield’s claims?

Lower vaccination rates and increased measles outbreaks.

What is correlation?

A relationship between two measured variables.

What is causation?

When one variable directly causes a change in another.

Does correlation imply causation?

No—two variables can be related without causing each other.

example of correlation without causation

Ice cream sales and drownings both increase in summer

What is needed to prove causation?

An experiment

What defines an experiment?

One manipulated independent variable (IV) and one measured dependent variable (DV).

What is qualitative research?

Descriptive data (e.g., observations, case studies).

What is quantitative research?

Numerical data used for statistical analysis.

What is correlation used for in research?

Prediction

What are experiments used for in research?

Understanding cause and effect

What is applied research?

Research aimed at creating change or solving real-world problems

longitudinal study

Studying the same group of people over time

cross-sectional study

Studying different age groups at one point in time

advantage of longitudinal studies?

Shows continuity and change within individuals

disadvantage of longitudinal studies?

Time-consuming, expensive, and subject to practice effects.

advantage of cross-sectional studies?

Quick and inexpensive

disadvantage of cross-sectional studies?

Cannot track individual change over time

What is a cohort effect?

Differences due to historical or cultural experiences of a group, not age

How can science correct misinformation?

Through continued research and evidence.

What is basic science?

Research done to expand knowledge without immediate practical application.

What is an example of discoveries from basic science?

Penicillin, X-rays, plastic, Teflon.

What was the Perry Preschool study?

An experiment with at-risk children showing long-term benefits of early education.

What was a key finding of the Perry Preschool study?

High return on investment ($16–17 per $1 spent).

Was the Perry Preschool study experimental or correlational?

Experimental (random assignment).

Was the Perry Preschool study longitudinal or cross-sectional?

Longitudinal (followed over time).

Why are parenting decisions complex?

They involve many interacting developmental factors