Exam 1 Flashcards
(38 cards)
Scientific method
evidence-based
rule-out alternatives
Steps
- choose specific question
- formulate hyp. (falsifiable)
- develop method for testing hyp (observation/expectation)
- use data -> draw conclusion about hyp
Measurement
A study is only as good as it’s measure
Operational definitions
- defining a behavior in terms of how it is measured
- making it quantitative
Characteristics of a good measure
Reliable
- inter-rater reliability (2+ agree)
- test-retest reliability (same child, different occasions)
Valid
- extent to which test/instruments assesses what the researcher intended
- –> a measure should measure what it claims to measure
Characteristics of a good study
Internal validity
-extent to which results are due to what the researcher manipulates and not other possible causes
External validity
-extent to which findings are GENERALIZABLE to other children, measures, contexts
Basic types of research
Methods for gathering data
- Interview
- structured- fixed questions
- clinical- free to ask anything, follow-ups, explore - Naturalistic observation
- observe in natural environment - Structured observation
- in environment designed by experimenter to elicit behavior of interest - Questionnaires
- usually for older children/adolescents - Descriptive
- describe phen. w/o relating one thing to another - Correlational
- relate one variable to another - Experimental
- randomly assign subjects to groups, manipulate an IV and measure effect of DV to isolate cause
Developmental designs
- Cross-sectional
- observe across a section (e.g., age) - Longitudinal
- over a LOOOOONNG period of time - Microgenetic
- to provide in depth depiction of process of change
- select children on verge of change
- >provide experience to elicit change
- ->study change as it occurs
Prematurity/LBW
Premature births
>3 weeks early (before 35 weeks)
full terms is ~38 weeks
Avg. 7-8 lbs
- LBW <5.5 lbs
- 8% of US births
Small for gestational age
-either pre- or full-term but weight less than expected for gestational age
Causes for premature
Teratogens (inhibition of brain tissue formation)
- Environmental agents (alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, etc,)
- Malnutrition
Consequences for caregiving premature
More difficult to parent
Difficulty adjusting to environment and new stim
Prob lead to receiving less warmth from parents
Consequences for children premature
physical, cognitive, social problems
Consequences for LBW
For child
-higher % of special ed, repeating grade, school failure
For society
-costs a lot of $, much more than other issues
Interventions (for premature & LBW)- sensitive parenting
The infant health and development project
At-risk, preterm babies
- test-group
- ->medical followups + PARENT TRAINING SESSION (be more sensitive to needs of baby)
- control- medical follow-ups only
Results
- test-group
- ->4x more likely to be in normal range of development (academic and social)
- -> not sustained w/o CONTINUED intervention
- ->less beneficial to multirisk families (e.g., struggling with finances)
Interventions (for premature & LBW)- tactile stimulation
Baby massage study (premature)
Massaged- weight gain faster (catching up with weight of normal children)
Vernix
Wax covering a baby’s face
Protects during birth form friction
Lanugo
Fine hairs covering skin
For warmth, babies aren’t good at regulating body temp right after birth
Fall off about 1-2 months
Newborn acne
Not good at regulating hormones
Blockage at secreting oils
Temporary
Cone-shaped head
Multiple piece of bone not yet fused to skull
Not aligned
1-2 days, bones fuse
Reflex
Unlearned, involuntary responses
Common to all members of species
e.g., sucking thumb
Significance of reflex
Failure to demo reflexes or failure to lose reflexes at normal time is a sign of neurological impairment
Sucking reflex
response- sucks fingers
function- feeding
Rooting reflex
response- turns head to stim
function- feeding
Grasping reflex
response- spontaneous grasp of finger
function- prep for voluntary grasp
Moro reflex
response- “embracing” motion (monkey hug)
function- cling to mom?
Babinski reflex
response- toes fan out and curl when bottom of foot stroked
function- unknown
