exam 1

Question 1

Difference between quantitative and qualitative research?

Answer 1

quan: numbers (things to count)
qual: questions, feelings, open ended

Question 2

Methods of data collection? Advantages and disadvantages of each?

Answer 2

1. clinical/case study: intensive study of one individual
   A: complete picture of one individual
   D: difficult to generalize findings
2. ethnography: case study of a group of individuals - researcher immerses themselves in community
   A: first hand, rich info
   D: researcher could be biases, hard to generalize
3. self report: ask participants to tell you about their thoughts
4. naturalistic observation: researcher watches children in real life settings
   A: where behavior naturally occurs
   D: doesn’t work well with rarely occurring behaviors
5. structured observation: observe in lab with standardized conditions
   A: better for rare behaviors
   D: can’t assume lab behavior generalizes to natural settings

Question 3

Different types of self reports? Advantages and disadvantages?

Answer 3

1. interviews: in person, ask questions
   A: Flexible, can get a lot of info
   D: Can be biased - social desirability
2. questionnaires: paper/pencil surveys
   A: can analyze data quickly, cheaper, can reduce bias
   D: can be less info

Question 4

Elements of an experimental method? Advantages and disadvantages?

Answer 4

1. random sample of overall pop
2. random assignment to groups
3. introduce DV
4. study effects of IV
   A: can reveal “cause and effect”, can be replicated
   D: limits generalizability (lab), doesn’t always fit question

Question 5

What is the correlational method? Advantages and disadvantages?

Answer 5

• Indicates degree of relationship b/w 2 variables
• positive vs negative
  A: easy to design/analyze, can measure associations that can’t be manipulated by an experiment
  D: cannot determine causation bc might be a third variable, can’t determine direction of effect (what causes what)

Question 6

What is a longitudinal design? Advantages and disadvantages?

Answer 6

same group of kids studied repeatedly over time
A: can identify common patterns + differences on developmental changes
D: expensive, time consuming, attrition (ppl drop out - lead to biased results)

Question 7

What is a cross sectional design? Advantages and disadvantages?

Answer 7

study different age groups of children at one point in time
A: fast, easy, inexpensive
D: comparing different children (harder to see patterns)

Question 8

Why is sample selection important consideration in designing and conducting research?

Answer 8

needs to be random to reduce bias

Question 9

Genotype

Answer 9

combo of genes + alleles

Question 10

Phenotype

Answer 10

observable characteristics, actual appearance/behaviors

Question 11

Chromosomes

Answer 11

molecules made up of DNA that store + transmit genetic information (26, 1 sex pair)

Question 12

Genes

Answer 12

segments of DNA located along chromosomes

Question 13

DNA

Answer 13

long, double stranded molecule

Question 14

How and when is a zygote’s sex determined?

Answer 14

At the moment of fertilization, if the egg receives an X or Y from the sperm

Question 15

How do dominant and recessive traits influence phenotypic expression?

Answer 15

Dom: masks effect of recessive
Rec: only expressed if individual has two of them

Question 16

What are dominant-recessive disorders and how do they occur genetically?

Answer 16

• genetic conditions passed down through families
• dom: only need one mutated gene
• rec: you need two (can be a carrier)
• ex: PKU, infants lack enzyme that covers amino acid essential for bodily function (treatable)

Question 17

What is Down syndrome? How does it occur genetically?

Answer 17

genetic disorder caused when abnormal cell division results in an extra full or partial copy of chromosome 21

Question 18

What pre-pregnancy procedures or technologies can assist parents in having healthy children?

Answer 18

• amniocentesis: sample amniotic fluid
• CVS: genetic testing
• fetoscopy
• ultrasound

Question 19

Define nature and nurture

Answer 19

nature: inborn, biologic givens, genetic inheritance
nurture: physical + social world

Question 20

What are the philosophical views of Rousseau, Gesell, John Locke, & John Watson?

Answer 20

Rousseau: naturally develop right and wrong, society corrupts you
Gesell: maturation drives development
Locke: blank slate who’s experiences determine who we end up as
Watson: fears are learned