Madon (2004)

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

If a parents expectation of their child’s drinking habits would be true

Question 2

Procedure

Answer 2

• Questioned children from 12-13 and their parents
• Asked parents to guess how much alcohol their child normally drank or would
• A year later the child was asked to say how much alcohol they drank

Question 3

Results

Answer 3

• Children who drank the most were the ones whose parents predicted a greater use of alcohol
• It took one parent to have a negative view about their child’s drinking habits to show a relationship with high levels

Question 4

Strengths (2)

Answer 4

1) A large sample = results are more valid or true

2) Gives a strong warning to parents about holding negative views on their children

Question 5

Weaknesses (4)

Answer 5

1) The parents may not have influenced their child’s behavior at all. It could be that it was an accurate prediction of their child’s drinking behavior rather than a self-fulfilling prophecy
2) Other explanations such as friends. It could be that friends had a greater influence over drinking behavior than a parent’s prediction
3) A correlation study. Less control and the Madon cannot be sure whether there is a true link between a parent’s prediction and a child’s alcohol use. Other factors could have influenced rather than parental beliefs.
4) A questionnaire may have social desirability bias. Children may say they drink more to look tough say they drink less if their parents find out. Similarly, parents may predict their children drink more because they think its an honour or predict they drink less because it is not acceptable.