1 23 12 Lifespan Development Research Methods in Gerontology Lifespan perspective o Paul Baltes Places adulthood in a developmental context Later in life abilities continue to develop o Key features of the life span perspective Multidirectionality Plasticity Historical context Multiple causation Characterized by both growth and loss Degree development can change or be modified Historical events trends influence development Technology geography etc Research o Sampling Biology cognition emotion and social relationships and interactions Occurs in a similar way to most people in a particular age group ex o Developmental Influences Normative age graded influences menopause Normative history graded influences generation ex the internet Non normative influences Occurs in a similar way to most people in a particular cohort or Unusual events unique to an individual ex winning the lottery randomness Sample smaller group within the population o Random selection Ensure representativeness every person has equal chance of being selected o Stratified random sample Sampling within subgroups o Research designs Experimental designs Random assignment Experimental group receives intervention Control group does not receive intervention Independent variable factor manipulated ex memory strategies Dependent variable outcomes measured ex memory performance Cause and effect o Correlational designs Examines relations between variables Direction of relationship High high low low High low low high Magnitude of relationship 1 0 to 1 0 1 0 perfect negative relationship 1 0 perfect positive relationship 0 no relationship Correlation is not causality o Cross sectional studies Several groups of different aged people studied at one point in time Ex 40 year olds 50 year olds and 60 year olds studied in 2008 Allows us to study age differences Advantages disadvantages Advantages o Representative sample o Less costly Disadvantages o Cannot tell us about age change o Confound age cohort Does not show changes in age just points at the ages surveyed o Longitudinal studies One group of same aged people studied at different points over time Study same people over time Ex 50 year old in 2001 60 years old in 2010 and 70 years at 2020 Allows us to study age changes Advantages disadvantages Advantages o Can assess age changes o Considers cohort effects ex effects due to a person s year of birth Disadvantages o Time o Cost o Subject attrition people dropping out of study o Questionnaire self report Surveys questionnaire Positive People are the best reporters of their own behavior Unobservable data opinions beliefs values etc Negative Sometimes people fill in what they think must be socially desirable People forget things Captures nonverbal behavior and behaviour that one is unaware of or is reluctant to report Able to study people who cannot self report o Systematic observations Naturalistic vs laboratory Positive Negative Social desirability Observer bias o Physiological measures o Ethical considerations Informed consent Confidentiality Recordings of physiological characteristics or responses height blood pressure hormone levels
View Full Document
Unlocking...