01:830:338 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Adult Development, Dependent And Independent Variables, Maximum Life Span

• School: Rutgers University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: 01:830:338
• Professor: Professor Lyra Stein

Document Summary

Correlation indicates extent to which two sets of scores covary. Correlations (r) can range from +1. 00 to 1. 00. Positive correlation shows high scores on the two dimensions occur together: negative correlations indicate high scores on one dimension go with low scores on the other. Tests if independent variable caused change in dependent variable. Conducted as if true experiments, but no random assignment of groups. Can provide valuable information, but cannot prove factor of interest causes change in dependent variable. Informs current state of participants on measure of interest. Case studies, interviews, participant observations, direct observations, and exploration of documents, artifacts, and archival records. Look at methods & results: overview of findings across studies. Primary aging: gradual, inevitable changes that happen to all when we age. Secondary aging: sudden changes resulting from disease, poor health habits, environmental influences. Free radicals: by-products of normal metabolism and response to environment. Resistance to and repair of potentially damaging chemical reactions decline with age.