If the goal of developmental psychology is to assess age changes,which developmental design is the best to use and why?
A) the cross-sectional design because you can answer developmental questions much faster than waiting for changes to happen
B) the cross-sectional design because you can assess the entire lifespan in a very short time
C) the longitudinal because you can watch changes over time within the same individual
D) the longitudinal because it is very easy and inexpensive

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The longitudinal design is the best to use in developmental psychology to assess age changes because it allows researchers to observe changes over time within the same individuals. This provides a more accurate picture of developmental changes as it eliminates the potential bias that may arise from comparing different individuals at different stages of their lives (as in the cross-sectional design). While longitudinal studies can be time-consuming and expensive, they provide the most comprehensive understanding of how individuals change across the lifespan.

If the Goal of Developmental Psychology Is to Assess Age