Question

as you learned in this module, developmental psychologists explore both stability and change. for example, one spanish research team tested the emotion - detecting ability of 12,198 people ages 17 to 76 (cabello et al., 2016). when comparing the groups, they found an inverted u pattern: middle - aged adults displayed the best emotion - detecting ability.

1. explain how you know that the study is cross - sectional?
2. explain how you know this is not an experiment.
3. how do you know the sample size?
4. draw a scatterplot depicting these findings. be sure to label each axis.

Explanation:

1. A cross-sectional study compares different age groups at a single point in time. This study tests and compares people across 17 to 76 years old all at once, rather than following groups over time.
2. An experiment requires manipulating an independent variable and controlling other factors. This study only measures existing emotion-detecting ability across age groups with no variable manipulation or random assignment to conditions.
3. The sample size is directly stated in the provided description of the research.
4. The scatterplot has age on the x-axis (ranging 17 to 76) and emotion-detecting ability on the y-axis. Data points form an inverted U: low ability at 17, rising to a peak in middle age (e.g., 40-50), then declining as age approaches 76.

Answer:

1. It compares different age groups simultaneously.
2. No variable manipulation or random assignment occurs.
3. The study explicitly states it tested 12,198 people.

4.

Axis	Label	Range/Trend
Y-axis	Emotion-Detecting Ability	Low → Peak (Middle Age) → Low

The scatterplot points follow an inverted U shape, with the highest points clustered around middle adulthood.