The Following Paragraph Describes an Actual Study

question 29

Essay

The following paragraph describes an actual study. After reading the description, determine whether the study is an observational or experimental study. Justify your answer with specific references to the information in the study. "Before the opening of the new International Airport and the termination of the old airport, children near both sites were recruited into aircraft-noise groups (aircraft noise at present or pending) and control groups with no aircraft noise and closely matched for socio-economic status. A total of 326 children (mean age = 10.4 years) took part in three data-collection waves, one before and two after the switch-over of the airports. After the switch to the new airport, long-term memory and reading were found to be impaired in the noise group at the new airport, and improved in the formerly noise-exposed group at the old airport."

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Definitions:

Anxiety Disorders

Mental health disorders characterized by significant and persistent fear and anxiety, negatively impacting a person's daily functioning.

Schizophrenia

A complex, long-term medical disorder characterized by disordered thoughts, beliefs, and perceptions, leading to a disconnect from reality (psychosis).

Medical Model

A framework that views psychological disorders as the result of biological factors and treats them with medical interventions.

Abnormal Behaviour

Actions, thoughts, or emotions that are considered deviant by society's standards, potentially interfering with an individual's functioning.