Syllabus: Paper I > 12. Applications of Anthropology > Anthropology of sports
Longitudinal Method of Studying Growth — 2015 Paper I
Question · 2015 · Paper I · 10 Marks
Longitudinal method of studying growth.
Model Answer
VAID ICSApproach
- Demand of Question: Explain the longitudinal method used in human growth studies and evaluate its major advantages and limitations.
- Structuring the Response: Define repeated observation of the same individuals, describe its procedure and contrast its strengths with practical limitations.
- Key Dimensions to Cover: Same subjects, repeated measurements, growth velocity, individual variation, puberty, attrition, cost and mixed-longitudinal design.
Model Answer
Introduction: The longitudinal method studies human growth by repeatedly measuring the same individuals at successive ages over a specified period. It differs from the cross-sectional method, which examines different individuals at different ages at one point in time.
For example:
Child at 6 years → 7 years → 8 years → 9 years
Measurements may include:
- stature;
- weight;
- sitting height;
- skeletal maturation;
- body composition;
- sexual maturation.
Advantages
- Reveals the actual growth trajectory of an individual.
- Allows calculation of growth velocity.
- Identifies timing of the adolescent growth spurt.
- Demonstrates individual differences in:
- tempo;
- timing;
- maturation.
- Helps study relationships between early and later growth.
Limitations
- expensive and time-consuming;
- subject attrition may occur;
- repeated observation may extend for many years;
- changing measurement techniques can affect comparability;
- relatively small samples may reduce representativeness.
A mixed-longitudinal design combines overlapping age cohorts to reduce study duration.
Conclusion: Despite logistical limitations, the longitudinal method is especially valuable because it reveals the dynamic process, velocity and individual pattern of human growth, which cross-sectional studies cannot directly provide.
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UPSC Anthropology Optional 2015 — Paper I
28 questions7(a) What is an anthropometric somatotype ? Describe Heath and Carter's method of somatotyping.
20 Marks
Syllabus: Paper I > 10. Human growth and development > Human physique and somatotypes
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10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.3 Main branches of Anthropology > Archaeological Anthropology
Syllabus: Paper I > 6. Anthropological Theories > Postmodernism in Anthropology
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Syllabus: Paper I > 1.6 Phylogenetic status, characteristics and geographical distribution > Homo erectus
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10 Marks150 words
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Syllabus: Paper I > 6. Anthropological Theories > Historical Particularism (Boas)
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1(c) Incest Taboos.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 2.3 Marriage > Rules of marriage > Incest taboo
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10 Marks150 words
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10 Marks150 words
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10 Marks150 words
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10 Marks150 words
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