Does Breastfeeding
Make Babies Smar ter
Later In Life?
C I
RC
Source: M o r t e n s e o n , E . L . , M i ch a e l s e n , K . F. , S a n d e r s, S. A . , & Re i n i s c h , J. M . ( 2 0 0 2 ) .
The association between duration of breastfeeding and adult intelligence. The Journal
of the American Medical Association, 287, 2365-2371.
Goals:
Te a c h t h e m e a n i n g
and importance of
controlling for
m u t l i p l e v a r i a b l e s.
Te a c h h o w t o
distinguish biased
versus unbiased
sources of
infor mation.
Basic Idea:
This lesson looks at
the potential
relationship between
the number of months
a person spent
breastfeeding as an
infant and the
p e r s o n’s a d u l t
intelligence.
Gain Attention/Interest:
What would you do if I told you that I could give you
something to eat, and if you ate it ever yday for a few
months you would wind up smarter than if you
h a d n’t e a t e n i t ? Wo u l d y o u e a t i t ? Fo r h o w l o n g ?
Now imagine that this food is available to almost
e ve r y b a b y a n y w h e r e i n t h e wo r l d — r i c h o r p o o r,
male or female. Imagine also that babies eat it for
d i f f e r e n t l e n g t h s o f t i m e , a n d t h e y d o n ’t g e t t o
d e c i d e w h e n i t w i l l b e t a k e n a w a y.
Not eating this food would not make a person
s t u p i d ; p e o p l e c o u l d s t i l l b e ve r y i n t e l l i g e n t e ve n i f
they never tasted this food or had tasted it only a
f e w t i m e s. A n d c o n ve r s e l y, e a t i n g i t wo u l d n o t
a u t o m a t i c a l l y m a k e y o u i n t o a g e n i u s.
What is this seemingly magical food? Has anyone
f i g u r e d i t o u t ? I t ’s b r e a s t m i l k .
What does breastfeeding have to do with intelligence
later in life, and how could you possibly tell if being
b r e a s t f e d m a k e s a p e r s o n m o r e i n t e l l i g e n t ? Yo u c a n’t
give some babies breast milk, see how they turn out,
and then go back and not give them breast milk and
see what happens then.
www.circ.cornell.edu
C o p y r i g h t © 2 0 0 5 M a t t h e w C . M a k e l & We n d y M . W i l l i a m s. P r i n c i p a l I n v e s t i g a t o r : We n d y M . W i l l i a m s .
C o n t e n t : M a t t h e w C . M a k e l & We n d y M . W i l l i a m s . L a y o u t & D e s i g n : P a u l B. P a p i e r n o.
The answer to these questions can be found through science.
T h i n k & Wr i t e # 1
H o w c o u l d b r e a s t m i l k m a ke p e o p l e s m a r t e r ?
What could breat milk have to do with intelligence?
Some students may need more specific questions to write more
t h a n “ I d o n’t k n o w ” . S o m e s a m p l e a d d i t i o n a l q u e s t i o n s : T h i n k o f
some specific differences between a baby who is breastfed and one
who is not. List them, and try to come up with an explanation for
how these differences could influence intelligence.
Activity
Have students for m a value line based on their cur rent opinion.
One side of the classroom can represent 100% confidence that
breastfeeding and intelligence are related, while the other side can
represent 100% confidence that breastfeeding and intelligence are
n o t r e l a t e d . P l a c e s i n b e t w e e n c a n r e p r e s e n t v a r y i n g l e ve l s o f
middle ground. Once students have chosen their respective
p l a c e s, a s k f o r v o l u n t e e r s t o e x p r e s s w hy t h e y m a d e t h e c h o i c e
they did.
Ask: What is Science?
1
Ask:
What
is
Science?
T h e p u r p o s e o f s c i e n c e i s t o a n s w e r q u e s t i o n s.
Science does this through the method of proof by
disproof. A non-scientist might try to answer a
question by gathering evidence, or proof, in support
o f h e r a n s w e r. S c i e n t i s t s a n s w e r q u e s t i o n s i n a
s l i g h t l y d i f f e r e n t w a y. T h e y l o o k f o r d i s p r o o f ; t h e y
tr y to find any possible way that a specific answer
could be shown to be incorrect. If all other answers
are eliminated, or disproved, then the answer that is
l e f t h a s a l o t o f s u p p o r t . T h u s, s c i e n t i s t s g a t h e r
p r o o f f o r t h e i r a n s w e r b y t r y i n g t o d i s p r o ve i t . I f
they fail to disprove their answer, they can conclude
that their answer might be tr ue. This is called the
method of proof by disproof.
Imagine someone gives you a list of many different foods you have eaten,
and one by one you eliminate the foods you liked the least. After
eliminating all the different foods except one, the last food left on the list
i s m o r e t h a n l i k e l y a f o o d t h a t y o u l i k e. B u t s c i e n t i s t s w o u l d n’t c o n c l u d e
that it is your favorite food because there might be another option out
t h e r e t h a t w a s n’t e v e n o n t h e l i s t . B y e l i m i n a t i n g a l o t o f i n c o r r e c t
a n s w e r s, s c i e n t i s t s f e e l b e t t e r a b o u t c o n c l u d i n g t h e y m i g h t h a v e a c o r r e c t
a n s w e r.
2
Define the Problem: See Many Sides
How can anyone possibly measure the connection
between breastfeeding and intelligence? How can all
other possible answers be eliminated? There are a lot of
different people who were raised by different types of
p a r e n t s, i n d i f f e r e n t w ay s, a n d i n d i f f e r e n t
e n v i r o n m e n t s. O n e o f t h e i m p o r t a n t f i r s t s t e p s i n
science is to clearly state the question being considered.
Often, an overly broad or general question can be really
h a r d t o a n s w e r. To a v o i d t h i s, s c i e n t i s t s u s u a l l y t r y t o
answer a set of specific questions first, before trying to
a n s w e r b r o a d e r q u e s t i o n s. H o w e ve r , i t ’s i m p o r t a n t t o
know that even specific questions can be quite difficult
t o a n s w e r. Fo r e x a m p l e , a n s w e r i n g a q u e s t i o n s u c h a s
“what is the relationship between the amount of time
spent breastfeeding and adult intelligence?” can be
quite difficult because different groups approach the
p r o b l e m i n d i f f e r e n t w a y s. D e p e n d i n g o n w h o i s
looking at the question, their goals and interests in how the question is
a s k e d a n d h o w i t i s a n s w e r e d c a n d i f f e r.
Define
the
Problem:
See
Many
Sides.
T h i n k & Wr i t e # 2
Hypothesis for mation
A s k s t u d e n t s t o f or m a hy p o t h e s i s a b o u t h ow a p a r t i c u l a r g r o u p m i g h t v i e w t h e
r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t we e n b r e a s t f e e d i n g a n d i n t e l l i g e n c e. B e l ow a r e s o m e e x a m p l e s,
a s we l l a s i n f or m a t i o n r e g a r d i n g e d u c a t i o n r e q u i r e m e n t s f o r s u ch g r o u p s.
Pa r e n t s . P a r e n t s w a n t t h e i r c h i l d r e n t o b e h e a l t h y a n d h a p p y. D o y o u
think they would want to do something that would help their kids grow up
smarter? But not all parents feed their children by breastfeeding — some
buy baby for mula from the store. There is no education requirement to be
a parent, but knowing more about parenting can help parents to better
raise their children.
P e d i a t r i c i a n . Pe d i a t r i c i a n s c a r e f o r t h e m e d i c a l n e e d s o f c h i l d r e n w h e n
t h e y a r e i l l . T h e y a l s o a d v i s e p a r e n t s o n h o w t o k e e p k i d s h e a l t h y.
Infor mation regarding intelligence and the feeding of infants is important
t o p e d i a t r i c i a n s. I f a n y a c t i o n m i g h t b e c o n s i d e r e d p o t e n t i a l l y h a r m f u l t o
a c h i l d ’s h e a l t h , t h e n a d o c t o r wo u l d l i k e l y n o t r e c o m m e n d i t . O r i f t h e r e
was something a mother could do to help her child, doctors would be in
f av o r o f i t . Pe d i a t r i c i a n s a t t e n d f o u r - y e a r c o l l e g e s a n d m e d i c a l s c h o o l a n d
g e t f u r t h e r t r a i n i n g o n t h e j o b.
Policy Analyst. A policy analyst looks at how making different decisions
c a n i n f l u e n c e t h e g ov e r n m e n t , b u s i n e s s e s, a n d p e o p l e ’s l i v e s. Po l i c y
a n a l y s t s o f t e n wo r k i n p l a c e s l i k e Wa s h i n g t o n D. C . , a n d a t t e n d f o u r - y e a r
c o l l e g e s t o s t u d y p o l i t i c a l s c i e n c e o r l a w.
Educator. It is the job of educators to teach kids and help prepare them
for further education and life beyond school. Educators would likely
w e l c o m e a w ay o f h e l p i n g k i d s b e c o m e a s s m a r t a s p o s s i b l e . Te a c h e r s
attend four-year colleges and usually attend some graduate school.
B a b y Fo r m u l a M a n u f a c t u r e r . C o m p a n i e s t h a t m a k e
baby for mula are highly interested in selling their product.
News that breastfeeding can increase intellig ence is ver y
important to them because it could negatively influence
sales of their product.
BIASED SOURCE
Any group that could
potentially make a
profit depending on
the outcome of a study
will likely have a biased
v i e w.
B e c a u s e t h e r e a r e s o m a n y d i f f e r e n t q u e s t i o n s, a n d s o m a n y d i f f e r e n t s i d e s
to each question, it is important to focus on the topic and study one
question at a time. When scientists approach a problem, they seek to
a n s w e r a s p e c i f i c q u e s t i o n . Fo r t o d a y, w e w i l l f o c u s
on the relationship between the amount of time
spent breastfeeding as a baby and adult intelligence.
Distinguish Fact From Opinion:
Learn What Constitutes
Scientific Evidence
T h i s i s a d i f f i c u l t q u e s t i o n t o c o n s i d e r. A s w e
discussed, scientists go about answering questions
by t r y i n g t o e l i m i n a t e a s m a n y a n s w e r s a s p o s s i b l e .
Fo r e x a m p l e , i f w e w e r e t o a s k t h e s m a r t e s t a d u l t s
whether or not they were breastfed, we would
likely get a variety of answers: Some would say
“yes”, some would say “no”, and a lot would
p r o b a b l y s a y “ I d o n’t k n o w.” B e s i d e s, w e a l l k n o w
3
Fact Versus
Opinion:
What
Constitutes
Evidence?
there is a lot more to being smart than just breastfeeding as a baby! What
about how smart your parents are, how many years of school they
attended, how many years of school you attended, in what kind of
environment you were raised, and how healthy you were while growing up?
There are many factors that can play a role in the development of
intelligence.
W i t h t h i s t y p e o f q u e s t i o n , s c i e n t i s t s d o n’t j u s t w a n t t o g o a r o u n d a n d a s k
p e o p l e t h e i r o p i n i o n s, t h e y w a n t f a c t s a n d e v i d e n c e . S o, g i ve n t h a t t h e r e
are numerous factors that can help make someone more intelligent as an
adult, how can scientists possibly measure whether or not breastfeeding as
a b a b y l e a d s t o h i g h e r i n t e l l i g e n c e ? To a n s w e r t h i s q u e s t i o n , w e n e e d t o
know the difference between a fact and an opinion, and know what
infor mation can be used as evidence to help answer our question. Which
o f t h e f o l l o w i n g a r e o p i n i o n s, a n d w h i c h a r e f a c t s ? W h i c h s c e n a r i o s, i f
t r u e , wo u l d h e l p a n s w e r o u r q u e s t i o n ?
Yo u m a y w a n t t o c o n s i d e r h a v i n g s t u d e n t s f o r m s m a l l g r o u p s t o d i s c u s s t h e
f o l l o w i n g s c e n a r i o s.
Scenario 1: A doctor at a hospital keeps track of whether or not
her patients breastfeed their children. Then, when these children
are 16 years old, she measures their intelligence.
Scenario 2: A reporter who is interested in breastfeeding and
intelligence begins to investigate whether or not Albert Einstein,
one of the smartest people ever to live, was breastfed or not. What
i n f l u e n c e s h o u l d t h e r e p o r t e r ’s r e s u l t s h a v e o n s c i e n t i f i c r e s e a r ch ?
Scenario 3: T he president of a baby-for mula-making company
s a y s h e r s o n h a d n o t h i n g b u t b a by f o r m u l a a s a n i n f a n t , b u t h e
g r e w u p a n d g o t i n t o e ve r y c o l l e g e h e a p p l i e d t o.
Scenario 4: A parent thinks using baby for mula to feed her child is
better because this way it is easier for her to measure how much
h e r b a b y i s e a t i n g e a c h d a y.
Things to discuss about each scenario:
Scenario 1: T his infor mation would yield facts and evidence. As
long as the doctor was able to keep track of a wide variety of
people, she would get results that interest the scientific
c o m m u n i t y.
Scenario 2: T his stor y would be a fact (assuming the repor ter
f o u n d a c c u r a t e i n f o r m a t i o n ) . H o w e ve r , e v e n t h o u g h t h e
r e p o r t e r ’s r e s e a r c h m a y r e s u l t i n a n i n t e r e s t i n g s t o r y, a s i n g l e
p e r s o n’s l i f e , r e g a r d l e s s o f h o w i m p o r t a n t h e w a s, d o e s n o t
represent adequate scientific evidence to answer a question
about something that affects all people. Scientists are interested
in how breastfeeding is related to intelligence for a lot of people,
not just for one particular person.
Scenario 3: T his is a fact; her son had only baby for mula and g ot
i n t o a l l t h e c o l l e g e s h e a p p l i e d t o. H o w e v e r, a s t h e p r e s i d e n t o f a
b a b y f o r m u l a c o m p a n y, s h e h a s a n o b v i o u s i n t e r e s t i n s h o w i n g
t h a t b r e a s t f e e d i n g i s n’t t h e o n l y w a y f o r k i d s t o b e s m a r t .
A d d i t i o n a l l y, a s p r e s i d e n t o f a c o m p a n y, s h e i s l i k e l y w e l l
educated and has the financial ability to support a strong
e d u c a t i o n . T h e s e f a c t o r s w o u l d h a v e i n f l u e n c e d h e r s o n’s
development.
Scenario 4: T his is an opinion. It may ver y well be tr ue that a
parent prefers baby for mula because it can be measured, but
w i t h o u t g a t h e r i n g e v i d e n c e , s h e d o e s n’t k n o w f o r s u r e. A l s o, n o
m a t t e r w h e t h e r i t i s t r u e o r f a l s e , i t d o e s n’t r e a l l y h e l p u s a n s w e r
our question, so the infor mation is not relevant.
T h e a b o v e e x a m p l e s s h o w t h a t e ve n i f y o u g e t “ t h e f a c t s,” t h i s
d o e s n’t n e c e s s a r i l y m e a n t h a t y o u h a v e s c i e n t i f i c e v i d e n c e . O f t e n , i t
depends on the source of your infor mation. If you g et your
infor mation from one person, or from a group of people all of whom
h a v e s o m e t h i n g i n c o m m o n , t h i s i s n o t a r e p r e s e n t a t i ve s a m p l e . To
conduct representative sampling, you need to make sure that all
different kinds of people have an equal chance of being chosen to
participate. Albert Einstein and the son of a company president are
n o t r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s a m p l e s o f t h e g e n e r a l p o p u l a t i o n . Yo u n e e d m a n y
p e o p l e , f r o m a l l d i f f e r e n t k i n d s o f b a c k g r o u n d s, t o m a k e u p a
representative sample.
To m a k e s u r e y o u r i n f o r m a t i o n i s r e a l l y b a s e d o n f a c t s a n d t h a t t h e s e f a c t s
represent evidence related to the question, you have to
REPRESENTATIVE
make sure that it is the amount of time spent breastSAMPLE
feeding and not something else that is influencing
A representative
intelligence (i.e., parent education, time spent in
sample is an accurate
s c h o o l , e t c. ) . H e r e ’s a n e x a m p l e t h a t m a y c l e a r u p h o w
reflection of the
population being
scientists are able to eliminate some of the other factors
measured.
a n d l o o k o n l y a t t i m e s p e n t b r e a s t f e e d i n g.
Activity
Have students partner up girl-boy and see how high they can
r e a c h o n t h e w a l l w h i l e s t a n d i n g. Re c o r d w h e t h e r t h e m a l e o r
t h e f e m a l e c a n r e a c h h i g h e r. T h e n m a k e t h e c o n c l u s i o n t h a t
<inser t g ender (most likely male) here> have longer ar ms
because they tend to be able to reach higher on the wall.
H o p e f u l l y, t h e s t u d e n t s w i l l n o t e t h a t b o y s t e n d t o b e t a l l e r
t h a n g i r l s a n d t h u s c l a i m “ i t ’s n o t f a i r ” . We c a n t h e n
introduce how to control for a variable. Controlling for a
variable is to hold it equal. In this case, to control for height
wo u l d m e a n t o d o t h e s a m e a c t i v i t y, b u t s u b t r a c t t h e
difference in heights between the two people. (Example: Will
is 6 feet tall and can reach 8 feet high and Amy is 5 feet tall
and can reach 7 feet high. Because their height difference is
one foot, their ar m reach ability is the same.) T hus
controlling for height eliminates the difference in height.
When measuring whether breastfeeding leads to higher intelligence,
scientists have to hold equal the many factors representing different
a s p e c t s o f p e o p l e ’s l i ve s. A f t e r h o l d i n g t h e s e
CONTROL
d i f f e r e n c e s e q u a l ( e . g. , h o w m u c h e d u c a t i o n a p e r s o n
To h e l p s t u d e n t s
has received) scientists look at whether the breastfed
understand the word
control, tell them they
p e o p l e g r o w u p t o b e s m a r t e r. I f a d i f f e r e n c e i n
can substitute the
i n t e l l i g e n c e s t i l l e x i s t s, t h e r e m u s t b e a r e l a t i o n s h i p
words “hold equal” if
b e t w e e n b r e a s t f e e d i n g a n d i n t e l l i g e n c e . I t ’s l i k e t h e
that makes more sense
example of reaching height: If, after controlling for
to them.
body height, there is still a difference, then the ar m
r e a c h m u s t b e l o n g e r. I f w e m a d e e q u a l a g r o u p o f p e o p l e i n y e a r s o f
school, for example, we could ask if the smarter people in the group were
t h e o n e s w h o w e r e b r e a s t f e d , k n o w i n g t h a t w e ’r e n o t c o n f u s i n g t h e i s s u e
w i t h y e a r s o f s c h o o l i n g.
Weigh Evidence and Make Decisions
When studying breastfeeding and intelligence, scientists tried to hold equal
many factors they thought might cause differences in adult intelligence.
T h i s p r o c e s s o f h o l d i n g t h i n g s e q u a l i s c a l l e d c o n t r o l l i n g f o r o t h e r f a c t o r s.
Scientists controlled for:
· parental social status and education
· ”single mother” status
· m o t h e r ’s h e i g h t , a g e , a n d w e i g h t g a i n d u r i n g p r e g n a n c y
· cigarette consumption in the third trimester
· number of pregnancies
· et hs tei mb aa bt eyd ggr ee ws t abt ieof no ar el abgeei n(gi . eb.o, rhno) .w m a n y w e e k s
Weigh
4
· birth weight
· birth length
· a n y c o m p l i c a t i o n s d u r i n g p r e g n a n c y o r d e l i v e r y.
Evidence
and
Make
Decisions.
The result they found was that longer lengths of
breastfeeding typically lead to higher scores on
i n t e l l i g e n c e t e s t s. O b v i o u s l y, t h e y d i d n’t h a v e f i f t e e n - y e a r - o l d k i d s b e i n g
breastfed participating in their study; they measured children only up to
about one year of age. On average, the highest peak intelligence was for
t h o s e b a b i e s w h o w e r e b r e a s t f e d f o r 7 - 9 m o n t h s.
T h i n k & Wr i t e # 3
How about now?
Have students write about their thoughts now that they have
learned what scientists have done and the results they have found.
D o t h e y f e e l t h e s a m e a s t h e y d i d d u r i n g T h i n k & Wr i t e 1 ?
N o w t h a t w e k n o w t h i s, w h a t d o e s i t m e a n ? D o e s i t m e a n t h a t i f a b a b y i s
not breastfed that he will automatically be dumb? Does it mean that being
breastfed longer will make someone really smart? What if she was breastfed
her entire life, would that make her the smartest person in the world?!
A nonscientist might mistakenly conclude that all infants who were
b r e a s t f e d f o r 7 - 9 m o n t h s w e r e t h e s m a r t e s t b a b i e s. T h i s c o n c l u s i o n w o u l d
be incorrect. A more accurate conclusion is that, on average, the people
who were breastfed for this long scored higher on intelligence tests than
p e o p l e w h o w e r e n o t b r e a s t f e d a s l o n g. I t d o e s n’t h a p p e n f o r e v e r y b a by
who is breastfed, but it happens to many of them. The difference is not big
enough to turn the babies into Albert Einstein, but there is a difference.
Being breastfed does not automatically make someone smart, nor does not
b e i n g b r e a s t f e d a u t o m a t i c a l l y m a k e a p e r s o n s t u p i d . We c a n’t r e a l l y m a k e
predictions about what a person would be like if he or she were breastfed
for his or her whole life because no one has ever tested this option.
B e s i d e s, b e i n g b r e a s t f e d w h i l e i n m a t h c l a s s m i g h t b e a b i t a w k w a r d .
Why does breastfeeding tend to lead to higher scores on intelligence tests?
Three possibilities are:
· HT huems ae nnmu tirl ike nctosn tma ai nys sst oi mmuel ant ue t rbireani tns dt he va et l bo apbym e nf ot .r m u l a d o e s n o t .
· Tc ohnenpe chtyisoinc abl ectowneteanc t moof t hf eeer dai nn gd acnhdi l dt hme apys ys ct ihmoul ol agtiec a l
brain development.
· Sb or ema es t fueneiddienngt i fainedd tfoa c ti nofras nat r ec orgenl ai tt ievde bdoetvhe ltoop m e n t .
Move From Science to Society
There are many questions about the relationship between
breastfeeding and intelligence. Many of the questions
d o n’t n e c e s s a r i l y h a v e “ r i g h t ” a n d “ w r o n g ” a n s w e r s,
because arguments can be made for and against each
s i d e . I t ’s l i k e a r g u i n g a b o u t w h i c h i s a b e t t e r s n a c k , i c e
c r e a m o r c o o k i e s : T h e r e ’s n o “ r i g h t ” a n s w e r, i t j u s t
depends.
5
Move
From
Science
To
Society.
Fo r e x a m p l e :
D e p e n d i n g o n t i m e , h a v e t h e c l a s s d i s c u s s a f e w o f t h e s e q u e s t i o n s.
· Imf obt hr eearsst tmo i lbkr ema satkfeese du st hsemi ra rbt earb,i essh?o u l d t h e g o v e r n m e n t r e q u i r e
· Imf i lbkr ae lals ot fuere dl iivnegs ?m aOkre si sutsh es mr ea ar t pe ro,i ns th oa ut lwd hwi ceh ttrhye t bo ecnoenf istusmneo bl or enagsetr
happen? At what age do the benefits of breastfeeding cease? (12
months? 24 months? 3-4 years?)
· Ii nf t be lrlei agsetnfte epdeionpgl el ewa desr et ob rheiagsht feer di nf toerl lliog ne ng ec re , t hd aone sa nt hyiosnme eeal ns e ?t h a t a l l
· Wi n thealtl i ga be notu twtehree n’to p pborseiat es t?f e Dd ?o e s i t m e a n t h a t p e o p l e w h o a r e n’t a s
W h a t s h o u l d o u r s o c i e t y ’s p o s i t i o n b e o n b a b y f o r m u l a ? S h o u l d w e a l l o w
advertisements for it? Should we allow hospitals to give out free samples
o f f o r m u l a ? S h o u l d w e a l l o w n u r s e s t o e n c o u r a g e wo m e n t o f e e d f o r m u l a
to infants when the women are tired after giving birth? Should we require
hospitals to give out infor mation on the benefits of breastfeeding? What
are the implications for our society and our children? Should we offer
b r e a s t f e e d i n g m o t h e r s p r i va t e p l a c e s t o f e e d t h e i r b a b i e s i n r e s t a u r a n t s,
m a l l s, s t o r e s, e t c ? T h e s e a r e a l l e x a m p l e s o f r e l e v a n t r e a l wo r l d q u e s t i o n s
with which scientists grapple.
Revisit, Review, Reflect, and Re-evaluate
A s o f r i g h t n o w, s c i e n t i s t s b e l i e ve t h e r e i s a
relationship between time spent breastfeeding and
adult intelligence. However, scientists are far from
d o n e a s k i n g q u e s t i o n s a b o u t b r e a s t f e e d i n g. To m a k e
s u r e t h e y h a ve t h e b e s t i n f o r m a t i o n p o s s i b l e ,
s c i e n t i s t s c o n t i n u a l l y r e v i s i t q u e s t i o n s, r e f l e c t , a n d r e evaluate how they could potentially better answer the
q u e s t i o n s, o r h o w t h e y c o u l d c h e c k t o s e e i f t h e
a n s w e r t h a t w a s f o u n d b e f o r e s t i l l a p p l i e s t o d a y. J u s t
b e c a u s e s o m e t h i n g w a s t r u e t e n y e a r s a g o d o e s n’t
m e a n t h a t i t s t i l l r e m a i n s t r u e t o d a y. S c i e n t i s t s
constantly review their old work to make sure it
remains up to date.
6
Revisit,
Review,
Reflect,
and
Re-evaluate.
K e y TTe
r ms
h i n k & Wr i t e # 4
What's next?
B a s e d o n w h a t t h e y k n o w n o w, h a v e s t u d e n t s h y p o t h e s i z e a b o u t
which further scientific studies might be done so that scientists can
better understand how breastfeeding and intelligence are related.
Po t e n t i a l i d e a s : A r e s o m e b a b i e s m o r e i n f l u e n c e d t h a n o t h e r s ?
Which ones? Why? What can be done for infants whose mothers
cannot breastfeed them?
Discussion Questions
1 . G i v e n w h a t y o u k n o w n o w, s h o u l d t h e g o v e r n m e n t t a k e a n y a c t i o n t o
s p r e a d t h i s i n f o r m a t i o n ? I f s o, w h a t a c t i o n s s h o u l d b e t a k e n ? I f n o t ,
why not?
2. What could scientists do differently to learn more about the
relationship between breastfeeding and intelligence?
H o m e wo r k Q u e s t i o n s
1 . F i n d a n o t h e r s i t u a t i o n i n w h i c h v a r i a b l e s h a v e t o b e c o n t r o l l e d f o r.
Describe.
Cor nell Institute for
Research on Children
January 03, 2005
Quiz Questions
Ve r s i o n A
1. In general, which of the following groups of people would have the
strongest motivation to show that there is no relationship between
breastfeeding and intelligence?
a . Pa r e n t s
b. D o c t o r s
c. Schools
d.
B a by - f o r m u l a m a k e r s
2. Who would be more interested to learn whether or not Albert Einstein,
one of the smartest people ever to live, was breastfed as a baby— a
newspaper reporter or a scientist? Why?
Quiz Questions
Ve r s i o n B
1. Circle any of the following groups that would have strong motivation
to show that there is no relationship between breastfeeding and
intelligence.
a . Pa r e n t s
e. Nurses
b. D o c t o r s
f. Advertisers
c. Schools
g. B o t t l e m a n u f a c t u r e r s
d. Baby for mula makers
2. If consuming breast milk makes children smarter, should the
government require mothers to breastfeed their babies? Think of at least
one reason for the answer to be ‘yes’ and one reason for the answer to be
‘ n o.’
3. Who would be more interested to learn whether or not Albert Einstein,
one of the smartest people ever to live, was breastfed as a baby— a
newspaper reporter or a scientist? Why?
Quiz Questions
Ve r s i o n C
1 . I n 2 - 3 s e n t e n c e s, e x p l a i n a s s p e c i f i c a l l y a s p o s s i b l e t h e p e r s p e c t i v e o f
each of the following groups’ responses to the question, “What is the
relationship between the amount of time spend breastfeeding and adult
intelligence?”
Parents
Baby for mula makers
Doctors
Bottle manufacturers
Te a c h e r s
Nurses
2. Which of the above perspectives do you think are the most similar?
Why? Which two perspectives do you think are the most different? Why?
3 . I n 2 - 3 s e n t e n c e s, e x p l a i n w h y i t m i g h t b e m o r e i n t e r e s t i n g t o a
newspaper reporter rather than a scientist to learn that Albert Einstein,
o n e o f t h e s m a r t e s t p e o p l e e v e r t o l i v e , w a s b r e a s t f e d a s a b a b y.