The Berkeley Growth Study

Specific aspects of this study have been reported in a series of articles and monographs listed in the attached bibliography; the present report deals with the general program, which has not been elsewhere described. The sixty-one cases originally included in this study were normal Berkeley children born in hospitals between September 25, 1928 and May 15, 1929. The families selected included only white, Englishspeaking parents who could be regarded as permanent residents of Berkeley and who were willing to cooperate in bringing their children to the Institute for the required series of examinations. In consequence of the selective factors involved, the group tends to be somewhat above the average in measures of socio-economic status (parental occupation, income, and education). The original sample of 61 children (31 boys and 30 girls) has decreased slowly to 46 cases (24 boys and 22 girls) who remain available for regular examination at the present time (average age 12 years, as of January 1, 1941). Reduction in the sample has been due primarily to families moving out of town; so far as possible, relationships with these parents have been maintained through correspondence, with occasional opportunities to renew contact with the children. The original group has been augmented by ten younger cases, five girls and five boys, who have been followed through the same schedule, and now range in age from eight and one-half to ten years. Nine additional children (including a set of triplets) have been tested at less frequent ages on a. less complete schedule. The problems investigated have dealt chiefly with mental, motor, and physical development, observed from birth and with the plan of continuing to maturity. The program of psychological study is essentially descriptive, involving (a) the assessment, seriatim, of each individual's status in the group in a wide range of characteristics, (b) the study of trends and other age variations in status, and (c) the analysis of certain correlated factors. While interest has not been directed primarily toward personality nor toward attempts at the detailed interpretation of growth dynamics, considerable use has been made of qualitative observations and of material from interviews, in addition to the more largely quantitative records. The program of physical measurements and medical examinations is based on a schedule planned by Dr. Herbert R. Stolz. Dr. Bayley has been in direct charge