CV Data

however, was tiny and not representative. For one thing, they were all depressed enough to be hospitalized at the Massachusetts Mental Health Center. The patients with the most severe symptoms, the researchers said, “were foreign-born or first-generation Americans who had followed the traditions of their native countries and had achieved the median educational level with only nine years of schooling. They had married before age 18, had begun family life almost immediately, and were socially withdrawn to a great extent, with few or no friends or interests outside the home.”

From this non-random sample, which the authors themselves paraguay cell phone number list claim cannot serve as evidence, the “empty nest” idea was derived and has proven tenacious over the decades (pp. 94-95).”

After reading this chapter, I thought that it often happens that the “interesting-sounding” results of some very narrow research end up in pop science. From there, thanks to its resonance, the myth ends up in pop culture. If the circulation of this myth is commercially or politically advantageous to someone, then it is guaranteed a long life.

Unfortunately, this also happens in sociological and marketing research. The results of a study on a narrow sample (or even on the basis of 1-2 focus groups) are extrapolated to a wide audience, and incorrect decisions are made.