Since its foundation by the late Paul B. Baltes in 1981, the Center for Lifespan Psychology has sought to promote conceptual and methodological innovation within developmental psychology and in interdisciplinary context. Over the years, the critical examination of relations among theory, method, and data has evolved into a distinct feature of the Center. The Formal Methods project continues this tradition, with an emphasis on computer algebra and machine learning. Its main goals are to: (a) critically examine the link between theory and data provided by existing statistical methods, (b) refine and develop statistical methods, and (c) equip researchers with means for optimizing the efficiency of data acquisition and data analysis.

Key references

• Hertzog, C., Lindenberger, U., Ghisletta, P., & Oertzen, T. von (2006). On the power of multivariate latent growth curve models to detect correlated change. Psychological Methods, 11, 244–252.
• Oertzen, T. von, Ghisletta, P., & Lindenberger, U. (in press). Simulating statistical power in latent growth curve modeling: A strategy for evaluating age-based changes in cognitive resources. In M. Crocker & J. Siekmann (Eds.), Resource adaptive cognitive processes. Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag.
• Oertzen, T. von (in press). Power equivalence in structural equation modeling. British Journal of Mathematical and Statistical Psychology.

Scientific Investigators:
Timo von Oertzen
Ulman Lindenberger

Predoctoral Fellow:
Andreas Brandmaier