Evaluating "baby think it over" infant simulators: a comparison group study.
To test the efficacy of Baby-Think-It-Over (BTIO) infant simulators, two versions of a sexuality education program were compared. While the program was designed to include BTIO as an important teaching technique, two schools (49 students) opted not to use them. These students completed all elements of the program except the BTIO activities. Their results were compared to students from three similar, neighboring schools that completed the regular program (including BTIO). Knowledge about sex, attitudes toward teen sex, parent-adolescent communication, and sexual behavior were measured on self-report instruments at the beginning and end of the three-week program. No significant differences were found between the two groups on any of the four measures on the pretest or posttest. This study and similar recent reports call into question the educational value of expensive infant simulators.
Barnett
Jerrold E
JE
Psychology/Sociology/Counseling Department, 2320 Colden Hall, Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, Missouri 64468, USA.