Ch1 introduction

Invitation to the Life Span

Chapter 1– The Science of Development

Defining Development

The science of human development…

seeks to understand how and why people—all kinds of people, everywhere, of every age—change over time.

3 important elements inLife Span Psychology

• It’s a science

• Studies all kinds of people- all ages, ethnicities, races, sex etc.

• Studies changes from conception to death

The Nature-Nurture Debate

• Nature refers to the influence of genes which we inherit.

• Nurture refers to environmental influences, such as:– health and diet of the embryo’s mother – family– school– community– society

Development is multidirectional

Development Is Multicontextual

• HISTORICAL CONTEXT- All persons born within a few years of one another are said to be a cohort, a group defined by the shared age of its members.

Multi-contextual con’t

Socioeconomic Contextsocioeconomic status (SES)

A person’s position in society as determined by income, wealth, occupation, education, and place of residence.

Development Is Multicultural

• Culture - patterns of behavior that are passed from one generation to the next.

• Ethnic group - People whose ancestors were born in the same region and who often share a language, culture, and religion

Development is Multi-Disciplinary

Plasticity

Development Is Plastic• Human traits can be molded (as plastic can be),

yet people maintain a certain durability of identity (as plastic does).

Theories of Human Development

A developmental theory is a systematic statement of principles and generalizations that provides a framework for understanding how and why people change as they grow older.

Theories of Human Development

Psychoanalytic Theory• A theory of human development that holds that

irrational, unconscious drives and motives, often originating in childhood, underlie human behavior.

• Psychoanalytic theory originated with Sigmund Freud (1856– 1939)

Theories of Human Development

Erickson’s Stages• Erik Erikson (1902–1994)• Described eight developmental stages, each

characterized by a challenging developmental

crisis.• His first five stages build on Freud’s theory; but,

he also described three adult stages.

Theories of Human Development

Behaviorism

• A theory of human development that studies observable behavior. Behaviorism is also called learning theory, because it describes the laws and processes by which behavior is learned.

Theories of Human Development

Social Learning Theory - Albert Bandura • An extension of behaviorism that emphasizes

the influence that other people have over a person’s behavior.

• Modeling- people learn by observing other people and then copying them.

Theories of Human Development

Cognitive Theory• Thoughts and expectations profoundly affect

action.• Focuses on changes in how people think over

time.• Jean Piaget (1896–1980)

Theories of Human Development

Systems Theory• Change in one part of a person, family, or society

affects every aspect of development

Ecological systems approach- Urie Bronfenbrenner (1917–2005)

• The person should be considered in all the contexts and interactions that constitute a life.

Understanding How and Why

Five basic steps of the scientific method:

1. On the basis of theory, prior research, or a personal observation, pose a question.

2. Develop a hypothesis, a specific prediction, that can be tested.

3. Test the hypothesis. Design and conduct research to gather empirical evidence (data).

4. Draw conclusions. Use the evidence to support or refute the hypothesis.

5. Report the results. Share the data and conclusions, as well as alternative explanation.

Using the Scientific Method

Scientific Observation • requires the researcher to record behavior

systematically and objectively.• May be done in a naturalistic setting such as a

home, school, or other public place.• May be done in a laboratory.

Using the Scientific Method

The Experiment establishes causal relationships among variables.

• independent variable- the variable that is introduced to see what effect it has on the dependent variable.

• dependent variable- the variable that may change as a result of whatever new condition or situation the experimenter adds.

Using the Scientific Method

• experimental group- gets a particular treatment (the independent variable).

• comparison group (also called a control group), which does not get the treatment.

Using the Scientific Method

The Survey• Information is collected from a large number of

people by interview, questionnaire, or some other means.

• Acquiring valid survey data is not easy.• Some people lie, some change their minds.• Survey answers are influenced by the wording

and the sequence of the questions.

Studying Development over the Life Span

Cross-sectional Research• Groups of people of one age are compared with

people of another age.Longitudinal Research• Collecting data repeatedly on the same

individuals as they age.Cross-sequential Research• Study several groups of people of different ages

(a cross-sectional approach) and follow them over the years (a longitudinal approach).

Using the Scientific Method

Ethics

Each academic discipline and professional society involved in the study of human development has a code of ethics.

• Researchers must ensure that participation is voluntary, confidential, and harmless.

• Subjects (participants in research) must give informed consent- they must understand the research procedures and any risks involved.