Psy 235 custom slide show

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Chapter 1: The Beginnings

Alt. text: White background with green borders on top and bottom. Photograph of an infant yawning while laying in bed.

“The science of human development seeks to understand how and why people– all kinds of people, everywhere, of every age– change or remain the same over time.”

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Defining Development

First Element of Developmental Science:

Developmental study is empirical which means based on observations…– theories– data– analysis – critical thinking– sound methodology

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Understanding How and Why

Tools of the scientific method: – begins with curiosity

– develop a hypothesis

– test the hypothesis

– draw conclusions

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The scientific method is a way to answer questions that requires empirical research and data-based conclusions.

Including All Kinds of PeopleSecond element in Developmental Science:

– studying all kinds of people• young and old• rich and poor• every ethnicity, background• gender and sexual orientation

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Alt. text: Photo of 12 young adults of different ethnicities huddled together for a group picture

The Nature-Nurture Controversy

– Nature refers to the influence of genes that people inherit.

– Nurture refers to environmental influences that affect development after an individual is conceived. • Other phrases: heredity versus

environment; maturation versus learning

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…the basic question…

“How much of any characteristic, behavior, or pattern of development is the result of genes and how much is the result of experience?”

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Observing Changes over TimeThird Element in Developmental

Science: Are individuals changing or remaining the

same over time?• transformations• consistencies of human life

– beginning to end– understanding each segment of life

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