AP Psychology Unit 8 Introductory Psychology Developmental Psychology Topic Themes amp Methods Developmental Psychology Developmental Psychology Developmental Psychology The scientific study of the ID: 769208
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AP Psychology: Unit 8 Introductory Psychology:Developmental Psychology Topic : Themes & Methods
Developmental Psychology
Developmental Psychology Developmental PsychologyThe scientific study of the changes that occur in people from conception to death “Womb to tomb”
Part ONE Developmental Psychology:Themes
Developmental : ThemesThree MAJOR themes in developmental…Nature v. NurtureHow do genetic inheritance & experience influence our behavior?Continuity v. StagesIs development a gradual & continuous process or a sequence of separate stages? Stability v. ChangeDo our early personality traits persist through life or do we become different people as we age?
Developmental : ThemesTheme #1: Nature v. NurtureAgree or Disagree?Differences in male and female behavior are more the result of socialization than biology…Individual genetic makeup more than experience explains why some children are strong-willed and other are compliant…Nature rather than nurture shapes whether adults tend to be optimistic or pessimistic about life…
Developmental : ThemesTheme #2: Continuity v. StagesAgree or Disagree?Human development is better thought of as a slow, continuous process rather than as a series of steps…Adult life consists of a series of unique challenges each defining a new stage of life…The child’s understanding of the world unfolds slowly and gradually rather than through discrete stages…
Developmental : ThemesTheme #3: Stability v. ChangeAgree or Disagree?A person who is socially outgoing as a child is also likely to be a socially outgoing adult…People of one age think and act very differently when they arrive at a later age…An adolescent with low self-esteem is also likely to feel less than worthy as an adult…
Part two Developmental Psychology:Methods
Developmental : MethodsCross-Sectional StudiesParticipants of various ages are compared at one point in time to determine age-related differences (SNAPSHOTS)AdvantagesInexpensive Quickly completedLow attrition rateDisadvantagesDifferent age groups are not necessarily alikeDifferences may be attributed to cohort differences as opposed to age differences
Developmental : MethodsLongitudinal StudiesThe same participants are studied at various ages to determine age-related changes (MOVING PICTURES)AdvantagesDetailed information In-depth study of developmental changesEliminates cohort differences DisadvantagesExpensive & time consumingPotential for high attrition rateDifferences over time may be attributed to assessment tools, not necessarily age
Developmental : MethodsCross-Sequential StudiesDifferent participants of various ages are compared at several points in time, to determine both age-related differences and age-related changesCombination of cross-sectional and longitudinal studiesBenefits?
Study AgeStudied In…120-year-old participants1970 240-year-old participants1990 360-year-old participants 2010 Group Age Studied In… 1 20-year-old participants 2010 2 40-year-old participants 2010 3 60-year-old participants 2010 Study Age Studied In… 1 Group ONE : 20-year -old participants Group TWO : 40-year-old participants 2010 2 Group ONE: 25-year-old participantsGroup TWO: 45-year-old participants2015 Longitudinal Cross-Sequential Cross-Sectional
Developmental : MethodsBiographical/Retrospective StudiesA participant’s past is reconstructed through interviews and other research about their life AdvantagesIn-depth & detailed study of one personDisadvantagesPersonal recall may not be accurate Expensive and time consuming