1. Intro and RM Flashcards
What did Plato the ancient Greek philosopher propose?
children are born with innate knowledge: nature
What did Aristotle propose?
all knowledge comes from experience: nurture
Who is the founding father of developmental psych? Why?
Jean Piaget: he began some of the first systematic studies on child development
How did Charles Darwin research inspire scientists?
made scientists believe that studying children may provide insights to human nature
What is developmental psychology?
the study of change and stability over a lifespan
- specifically cognitive, physical, behavioural and social changes
What are the developmental periods?
- prenatal: conception to birth
- infancy: birth to 2 years
- preschool: 2-4 years
- childhood: 5-12 years
- adolescence: 12-18 years
- young adulthood: 18-40 years
- middle adulthood: 40-65 years
- late adulthood: 65years+
What are the 3 types of development?
- ontogenetic: development over an individuals lifetime
- microgenetic: changes that occur over very brief periods of time
- phylogenetic: evolutionary changes
Which ways can development be studied?
- quantitative changes: easily measurable e.g height and weight
- qualitative: change in functions or processes e.g emotional maturity
- stability: development doesn’t always mean change and some processes are more enduring characteristics e.g change
How do nature and nurture affect development?
nature: genetics (biologically determined e.g growth)
nurture: environment e.g parents, socioculture etc
How is the scientific method used?
- observation
- hypothesis
- test hypothesis
- analysis
- report the findings
What are the 3 methods for understanding change?
- cross-sectional studies: children of varying ages are studied at one time
- longitudinal studies: same children are repeatedly tested as they age
- micro genetic studies: extreme longitudinal study, tested repeatedly over a brief period
What are the strengths and weaknesses of cross sectional studies?
+ less time consuming
- can’t look at individual changes
What are the strengths and weaknesses of longitudinal studies?
+ can look at individual change
- intense and costly
- dropouts likely
- change may be due to practice
What are the strengths and weaknesses of micro genetic studies?
+ precise due to high intensity
- intensive therefore small samples
- practice effects
How can cognitive neuroscience techniques be used?
EEG: detects change in electrical activity in the cerebral cortex which underpins cognition such as attention and memory
FMRI: has magnetic fields that detect oxygen differences in the brain
What are some of the challenges when working with children?
- limited language and attention: hard to get them to engage in tasks
- parent interference
- gaining consent
What are some reasons to learn about developmental psychology?
- social policies: creating an education system, understanding how children can testify in eyewitness cases
- healthy lifespan development
- understanding human nature
