1 - Introduction to Child Development

Question 1

What are 2 theories about how cognitive abilities develop?

Answer 1

Continuous and discontinuous

Question 2

What is continuous theory?

Answer 2

Children constantly develop cognitive abilities in a linear fashion (i.e. information processing theory)

Question 3

What is discontinuous theory?

Answer 3

Children have “stages” of cognitive development that develop in a stepped fashion (i.e. Piaget)

Question 4

What is nativism?

Answer 4

Genes = person, entirely nature. Used in eugenics movements

Question 5

What is empiricism?

Answer 5

Environment = person, behaviourist principles

Question 6

Active child theory

Answer 6

Children influence their own development (i.e. choosing to do things)

Question 7

Parent raises concern that their 2-year-old is slower at learning speech than their peers, psychologist asks if the parents were talkative babies. Which approach is the psychologist using?

Answer 7

Nature vs nurture (specifically nature)

Question 8

Naturalistic observation

Answer 8

Observation in child’s natural environment

Question 9

Structured observation

Answer 9

Lab setting

Question 10

Experiment definition

Answer 10

Assess relationship between 2+ variables by manipulating one variable and measuring impact on other variable

Question 11

Pros of observation

Answer 11

Provide insight into behaviour in natural context

Question 12

Cons of observation

Answer 12

May behave differently if they know they’re being watched

Question 13

Pros of experiments

Answer 13

Allows for evaluation of specific variables

Question 14

Con of experiments

Answer 14

May not be applicable to world

Question 15

3 types of dependent variables (for children)

Answer 15

• Sampling behaviour
• Self-report
• Physiological measures

Question 16

What is a correlational study?

Answer 16

Evaluate relations between 2+ variables that exist NATURALLY

Question 17

Correlational coefficient

Answer 17

r, represents direction and strength of a relation between 2 variables (i.e. +1 = strong positive, 0 = no relation)

Question 18

Issues with correlations

Answer 18

Confounding (third) variable creating the relationship

Question 19

Longitudinal design

Answer 19

Measure same individual at different ages

Question 20

Cross-sectional design

Answer 20

Measure different individuals all at a certain age

Question 21

Pros of longitudinal

Answer 21

Same individuals –> variables unique to that individual remains consistent across measurements

Question 22

Longitudinal disadvantages

Answer 22

Practice effect, selective attrition, cohort effect

Question 23

Advantages of cross-sectional

Answer 23

Efficient use of time/money/ large sample cancels out individual differences

Question 24

Disadvantages of cross-sectional

Answer 24

Cohort effect, Lack of continuity in sample

Question 25

Longitudinal-sequential design

Answer 25

Different groups of kids are tested longitudinally at different ages

Question 26

Advantage to Longitudinal-sequential design

Answer 26

Less prone to selective attrition and cohort effects