1- Methods in Developmental Research Flashcards
What differences does developmental psychology have to consider?
Age of the child
What are the 2 ways accuracy in developmental research is looked at?
Reliability (test-retest, inter observer) and validity (content, external)
What are the 3 developmental research methods?
Observational, experimental, correlational
What are the 4 types of developmental research designs?
Case study, longitudinal, cross-sectional, twin studies
What is a case study?
Examines a single participant in depth
Advantage of case studies
Provide detailed info
2 disadvantages of case studies
Not generalisable
Produce subjective data
What is a longitudinal study?
Measures behaviours in same participant at different ages
Advantage of longitudinal studies
Estimates changes/stability over time and impact of early experiences on later behaviour
Disadvantage of longitudinal studies
Biased sampling and practical effects and attrition
What is a cross-sectional study?
Measures behaviours in different participants at same time point
Advantage of cross-sectional studies
Quick to collect data
Disadvantage of cross-sectional studies
Development is only at group level and there are cohort effects
When are twin studies useful?
In studying nature vs nurture
What are DZ twins?
Regular fraternal twins
What are MZ twins?
Identical twins that have the same DNA as each other
What 4 types of observation are there?
Naturalistic
Structured
Descriptive
Systematic
What does experimentation do?
Aims to show causal relationships between IV and DV, tests hypotheses
Where are experiments conducted?
In lab/naturalistic settings
What does correlational research do?
Describes relationship between one aspect of development and another
How is correlational direction and strength expressed?
As a correlation coefficient
Advantage of correlational research
Relatively simple
Disadvantage of correlational research
Cannot ascertain causality
Research question for Gibson’s virtual cliff experiment
Why do infants look to adults in novel situations?
Method of Gibson’s virtual cliff experiment
4 groups of children were asked to cross a virtual cliff
4 groups in Gibson’s virtual cliff experiment
Saw face plus voice- comfort
Only heard voice- comfort
Talk to adult- non-comfort
No cues- non-comfort
Results of Gibson’s virtual cliff experiment
More exclusions in ‘information only’ compared to ‘comfort’ conditions
Conclusions of Gibson’s virtual cliff experiment
Infants look to adults in novel situations for comfort, not info
What 4 ethical procedures should developmental research comply with?
Non harmful procedures
Informed consent
Anonymity/confidentiality
Measures for unforeseen circumstances
