all Flashcards
Cross-sectional design
Where children of different ages are observed at a single point in time
Longitudinal design
People are tested repeatedly as they grow older
Cohort
People of the same age who grew up in a similar environment
Microgenetic method
Similar to longitudinal design but takes place in a short span of time (high density of observations).
Unlike CS and L design, it captures the process of change itself.
Cohort effect
Where there are changes across generations in the target characteristics of the study.
E.g. Overall height, quality of life and IQ has increased since the last generation.
Time sampling
An observational study that records an individual’s behaviour at frequent intervals
Aim: To see how frequently certain behaviours occur in a certain time span.
Catharsis hypothesis
Claim that watching aggressive behaviour in others reduces your own aggression.
Discontinuous function
Where development takes place in stages.
Monotropy
The view that an infant needs to form an attachment with one significant person. (Bowbly)
Phylogeny
The evolutionary development of a species
Ontology
The personal growth of an individual from conception
Missing heritability
Failure to find any of the genes associated with cognitive abilities
Phenylketonuria (PKU)
Rare genetic mutation that, if left untreated, results in severe mental retardation and learning difficulties
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
A collection of lung disorders
Environmental drift
Changes in developmental functions that result from changing environments
