Ch. 1 Flashcards
Science of human development
The science that seeks to understand how and why people of all ages and circumstances change or remain the same over time
Scientific method
A way to answer questions using empirical research and data-based conclusions
Hypothesis
A specific prediction that can be tested
Empirical data
Evidence that is based on observation, experience or days; not theoretical
Replication
Repeating a study
Nature
Traits, capacities and limitations that one inherits genetically from parents
Nurture
Environmental influences
Epigenetics
Study of how environmental factors affect genes and genetic expression
Differential susceptibility (differential sensitivity)
The idea that people vary in how sensitive they are to particular experiences
Life-span perspective
An approach to the study of human development that takes into account all phases of life
Critical period
A time when a particular type of developmental growth must happen for normal development to occur
Sensitive period
A time when a certain type of development is most likely but it can still happen at a later time with more difficulty
Ecological-systems approach
Bronfenbrenner’s perspective on human development that considers all the influences from the various contexts of development (family, school, politics)
Cohort
People born within the same historical period
Socioeconomic status
A person’s position in society as determined by income, occupation, education and place of residence
Culture
A system of shared beliefs, norms, behaviors and expectations that persists over time
Social construction
An idea that is built on shared perceptions, not on objective reality
Difference-equals-deficit error
The mistaken belief that a deviation from some norm is necessarily inferior to behavior or characteristics that are more typical
Ethnic group
People whose ancestors were born in the same region and often share a language, culture and religion
Race
A group of people who are regarded by themselves or by others as distinct from other groups in the basis of physical appearance, skin color
Dynamic-systems approach
A view of human development as an ongoing, ever-changing interaction between the physical, cognitive and psychosocial influences
Developmental theory
A group of ideas that interpret 1000s of observations about human growth
Psychoanalytic theory
A theory of human development that holds that irrational, unconscious drives and motives underlie human behavior (Freud)
Behaviorism
Studies observable behavior
Conditioning
Process by which responses become linked to a particular stimuli and learning takes place
Operant conditioning
Action followed by a response (good or bad)
Social learning theory
Influence others have over a person’s behavior
Cognitive theory
Changes in how people think over time
Humanism
Theory that stresses the potential of all humans
Scientific observation
Testing hypothesis by watching and recording participants’ behavior
Experiment
You know what this is
Independent variable
Variable introduced
Dependent variable
Change as a result of independent variable
Survey
Info is collected
Cross-sectional research
Compares groups of people who differ in age but similar in other characteristics
Longitudinal research
Same individuals studied over time
Cross-sequential research
Researchers study groups of people of different ages then follow these groups over the years
Correlation
Relationship between two variables
Quantitative
Numbers
Qualitative
Description
