Chapter 1

Question 1

What is development?

Answer 1

Systematic changes in the individual that occur between the moment of conception and death

Question 2

What are the goals of developmental psychologists?

Answer 2

to describe development across the lifespan
to explain the changes that occur during the lifespan
to optimize/improve development

Question 3

What is the nature of development? What do we know about development?

Answer 3

nature is the influence of the genes that people inherit.

development is multidirectional, multicontextual, multicultural, multidisciplinary, and plastic

Question 4

Explain multidirectional

Answer 4

Change occurs in every direction, not always in a straight line. gains and losses, predictable growth, and unexpected transformations are evident

Question 5

Explain multicontextual

Answer 5

human lives are embedded in many contexts, including historical conditions, economic constraints, and family patterns

Question 6

Explain multicultural

Answer 6

many cultures, not just nations but also within them, affect how people develope

Question 7

Explain multidisciplinary

Answer 7

scientists hesitate to apply general conclusions about human life until they are substanted by several disciplines, each with specialization
Leads to better treatment
Broadens and deepens the perspective of every scientist

Question 8

Explain plasticity

Answer 8

every individual, and every trait within each individual, can be altered at any point in the life span. change is ongoing although it is neither random nor easy
Can be modeled, yet maintain durability of identity

Question 9

Bronfenbrenner’s levels and contexts

Answer 9

levels
microsystems- each persons immediate surroundings
exosystems- local institutions (church and school)
macrosystems- larger social setting
chronosystem- time (historical context)
mesosystem- connection among other systems
Contexts
historical context- cohort: group of people who share historical events because they were born at the same time
socioeconomic context- Social class is determined by income, wealth, occupation, education, and living place

Question 10

Steps in the scientific method

Answer 10

Step 1- Curiosity
Step 2- Hypothesis
Step 3- Test
Step 4- Analyze data and draw conclusions
Step 5- Report results
Step 6- Replication

Question 11

Method of collecting data

Answer 11

observation- record behavior systematically and objectively
experiment- establishes what causes what
survey- quick and direct but not accurate
case study- interview

Question 12

Types of research designs

Answer 12

correlational- association
experimental- he researchers tries to learn the cause and effect relationship btwn. Two variables; typically impose a particular treatment w/ volunteers and see whether or not it is successful
cross-sectional- pro: quickest and least expensive. con: Age discrimination
longitudinal- pro: traces development over many years. Cons: participants may withdraw, participants become knowledgable about the study and less valid, historical context changes
cross-sequential- pro: disentengle the effects of age from the effects of history. Con: difficult

Question 13

cross-sectional

Answer 13

collect data once from different ages in the same day. compare groups. any differences are the result of age

Question 14

longitudinal

Answer 14

collect data 5 times, at 4 year intervals. any differences are the result of time

Question 15

cross-sequential

Answer 15

collect data 5 times, adding a new group each time. first compare same age, different times. then compare same group as they got older. then same people as they grow older

Question 16

Correlation

Answer 16

exists between 2 variables if one is more or less likely to occur when the other does

Question 17

Cautions and challenges from Science

Answer 17

misinterpreting correlation: confusing correlation with causation
depending too heavily on numbers
ignoring ethics: research must show 
1- respect dignity of person, 
2- responsible caring, 
3-integrity in relationships
4- responsibility to society