Chapter 1 Flashcards
Biopsychosocial Intersections
Biological, psychological, and social/environmental forces that combine to impact human development across the lifespan
Lifespan Psychology
Study of human development from conception to death
Development
The process of changing and the changes that occur through the lifespan
Epigenetic View
View of lifespan development that stresses the ongoing interaction between heredity and the environment
Culture
The customs, values, and traditions inherent in one’s environment
Continuity
The lasting quality of experiences; development proceeds steadily and sequentially
Discontinuity
Behaviors that are apparently unrelated to earlier aspects of development
Scientific Method
An approach to investigation that includes empirical research, data collection, and testing
Hypothesis
A prediction that can be tested through research and subsequently supported or rejected
Descriptive Studies
Studies that gather information on subjects without manipulating them in any way
Manipulative Experiments
Experiments in which the researcher attempts to keep all variables (all the factors that can affect a particular outcome) constant except one, which is carefully manipulated
Naturalistic Experiments
Experiments in which the researcher acts solely as an observer and does as little as possible to disturb the environment. “Nature” performs the experiment, and the researcher acts as a recorder of the results.
Time-Variable Designs
A specific amount of time (duration) is allowed for a given study, or there is a specific number of times a measure is used in a given study
One-Time, One-Group Studies
Studies carried out only once with one group of participants
Longitudinal Studies
Studies in which the researcher makes several observations of the same individuals at two or more times in their lives. Examples are determining the long-term effects of learning on behavior; the stability of habits and intelligence; and the factors involved in memory.
