Chapter 12 - Development over the Lifespan Flashcards
what does developmental psychology do
examine changes in our biological, physical, and behavioural processes as we age
cross-sectional design
comparing people of different ages at the same point in time.
pros of cross-sectional design
Data from many age groups can be collected quickly
cons of cross-sectional design
different age groups grew up in different historical periods. Thus the results may be due to environmental differences, rather than ageing
what is a cohort
an age group
longitudinal design
repeatedly test the same cohort as it grows older
cons of longitudinal design
Time consuming
Sample may shrink as people drop out of study, move, die.
results may be due to developmental experiences unique to the cohort, not due to ageing
sequential design
combines cross-sectional and longitudinal
repeatedly test several age cohorts as they grow older
cons of sequential design
most time-consuming and costly
pros of sequential design
most comprehensive
what are the three types of research designs that psychologists use to investigate age related changes?
cross-sectional design
Longitudinal design
Sequential design
adolescence
period of development and gradual transition between childhood and adulthood
what age range is adolescence
12 to 18 years olds
what age range is young adulthood
20 to 40 years old
what age range is middle adulthood
40 to 60 years old
what age is late adulthood
65 and older
what is the puberty landmark in girls
The first menstrual flow
what is the puberty landmark in boys
sperm production and the first ejaculation
T/F The hormones that steer puberty affect brain function, mood, and behaviour
true
does early maturation result in fewer negative outcomes for boys or for girls?
boys
what happens to the brain in adolescence
overall growth slows, while still establishing new neural connectionsPrunes away at a massive number of other connections, streamlining neural networks
T/F vision, hearing, reaction time, coordination or at peak levels in the mid-20s
true
T/F Active visual field begins to shrink in the 20s
true
T/F during middle adulthood, muscles become weaker and stiffer, base metabolic rate slows down
true