Chapter 2 Flashcards
What are the four issues of human development that theorists take different stances on?
1) Nature vs. Nurture
2) Continuous vs. Discontinuous
3) Activity vs. Passivity
4) Universality vs. Context specific
Describe the theoretical differences in nature vs. nurture
Is development due to nature (genetics, biological maturation) or nurture (environmental, social and learning influences)
What does ‘passivity’ refer to
Development is shaped by forces beyond their control
What does ‘activity’ in development refer to
Development is within an individuals control
What does ‘continuous’ in development refer to
Changes are gradual and quantitative in nature
What does ‘discontinuous’ in development refer to
Changes occur in stages and are qualitative in nature (the individual is fundamentally different)
What are examples of continuous changes?
Gaining weight, getting more wrinkles and expanding vocabulary
What are examples of disconitnuous changes?
A person going from being a non-verbal infant to a speaking toddler
What are ‘changes in kind’
Qualitative changes, the person is different, typical of discontinuous development
What are the four characteristics of discontinuous changes?
1) Qualitative
2) In Kind
3) Stages of development
4) Clear steps of change
What are the three characteristics of continuous change?
1) Quantitative
2) In degree
3) no significant markers of change
What does ‘universality’ refer to in development?
Changes are common to all humans
What does ‘context specific’ refer to in development?
Development is context specific due to environment, culture and community
