Chpt 1 (The Science of Human Development) Flashcards
(1) Understanding How and Why, (2) The Life-Span Perspective, (3) Theories of Human Development, (4) Doing Science, (5) Cautions and Challenges from Science
Classical Conditioning
Learning occurs through association.
Cognitive Theory
A theory of human development that focuses on how people think. According to the theory, our thoughts shape our attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors.
Cohort
People born within the same historical period who therefore move through life together, experiencing the same events, new technologies, and cultural shifts at the same ages.
Critical Period
Time when a particular development must occur. If not (such as when a toxin prevents growth), then it cannot develop later.
Cross-Sectional Research
A research design that compares people who differ in age but not in other important characteristics.
Cross-Sequential Research
A hybrid research design that includes cross-sectional and longitudinal research.
Culture
A system of shared beliefs, norms, behaviors, and expectations that persist over time and prescribe social behavior and assumptions.
Dependent Variable
In an experiment, the variable that may change as a result of whatever new condition the researcher adds (independent variable).
Difference-equals-deficit error
The mistaken belief that a deviation from some norm is necessarily inferior.
Differential Susceptibility
The idea that people vary in how sensitive (for better or worse) they are to particular experiences, either b/c of their genes or b/c of their past experiences. (Also called differential sensitivity)
Dynamic-Systems Approach
A view of human development as an ongoing, ever-changing interaction between the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial influences.
Ecological-Systems Approach
A perspective on human development that considers all of the influences from the various contexts of development. (Bioecological theory)
Ethnic Group
People’s whose ancestors were born in the same region. Usually they share a language, culture, and/or religion.
Evolutionary Theory
When used in human development, the idea that many current human emotions and impulses are a legacy from thousands of years ago.
Experiment
A research method in which the researcher adds one variable (independent) and then observes the effect on another variable (dependent) to learn if the independent variable causes change in the dependent variable.
Hypothesis
A specific prediction that can be tested, and proven or disproved.
Independent Variable
In an experiment, the variable that is added by the researcher to see if it affects the dependent variable.
Intersectionality
The idea that the various identities need to be combined. This is especially important in determining if discrimination occurs.
Life-Span Perspective
An approach to the study of human development that includes all phases, from birth to death.
Longitudinal Research
A research design that follows the same individual over time.
Operant Conditioning
The learning process that reinforces or punishes a behavior.
Plasticity
The idea that abilities, personality, and other human characteristics are moldable, and this can change.
Psychoanalytic Theory
A theory of human development that contends that irrational, unconscious drives and motives underlie human behavior. (Freud)
Qualitative Research
Research that considers individual qualities instead of quantities (numbers).
Quantitative Research
Research that provides data expressed with numbers, such as ranks or scales.
Race
The concept that some people are distinct from others because of physical appearance (typically skin color). Social scientists think race is a misleading idea, although race can be a powerful sociological idea, not based in biology.
Replication
Repeating a study, usually using different participants, perhaps of another age, SES, or culture.
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.
Behaviorism
A theory of human development that studies observable actions. Behaviorism is also called ‘learning theory’ b/c it describes how people learn to do what they do. Behavioralists emphasize nurture, social context, and culture.
Scientific Observation
Watching and recording participants’ behavior in a systematic and objective manner- in a natural setting; in a lab, or in searches of archival data.
Sensitive Period
A time when a particular developmental growth is most likely to occur, although it may still happen later.
Social Construction
An idea that is built on shared perceptions, not on objective reality; A concept created/constructed by a society.
Social Learning Theory
A theory that emphasizes the influence of other people. Even without reinforcement, people learn via role models (Also called observational learning).
Socioeconomical Status (SES)
A person’s position in society as determined by income, occupation, education, and place of residence.
Survey
A research method in which information is collected from a large number of people by interviews, written questionaries, etc.
Nature
In development, nature refers to genes. Thus, traits, capacities, and limitations inherited at conception are nature.
Nurture
In development, nurture includes all environmental influences that occur after conception, from the mother’s nutrition while pregnant to the culture of the nation.
Freud
Developed Psychoanalytic Theory
Psychosexual stages
Erikson
Psychodynamic Theory
Psychosocial (including Trust vs Mistrust and Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt)
Ethics in Research
Most colleges and hospitals have an Institutional Review Board (IRB), a group who requires research to follow guidelines set by the federal government.
