Developmental

Question 1

Developmental assumption

Answer 1

One assumption of the developmental approach is that systematic changes occur throughout human life, from cradle to grave. For example, Samuel & Bryant used this concept in their research when devising maturational stages, including sensory, motor, pre-operational, concrete operational and formal operational.

Question 2

What is the following an assumption of?

“Systematic changes occur throughout human life, from cradle to grave”

Answer 2

Developmental approach

Question 3

Give a similarity between two developmental studies.

Answer 3

Bandura and Samuel & Bryant both collect quantitative data

• B: Counted how many imitated, partially imitated and non-imitated aggressive acts were displayed
• S&B: counted how many errors the children made on the conservation tasks out of 12

Question 4

Give a difference between two developmental studies.

Answer 4

Bandura and Freud used different methods

• B: Lab experiment (manipulated IV of exposure to aggressive/non model in controlled environment; matched on pre-existing levels of aggression)
• F: Case study producing qual. data

Question 5

Give a similarity and a difference between two developmental studies.

Answer 5

Bandura and Samuel & Bryant both collect quantitative data

• B: Counted how many imitated, partially imitated and non-imitated aggressive acts were displayed
• S&B: counted how many errors the children made on the conservation tasks out of 12

Bandura and Freud used different methods

• B: Lab experiment (manipulated IV of exposure to aggressive/non model in controlled environment; matched on pre-existing levels of aggression)
• F: Case study producing qual. data

Question 6

Give a similarity between Bandura’s study and the Samuel & Bryant study in the developmental approach.

Answer 6

both collect quantitative data

• B: Counted how many imitated, partially imitated and non-imitated aggressive acts were displayed
• S&B: counted how many errors the children made on the conservation tasks out of 12

Question 7

Give a difference between Bandura’s study and Freud’s study in the developmental approach.

Answer 7

used different methods

• B: Lab experiment (manipulated IV of exposure to aggressive/non model in controlled environment; matched on pre-existing levels of aggression)
• F: Case study producing qual. data

Question 8

Give 2 brief strengths of the developmental approach using an example from a developmental study.

Answer 8

• Behaviour changes over time and develops with age (e.g. S&B show differences in skills of those in concrete op. stage making less errors) thus normal patterns of development can be identified, then allowing identification of abnormalities from an early age
• Lab conditions control confounding variables (e.g. B matched children on pre-existing levels of aggression) isolate variables that do/don’t affect DV and predict development more accurately

Question 9

Explain how identifying patterns of behaviour is a strength of the developmental approach (using P.E.C).

Answer 9

One strength of the developmental approach is that it allows us to see how behaviour develop over time and changes with age. For example, Samuel & Bryant’s study suggests development taking place with their results showing older children (in the concrete operational stage) making less mistakes on the conservations tasks compared with younger children (in the pre-operational stage). Therefore the developmental approach helps us identify patterns of normal development, enabling us to spot any abnormalities in children’s development as they mature from an early age, such as with cognitive or emotional development.

Question 10

Explain how use of lab experiments is a strength of the developmental approach (using P.E.C).

Answer 10

One strength of the developmental approach is that as developmental theories are often tested under controlled lab conditions, confounding variables that could influence development are controlled. For example, Bandura ensured children were matched on their pre-existing levels of aggression so that any differences in aggressive behaviour seen between the children was caused by the independent variable (the role model) rather than their natural pre-disposed levels of aggression. This means we can isolate the variables which are causing development to be affected and better predict development of behaviours with more accuracy.

Question 11

Give two strengths of the developmental approach.

Answer 11

One strength of the developmental approach is that it allows us to see how behaviour develop over time and changes with age. For example, Samuel & Bryant’s study suggests development taking place with their results showing older children (in the concrete operational stage) making less mistakes on the conservations tasks compared with younger children (in the pre-operational stage). Therefore the developmental approach helps us identify patterns of normal development, enabling us to spot any abnormalities in children’s development as they mature from an early age, such as with cognitive or emotional development.

One strength of the developmental approach is that as developmental theories are often tested under controlled lab conditions, confounding variables that could influence development are controlled. For example, Bandura ensured children were matched on their pre-existing levels of aggression so that any differences in aggressive behaviour seen between the children was caused by the independent variable (the role model) rather than their natural pre-disposed levels of aggression. This means we can isolate the variables which are causing development to be affected and better predict development of behaviours with more accuracy.

Question 12

Give 3 brief limitations of the developmental approach using an example from a developmental study.

Answer 12

• Only looks at short-term development bc. uses snapshot studies (e.g. B did not follow up children in his research to test how long raised aggression levels remained changed thus we don’t know if models have long-term effect on behaviour) thus we need longer studies (e.g. F) to see how behaviours develop over time
• Lab conditions lack ecological validity (e.g. B there were no consequences for aggressive behaviour) so real-life behaviours can’t be predicited
• Ethic broken often (e.g. B - aggression deliberately induced and t.f. lack of protection from thinking aggression was bad or has consequences; F did not respect embarrasing dreams of Hans) ends justify means?

Question 13

Explain how using snap-shot studies is a limitation of the developmental approach (using P.E.C).

Answer 13

One weakness of the developmental approach is that much of it’s research only looks at short-time behavioural developments through the use of snap-shot studies. For example, Bandura did not follow up the children in his research to test how long their raised aggression levels remained changed. They were tested and measured on the same day they had been exposed to the model, so we don’t know whether role models have a long-lasting effect on aggression. Developmental psychologists therefore need to conduct more longitudinal research, such as that by Freud, in order to see how behaviours develop over time.

Question 14

Explain how laboratory conditions are a limitation of the developmental approach (using P.E.C).

Answer 14

One weakness of the developmental approach is that as much of its research is conducted under artificial lab conditions, results lack ecological validity. For example, the children in Bandura’s research may not have been as influenced by an aggressive role model in real life as there are consequences to being aggressive to another person, such as being punished for anti-social behaviour. This is a weakness as developmental psychologists cannot accurately predict how behaviour will change in develop in real life if it has been assessed under artificial conditions as other real life variables may affect development.

Question 15

Explain how ethics are a limitation of the developmental approach (using P.E.C).

Answer 15

One weakness of the developmental approach is that ethical guidelines are often broken. In Bandura’s research, aggression was deliberately induced into the children with no consequences, meaning they were not protected from thinking aggression was bad, or even harming other children as a result of being involved in the study. Also, in Freud’s research, studying the development of phobias by getting Little Hans to talk about his dreams and fantasies could have been embarrassing for him, or could have negatively influenced the relationship between him and his father. However one may argue that sometimes ethics need to be broken to understand how behaviours truly develop - ‘the end justifies the means’.

Question 16

Give two limitations of the developmental approach.

Answer 16

One weakness of the developmental approach is that much of it’s research only looks at short-time behavioural developments through the use of snap-shot studies. For example, Bandura did not follow up the children in his research to test how long their raised aggression levels remained changed. They were tested and measured on the same day they had been exposed to the model, so we don’t know whether role models have a long-lasting effect on aggression. Developmental psychologists therefore need to conduct more longitudinal research, such as that by Freud, in order to see how behaviours develop over time.

One weakness of the developmental approach is that as much of its research is conducted under artificial lab conditions, results lack ecological validity. For example, the children in Bandura’s research may not have been as influenced by an aggressive role model in real life as there are consequences to being aggressive to another person, such as being punished for anti-social behaviour. This is a weakness as developmental psychologists cannot accurately predict how behaviour will change in develop in real life if it has been assessed under artificial conditions as other real life variables may affect development.

Question 17

Give three limitations of the developmental approach.

Answer 17

One weakness of the developmental approach is that much of it’s research only looks at short-time behavioural developments through the use of snap-shot studies. For example, Bandura did not follow up the children in his research to test how long their raised aggression levels remained changed. They were tested and measured on the same day they had been exposed to the model, so we don’t know whether role models have a long-lasting effect on aggression. Developmental psychologists therefore need to conduct more longitudinal research, such as that by Freud, in order to see how behaviours develop over time.

One weakness of the developmental approach is that as much of its research is conducted under artificial lab conditions, results lack ecological validity. For example, the children in Bandura’s research may not have been as influenced by an aggressive role model in real life as there are consequences to being aggressive to another person, such as being punished for anti-social behaviour. This is a weakness as developmental psychologists cannot accurately predict how behaviour will change in develop in real life if it has been assessed under artificial conditions as other real life variables may affect development.

One weakness of the developmental approach is that ethical guidelines are often broken. In Bandura’s research, aggression was deliberately induced into the children with no consequences, meaning they were not protected from thinking aggression was bad, or even harming other children as a result of being involved in the study. Also, in Freud’s research, studying the development of phobias by getting Little Hans to talk about his dreams and fantasies could have been embarrassing for him, or could have negatively influenced the relationship between him and his father. However one may argue that sometimes ethics need to be broken to understand how behaviours truly develop - ‘the end justifies the means’.

Question 18

Give two strengths and two limitations of the developmental approach.

Answer 18

One strength of the developmental approach is that it allows us to see how behaviour develop over time and changes with age. For example, Samuel & Bryant’s study suggests development taking place with their results showing older children (in the concrete operational stage) making less mistakes on the conservations tasks compared with younger children (in the pre-operational stage). Therefore the developmental approach helps us identify patterns of normal development, enabling us to spot any abnormalities in children’s development as they mature from an early age, such as with cognitive or emotional development.

One strength of the developmental approach is that as developmental theories are often tested under controlled lab conditions, confounding variables that could influence development are controlled. For example, Bandura ensured children were matched on their pre-existing levels of aggression so that any differences in aggressive behaviour seen between the children was caused by the independent variable (the role model) rather than their natural pre-disposed levels of aggression. This means we can isolate the variables which are causing development to be affected and better predict development of behaviours with more accuracy.

One weakness of the developmental approach is that much of it’s research only looks at short-time behavioural developments through the use of snap-shot studies. For example, Bandura did not follow up the children in his research to test how long their raised aggression levels remained changed. They were tested and measured on the same day they had been exposed to the model, so we don’t know whether role models have a long-lasting effect on aggression. Developmental psychologists therefore need to conduct more longitudinal research, such as that by Freud, in order to see how behaviours develop over time.

One weakness of the developmental approach is that as much of its research is conducted under artificial lab conditions, results lack ecological validity. For example, the children in Bandura’s research may not have been as influenced by an aggressive role model in real life as there are consequences to being aggressive to another person, such as being punished for anti-social behaviour. This is a weakness as developmental psychologists cannot accurately predict how behaviour will change in develop in real life if it has been assessed under artificial conditions as other real life variables may affect development.

Question 19

Discuss strenghts and weaknesses of the developmental approach.

Answer 19

One strength of the developmental approach is that it allows us to see how behaviour develop over time and changes with age. For example, Samuel & Bryant’s study suggests development taking place with their results showing older children (in the concrete operational stage) making less mistakes on the conservations tasks compared with younger children (in the pre-operational stage). Therefore the developmental approach helps us identify patterns of normal development, enabling us to spot any abnormalities in children’s development as they mature from an early age, such as with cognitive or emotional development.

One strength of the developmental approach is that as developmental theories are often tested under controlled lab conditions, confounding variables that could influence development are controlled. For example, Bandura ensured children were matched on their pre-existing levels of aggression so that any differences in aggressive behaviour seen between the children was caused by the independent variable (the role model) rather than their natural pre-disposed levels of aggression. This means we can isolate the variables which are causing development to be affected and better predict development of behaviours with more accuracy.

One weakness of the developmental approach is that much of it’s research only looks at short-time behavioural developments through the use of snap-shot studies. For example, Bandura did not follow up the children in his research to test how long their raised aggression levels remained changed. They were tested and measured on the same day they had been exposed to the model, so we don’t know whether role models have a long-lasting effect on aggression. Developmental psychologists therefore need to conduct more longitudinal research, such as that by Freud, in order to see how behaviours develop over time.

One weakness of the developmental approach is that as much of its research is conducted under artificial lab conditions, results lack ecological validity. For example, the children in Bandura’s research may not have been as influenced by an aggressive role model in real life as there are consequences to being aggressive to another person, such as being punished for anti-social behaviour. This is a weakness as developmental psychologists cannot accurately predict how behaviour will change in develop in real life if it has been assessed under artificial conditions as other real life variables may affect development.

One weakness of the developmental approach is that ethical guidelines are often broken. In Bandura’s research, aggression was deliberately induced into the children with no consequences, meaning they were not protected from thinking aggression was bad, or even harming other children as a result of being involved in the study. Also, in Freud’s research, studying the development of phobias by getting Little Hans to talk about his dreams and fantasies could have been embarrassing for him, or could have negatively influenced the relationship between him and his father. However one may argue that sometimes ethics need to be broken to understand how behaviours truly develop - ‘the end justifies the means’.

Question 20

Describe how the developmental approach could explain aggression.

Answer 20

Aggression can be explained by the social learning theory proposed by Bandura, which states that all behaviours are learned through observing role models. For example, a person might observe a role model behaving in an aggressive way and then see the model be praised for their actions. This causes the person to be vicariously reinforced to think being aggressive is a positive behaviour and leads to them imitating them. If others then praise them for being aggressive, it will lead to an increase in their self-efficacy for this behaviour. Bandura showed aggression developing out of observational learning in his study where children who witnessed an aggressive model imitated them when given the chance, both physically (hitting the bobo doll on the head) and verbally (saying ‘pow’ etc).