Developmental Area

Question 1

What are the basic assumptions of the developmental area?

Answer 1

• studies the change in our mind and behaviour over our lifetime as a result of maturation
• development occurs as a consequence of the interaction between innate behaviours and the environment (i.e. a balance of nature and nurture)
• this is referred to as ontogenesis

Question 2

What are the strengths of the developmental area?

Answer 2

• adds to the nature vs nurture debate
• many studies are longitudinal designs, enabling researchers to gain an understanding of how children change over time without the influence of participant variables
• allows us to understand what is necessary for children to have good physical and psychological wellbeing and therefore avoid things that may have a negative impact and create interventions

Question 3

What are the weaknesses of the developmental area?

Answer 3

• there are numerous ethical issues involved with the study of children
• many practical problems involved in the study of children - very vulnerable to demand characteristics and cannot always explain how they feel clearly
• findings of research often “time bound” as the way children are treated during their early years changes
• the samples are often unrepresentative