Developmental Area Flashcards
What are the assumptions of the Developmental Area?
- Change and development is an ongoing process which continues throughout our lifetime.
- Behaviour may be learned (nurture) or may be innate (nature).
- Early experiences affect later development.
- Development may happen in pre-determined stages
What are the key themes within the Developmental Area and name the 2 studies within each theme.
External Influences on children
* Bandura
* Chaney
Morality
* Kohlberg
* Lee
How are Bandura and Chaney different in their Research Methods?
Bandura used a lab experiment whereas Chaney used a field experiment. Bandura used a lab experiment to investigate the transmission of aggression in children from role models. The study was conducted in a highly controlled, artificial setting at Stanford University. This allowed Bandura to control extraneous variables that could confound the results. However, Chaney used a field experiment in order to investigate the effect of operant conditioning (using the Funhaler as positive reinforcement) on children’s adherence to medicine. The experiment was conducted in the participants’ natural environment, their homes. This allowed researchers to investigate how children adhere to medicine in their homes, collecting ecologically valid results.
How are Bandura and Chaney similar in their Ethics?
Both studies were mostly ethical as they gained informed consent from the parents of the children. However, as both studies used children, Bandura using children aged 3-5 from Stanford University Nursery school, and Chaney using 32 asthmatic children aged 1-6 from Australia, the studies may not be ethical as children can not give valid informed consent.
How are Bandura and Chaney similar in their Practical Applications?
Both studies have practical applications. Bandura found that children who observe an aggressive role model are more likely to imitate aggressive behaviour. This could be used in education and parenting, as teachers and parents could ensure that they are positive role models. Chaney found that using the Funhaler as positive reinforcement was effective in increasing children’s adherence to medication. This could be useful as it shows that operant conditioning can be used in a medical setting to make children more likely to take medication.
How are Bandura and Chaney similar in their Data Collected?
Both studies mainly collected quantitative data. In Bandura’s study, quantitative data was collected as the frequency of aggressive behaviours shown by the children. In Chaney’s study, quantitative data was collected as the percentage of children who used the inhaler the previous day, comparing the Funhaler with the normal inhaler the children used before the study. In both studies, the quantitative data would be easy to analyse, and therefore they could draw valid conclusions about the external influences on children.
How are Bandura and Chaney different in their Sample?
Bandura used a large sample of 72 children (36 boys and 36 girls) aged 3–6 years, recruited through opportunity sampling from a nursery in the USA. In contrast, Chaney used a smaller sample of 32 children (22 boys and 10 girls) aged 1.5–6 years, selected randomly from a medical population in Perth, Australia. Bandura’s sample was larger, meaning it may be more likely to be representative. However, Chaney studied a larger age range, and the children were recruited from a larger area, so their findings may have higher population validity.
To what extent does the contemporary study change our understanding of the key theme of external influences on children?
Bandura et al. showed how children learn through imitation and through social learning by using a model to investigate whether children would imitate aggressive or non-aggressive behaviours. Chaney furthered this by showing how children learn through positive reinforcement, by using a Funhaler so children would be rewarded when medicating themselves. This adds to our understanding of how external influences actually change a child’s behaviour, as we can see how both role models and operant conditioning can influence their behaviour.
How does external influences on children link to Individual Diversity?
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How does external influences on children link to Social Diversity?
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How does external influences on children link to Cultural Diversity?
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How are Kohlberg and Lee similar in their Research Methods?
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How are Kohlberg and Lee similar in their Ethics?
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How are Kohlberg and Lee similar in their Practical Applications?
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How are Kohlberg and Lee different in their Data Collected?
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How are Kohlberg and Lee different in their Sample?
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To what extent does the contemporary study change our understanding of the key theme of morality?
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How does Morality link to Individual Diversity?
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How does Morality link to Social Diversity?
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How does Morality link to Cultural Diversity?
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What is the background of Bandura?
Bandura and his colleagues were interested in seeing how children can learn behaviours by copying the behaviour of those around them. They were also interested in the role that gender plays in this, and whether children are more likely to imitate behaviour from a same-sex role model. The study tests the model of Social Learning Theory.
What is the aim of Bandura?
Bandura aimed to investigate whether children would imitate aggressive behaviours observed from a role model. Bandura also aimed to see if gender of the child and role model impacted whether or not the aggressive behaviour would be imitated.
