Developmental Psychology Flashcards
Naturalistic observation
less controlled observation of children in a natural environment with the experimenter remaining unobserved
Structured observation
anormal environment (e.g. play lab, doctor’s office), artificial, child given task to do/ structured activity
Flexible clinical interview
Flexible, targeted, lots of information from child. Comparisons difficult
Structured Interview
Comparisons, efficiency due to standard prompts
less depth/specificity
Carer/Teacher/Questionnaires
efficient, targeted, multiple perspectives, makes comparisons easy. limited depth and not exhaustive
Child Questionnaires
proximity to child, self-advocacy. lack of insight or self-awareness from younger children
Standardised Assessments
Without machines, cognitive and intelligence test. standardised level for everyone
Psychophysiological Testing
Map brain activity, provides focused and proximal data. Consent can be challenging due to unwelcoming environment
Clinical database analysis
cheap/power, historical data. unknown rigour, control and completeness of data
case study analysis
rich and multidimensional information. Non-generalisable, and potentially biased
ethnography analysis
Study of community and cultural groups
Internal validity
Ability to draw conclusions about the impact of the IV on the group being studied
External validity
our ability to make inferences from the sample to the population
Piaget’s Theory
- Sensorimotor (Birth - 2 years)
- Preoperational (2 - 7 years)
- Concrete Operational (6-12 years)
- Formal operational (11 + years)
Assimilation
Incorporating into an existing schema
Accomodation
Modification of a prior schema
Zone of proximal development
Modelling and scaffolding to accomodate learning
Information Processing Theory
cognitive development as a general, continuous process of maturation through internal, self-generated change
number sense
ability to understand that 5 = five = I I I I I
Executive function
Ability to represent a problem and come up with a problem solving strategy and monitor and adapt said strategy
encompasses working memory, inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility
Higher and lower cognitive processes that control behaviour
Case’s theory: The mind’s structure
Sensorimotor structures: sensory input, physical actions, cause-effect
Interrelational structures: internal representations (mental representation - word, images)
Dimensional structures: simple transformations of internal representations
vectorial structures: complex transformation of representations
Sensorimotor structures (case’s theory)
sensory input, physical actions, cause-effect
Interrelational structures (case’s theory)
internal representations (mental representation - word, images)
Simple relationships and Symbolic thinking
Dimensional structures (case’s theory)
simple transformations of internal representations
Multidimensional reasoning, quantitative logic (conservation)
vectorial structures (case’s theory)
complex transformation of representations
Abstract and systematic reasoning, future projections
Central conceptual structures
mental frameworks used to organise information:
numerical, social, spatial
Horizontal Decalage
a problem with piagets theory
many understandings/abilities appear in specific areas at different times rather than being mastered all at once. different insights have different levels of complexity and therefore difference processing demands
Core EF functions according to Miyake and Friedman
Inhibition (self-control, impulsivity, prepotent responses)
Updating/Working memory (monitoring/updating WM)
Shifting/Switching (cognitive flexibility)
Morality
A system of principles that guide behaviour (ours and how we perceive others)