developmental psychology Flashcards
what is developmental psychology?
Slater & Bremner (2011), ‘describes + explain changes which occur over time in the thought, behaviour, reasoning + functioning of a person due to biological, individual + environmental influences”
what is life-span developmental psychology?
Riffin & Lockenhoff (2017), ‘it examines patterns of change and stability in psychological characteristics across life course’
what does developmental psychology look at?
interactions from conception to death, typical vs. atypical, what influences an individuals development
what can have an influence on individuals’ development?
Baltes, Reese and Lipsitt (1980) = biology and environmental situation
what are the types of influences on development?
history graded = cohort effects i.e. socioeconomic status
age graded = chronological age, within a culture i.e. retirement
sociocultural graded = time/place influences
non-normative life events = atypical i.e. win lottery
Sternberg and Okagaki (1989)
“Development involves both continuous and discontinuous elements simultaneously”
Can development occur at any stage during the life span?
Knudsen (2004) - critical/sensitive period
sensitive = effects of experience/learning on the brain are strong during a limited period
critical = sensitive period, irreversible changes in function, vulnerable to deprivation of environmental stimuli/experiences
what is our development due to?
nature vs nurture
nature= biology/genetics, individual differences
nurture= behaviourism, Locke’s tabula rasa
what makes developmental psychology a science?
Use scientific, qualitative/quantitative research methods to conduct experiments
how do psychologists measure developmental change?
longitudinal studies
cross-sectional studies (compare ppl of different ages)
sequential studies (ppl of diff ages at diff points in time)
what are ethics in psychology?
protects ppt from harm
must acquire informed consent
right to withdraw known to ppt
anonymity + confidentiality at all times
Baltes (2003) theory of development over lifespan
growth/change continues throughout life
gains + losses, ups + downs
physical/cognitive abilities change in life
what are some early developmental theories?
freud = genital, age 12+
piaget = formal operations, age 12+
what is freud’s developmental theory?
genital psychosexual stage
age 12+
sexual maturity present
increased libido
what is Piaget’s developmental theory?
formal operations stage
age 12+
egocentric
ability to think abstractly + reason/argue/plan
