Developmental Psychology in Sec B

Question 1

Describe the assumptions of developmental psychology.

Answer 1

• focuses on examining systematic changes which occur throughout lifespan from cradle to grave
• assumes behaviour is an ongoing process and that development occurs mostly during childhood, but people continue to develop during early adulthood - middle age - senior years
• developmental changes result from interaction of nature (e.g. Maturation) and nurture (e.g. Lifetime experiences).

Question 2

Describe developmental psychology in the Nature vs Nurture debate. Link to a study.

Answer 2

• developmental approach takes into account both sides of debate as assumes behaviour is investigated by maturational / genetic factors as well as lifetime experiences

E.g. Bandura took into account pps’ pre-existing levels of aggression (inherited) + their experiences (aggressive vs non-aggressive model) in research, so included natural inherited factors of theirs, as well as their learned behaviour through experiences.

Question 3

Describe developmental psychology in the Reductionism vs Holism debate. Link to a study.

Answer 3

• developmental approach takes into account many factors so can be considered holistic.

E.g. Bandura took into account participants pre-existing levels of aggression (inherited) and their experiences (aggressive vs non-aggressive model) in his research, so as if he studied the whole together.

Question 4

Describe developmental psychology in the Usefulness of Research debate. Link to a study.

Answer 4

• developmental psychology = v useful as adds to our knowledge + has many practical applications

E.g. Bandura’s social learning theory = 9pm watershed, age restrictions on films & Chaney = positive reinforcement to improve health

• however ecological validity may affect usefulness of research

E.g. in Bandura’s study pps may have performed to demand characteristics + in Chaney pps may have responded in a socially desirable way.

Question 5

Describe developmental psychology in the Psychology as a Science debate. Link to a study.

Answer 5

• developmental approach = scientific due to use of lab experiments w/ high levels of standardisation

E.g. Bandura – sequence of events, model’s behaviour, + toys used were same for every pp, however in Chaney, use of questionnaires lessens scientific nature of developmental psychology as they are open to interpretation.

Question 6

Describe developmental psychology in the Ethics debate. Link to a study.

Answer 6

• developmental approach = unethical as often children pps used, who are not old enough to give own consent for participation + so may not understand right to withdraw + may become distressed through experimentation

E.g. Bandura – children may have suffered distress from frustration of being taken away from room of nice toys, or may have been long term harm from learning aggressive behaviour, meaning unethical.

Question 7

State the strengths of the developmental approach.

Answer 7

• most research in this area uses longitudinal design which allows researcher to investigate development of behaviour over time
• is not reductionist as takes into account both sides of nature-nurture debate
• has provided many useful applications to real life, e.g. helping children learn + deal w/ emotional difficulties.

Question 8

State the weaknesses of the developmental approach.

Answer 8

• tends to use children within research + so demand characteristics may occur, reducing validity of explanations
• using children in research raises many ethical issues surrounding informed consent + debriefing
• often uses small, limited samples, + so findings tend to lack generalisability.