Goals, Theories and Methods Flashcards
Goals of Developmental Science
Describe, Explain, Apply
Basic Developmental Science
focuses on description and explanation of of basic learning and developmental processes
Applied Developmental Science
focuses on the application of scientific principles and knowledge to real-life problems
Quantitative Change
Gradual changes over time in the amount, frequency, or degree of children’s behaviors (coral reef fish)
Qualitative Change
Progression through a sequence of distinct stages in children’s thinking and acting (tadpoles)
What is a way in which child development is quantitative?
children gradually acquiring new words
What is a way in which child development is qualitative?
transition from crawling to walking
Individual Differences
the variability among children in various aspects of development
Developmental Onset
Approximate age when specific skills emerge
Rate of Change
Course of change over time, including how fast children progress in their skills
The Form of Skills
refers to what behavior looks like in children with diverging experiences
Stability
consistency in the rank ordering of children on a specific behavior or skill
Plasticity
The capacity to adapt and change in response to changing environments and experiences
Nature
Influences on learning and development arising from a child’s genetic inheritance and other biological factors
Nurture
Influences on learning and development that arise from life experiences and environmental contexts
