issues in lifespan development

Question 1

1) nature vs. nurture

Answer 1

is development primarily influenced by biological inheritance = genetics (nature) or environmental influences and experiences (nurture)

well… BOTH interact

Question 2

2) continuity vs. discontinuity

Answer 2

does development involve gradual, cumulative change (like planting a seed = tree = continuity) or sudden, distinct stages (caterpillar = butterfly ; “terrible two’s” = discontinuity

Question 3

3) stability vs. change

Answer 3

is development stable (we become who we are because of our early experiences) or do we develop into someone different from who we were at an earlier point in development

• ex: is a shy child always a shy adult?

CONTROVERSIAL lol - not always!

Question 4

what do most life-span developmentalists recognize while evaluating the developmental issues

Answer 4

extreme positions on the issues are unwise

Question 5

what are the socio-cultural contexts

Answer 5

1) culture
2) ethnicity
3) race
4) gender

Question 6

what is culture (socio-cultural context 1)

Answer 6

behaviour patterns, beliefs, and other products of a group that are passed on

Question 7

what is ethnicity (socio-cultural context 2)

Answer 7

cultural heritage, nationality characteristics, race, religion, and language

Question 8

what is race (socio-cultural context 3)

Answer 8

classification based on biological characteristics

Question 9

what is gender (socio-cultural context 4)

Answer 9

the social and psychological dimensions of being male or female

Question 10

what is the scientific method

Answer 10

1) conceptualize a process or problem to be studied
2) collect data (research information)
3) analyze data
4) draw conclusions

Question 11

what is a theory

Answer 11

an interrelated, coherent set of ideas that explain and predict

Question 12

what is a hypothesis

Answer 12

a specific assumption and prediction that can be tested for accuracy