Lecture 1

Question 1

What does Developmental Psychology study?

Answer 1

How we change over time from conception to death. Child Development is from conception to puberty. Study everything, physical, cognitive, social.

Question 2

What are the goals of developmental psychology?

Answer 2

Describe – how development occurs, what happens Explain – why does this occur

Question 3

Why study children?

Answer 3

• Rapid development - long term influences (ex. mom smokes while pregnant) - Real world application - Evolutionarily we love babies :)

Question 4

What are the three overarching themes?

Answer 4

• Directionality of Development - Continuity vs Discontinuity - Nature vs Nurture

Question 5

Describe directionality of development:

Answer 5

Sometimes in order to function better a system must become less complex. An example of this is the decrease in phonemes we can hear that occurs as we age.

Question 6

Describe continuity vs discontinuity:

Answer 6

The continuity perspective: flowing development The discontinuity perspective: development in stage How related is the person to how they were before.

Question 7

Describe Nature vs Nurture:

Answer 7

Nature: generally goes with discontinuity. We are our biology Nurture: generally continuity. We are taught to be the person we become, experiences are important *No longer a debate both are important*

Question 8

Name Methods of Data collection

Answer 8

1) case studies 2) Observational research 3) Correlational research 4) Experimental research

Question 9

Which of the methods of data collection allow for causal statements?

Answer 9

True Lab Experimental research with random assignment

Question 10

How do case studies work?

Answer 10

Done most often if the situation is rare. One or two cases are followed very closely and reported on. The individual and family are interviewed regularly.

Question 11

What is the problem with case studies? Use John Moohey’s Circumcision accident study as an example.

Answer 11

Biased results are possible with case studies. John Moohey studied a young child born male but raised female. John Moohey was biased that gener was cultural and all of his interviews with the individual indicated she was a happy female however they eventually committed suicide.

Question 12

Give an example of observational research:

Answer 12

Watching children at a playground and note what they do. etc. ..

Question 13

Examples of Correlational research are:

Answer 13

-Survey Studies (structured interviews, parent-teacher interviews, Peer reports)

Question 14

What is retrospective data?

Answer 14

Surveying and adult to find out what they were like as a kid

Question 15

What is a problem with retrospective data?

Answer 15

Results are often coloured by memory biases

Question 16

What is a solution to retrospective data

Answer 16

Follow kids from a young age and see what they are like in adulthood.

Question 17

Why would we do a quasi experiment?

Answer 17

Random assignment is not possible due to participants already grouped by age, financial situation etc. Cannot make causal statment in quasi experiments

Question 18

Name three methods of over coming age effects:

Answer 18

1) Cross Sectional Design 2) Longitudinal Design 3) Sequential Design

Question 19

Describe how a cross section design works:

Answer 19

Test different ages at the same time

Question 20

What are the Pros and Cons of a cross sectional design:

Answer 20

Pros: Quick, cheap, demonstrates age differences Cons: Cohort effect, says nothing about how development occurs (continuous vs discontinuous)

Question 21

What is the cohort effect?

Answer 21

When a group of people share the same historical experiences it is difficult to determine why people of different ages have different abilities. Could be age or could be shared experience.

Question 22

What is the Longitudinal Design?

Answer 22

Follow the same participants as they age over a period of years.

Question 23

What are the Pros and Cons of a longitudinal Design?

Answer 23

Pros: Tell us about the developmental course, reveal links between experiences and later outcomes, eliminates some cohort effects Cons: Cohort still a problem, Cross-generational problem, cost, time, practice effects, selective attrition can be a problem

Question 24

What is the cross generational problem:

Answer 24

Does the study still apply today. If you study a 10yo developing to 20yo in the 30s would the study still apply in the 90s

Question 25

What is selective attrition:

Answer 25

The people dropping out of the study may be making it look like something is happening when really it isn’t

Question 26

What is a sequential design?

Answer 26

Combination of cross sectional and longitudinal

Question 27

What is a microgenetic design?

Answer 27

Intense daily observation when the change is expected to occur Pros: Watch development as it occurs Cons: Why does development occur, practice effects

Question 28

Ethically what is required in research with children?

Answer 28

-Describe research clearly without deception to parents -Annonymous -Must receive consent from parents It is difficult to detraumatize children, must be very careful