PSY1004 WEEK 1 LO: describe the ways in which development can be studied Flashcards
what are cross-sectional designs when studying development
different ages tested once
what are advantages of cross-sectional designs
least time consuming, give quick estimates of age-related change
what are weaknesses of cross-sectional designs
only describe age differences, lack continuity or personality characteristics
what are longitudinal designs when studying developmental psychology
individuals tested repeatedly throughout different ages, allows within-person changes and between-person differences to be accounted for
what are advantages of longitudinal designs
group average usually plotted however we can also look at individual data meaning we can see if gradual changes with age, or sudden performance shifts indicating a move through developmental stage
what are weaknesses of longitudinal designs
high cost, time-consuming, drop outs, ppt attrition (leaving study due to difficulty or moving areas), accompanied by selective survivorship can produce population bias, giving misleading results
what are microgenetic methods when researching development
examines change as it occurs, involving individual children being tested repeatedly over a short period of time
what are advantages of microgenetic methods
high density of observations provides detailed info over period of transition
what are applications for microgenetic methods
memory, analogical reasoning, locomotion
what are weaknesses of microgenetic methods
design problem of cohort effects - changes across generations in characteristic (eg heigh) or social attitude change such as political
what are the 3 types of development to be studied
physical (body, brain, senses, motor skills)
cognitive (learning, memory, language, reasoning)
psychosocial (personality, emotions, social relationships)
