Research Methods For Studying Development

Question 0

Cross-sectional study

Answer 0

Selects and compares groups of participants of different ages over a short period of time.

Question 1

Longitudinal study

Answer 1

A long-term investigation that follows the same group/s of people over an extended period of time, observing any changes in their thoughts, feelings and behaviour that occur at different stages.

Question 2

Cohort sequential method

Answer 2

Combines the cross-sectional and longitudinal methods. Involves two or more groups of participants who overlap in age.

Question 3

Twin studies

Answer 3

Involves researching identical and non-identical twins as participants.

Question 4

Monozygotic twins

Answer 4

A single fertilised egg splits in two in the first couple of days after conception.

Question 5

Dizygotic twins

Answer 5

The female produces two ova which are independently fertilised by two different sperm.

Question 6

Adoption studies

Answer 6

Use children who have been adopted and have no genetic similarity to their biological parents to learn about the influence of heredity and environment on development.

Question 7

Experiments

Answer 7

Used to study the development of psychological charateristics.

Question 8

Perceptual development

Answer 8

The process where an individual becomes capable of organising various sensory stimuli into meaningful information.

Question 9

Affordances

Answer 9

The perceived and actual properties of something in the environment that suggests how it should be used. I.e perception made of a surface by an approaching animal.

Question 10

Differentiation

Answer 10

The ability to selectively perceive differences between things in the environment. I.e cats and rabbits.