Theories of Development

Question 1

Life-span perspective: Lifelong

Answer 1

early adulthood is not the endpoint of development

Question 2

Life-span perspective: Multidimentional

Answer 2

No matter what your age might be, your body, mind, emotions, and relationships are changing and affecting each other

Question 3

Life-span perspective: Multiderectional

Answer 3

Throughout life, some dimensions or components of a dimension expand and others shrink. i.e. language learning ability

Question 4

Life-span perspective: Plastic

Answer 4

the capacity for change

Question 5

Life-span perspective: Multidisciplinary

Answer 5

Psychologists, sociologists, anthropologists, neuroscientists, and medical researchers all share an interest in unlocking the mysteries of development through the life span

Question 6

Life-span perspective: Contextual

Answer 6

All development occurs within a context, or setting. i.e. family, school, church, etc.

Question 7

describe the nature-nurture issue

Answer 7

the extent to which development is influenced by nature and by nurture

Question 8

Define nature and give an example.

Answer 8

an organism’s biological inheritance. Having developmental characteristics of a boy because you have an XY chromosomes

Question 9

Define nurture and give and example.

Answer 9

environmental experiences. Growing up in low versus high socioeconomic environment.

Question 10

Define continuity and give an example.

Answer 10

development involves gradual, cumulative change. Acorn becomes an Oak tree

Question 11

Define discontinuity and give an example.

Answer 11

distinct stages. Caterpillar becomes a butterfly

Question 12

stability-change issue

Answer 12

Debate about whether we become older renditions of our early experience (stability) or whether we develop into someone different from who we were at an earlier point in development (change).

Question 13

stability-change issue

Answer 13

Debate about whether we become older renditions of our early experience (stability) or whether we develop into someone different from who we were at an earlier point in development (change).

Question 14

continuity-discontinuity issue

Answer 14

Debate about the extent to which development involves gradual, cumulative change (continuity) or distinct stages (discontinuity).

Question 15

continuity-discontinuity issue

Answer 15

Debate about the extent to which development involves gradual, cumulative change (continuity) or distinct stages (discontinuity).

Question 16

Freud’s theory

Answer 16

Psychoanalytic and Psychosocial Theory: Freud believed in a psychosexual development theory that focused on pleasure and sexual impulses. A person had to resolve conflicts in each stage to develop normally.

Question 17

Erikson’s theory

Answer 17

Psychoanalytic and Psychosocial Theory: Erikson theorized that there are 8 psychosocial development stages that a person goes through, and that personality is a combination of early and late experiences a person has. A person must also resolve a turning point in each stage to progress.

Question 18

Piaget’s theory

Answer 18

Cognitive Theory: Piaget theorized about 4 cognitive development stages one develops through during which a person learns to organize new information and adapt to what has been learned.

Question 19

Vygotsky’s theory

Answer 19

Cognitive Theory: Vygotsky’s theory was that cognitive development was a result of social interactions. The way a child is taught within their culture leads to the adaptations they make to fit in that culture.

Question 20

Information processing theory

Answer 20

Cognitive Theory: This theory believes that as people age they develop higher capacity to process more complex information. Thus development is a flow not in stages.

Question 21

Operant conditioning theory

Answer 21

Behavioral and Social Cognitive Theory: They rewards or punishments for early life actions shapes the behavior through development.

Question 22

Bandura’s social cognitive model as a theory

Answer 22

Behavioral and Social Cognitive Theory: This model shows that behavior, environment, and cognition all play a role in development.

Question 23

Ecological theory

Answer 23

Ecological Theory: This theory focuses on environmental factors that guide development.

Question 24

Ethology theory

Answer 24

Ecological Theory: This is the belief that behavior is based on our biology.

Question 25

What age does Erikson’s psychosocial stage of (Trust vs. Mistrust) occur? Explain this stage.

Answer 25

Trust vs. Mistrust occurs during infancy. Children will generally grow up with trust for the world if their infant needs were met consistently and in a reliable manner. If they didn’t receive this they tend to distrust the world around them to provide for them.

Question 26

What age does Erikson’s psychosocial stage of (Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt) occur? Explain this stage.

Answer 26

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt occurs during the toddler years. This stage is characterized by children developing a sense of autonomy when parents allow children to do things they are capable of doing on their own. If parents do too much for a child, or shame them for mistakes it creates self doubt in a child.

Question 27

What age does Erikson’s psychosocial stage of (Initiative vs. Guilt) occur? Explain this stage.

Answer 27

Initiative vs. Guilt occurs during the pre-k years. Initiative is encouraged as children are given freedom to explore, experiment, and have their questions answered. Guilt develops and children are restricted, and their initiative or questions a not approved of.

Question 28

What age does Erikson’s psychosocial stage of (Industry vs. Inferiority) occur? Explain this stage.

Answer 28

Industry vs. Inferiority occurs during elementary school years. Children are now at a stage where they recognize that if the can create something worthwhile they are recognized for it. i.e good behavior, grades, projects. If their efforts are not praised, even the best efforts to try, they can develop a sense that they are inferior to others.

Question 29

What age does Erikson’s psychosocial stage of (Identity vs. Role Confusion) occur? Explain this stage.

Answer 29

Identity vs. Role Confusion occurs during adolescents. The purpose of this stage is for adolescents to develop the skills and roles needed to take their place in adult society. If they don’t, they risk role confusion which happens by not having a sense of what behavior causes favorable reactions in society.

Question 30

What age does Erikson’s psychosocial stage of (Intimacy vs. Isolation) occur? Explain this stage.

Answer 30

Intimacy vs. isolation occurs during young adulthood. This stage is characterized by YA’s needing to develop close and committed relationships that they need to make significant sacrifices over. If they don’t they will develop a sense of isolation.

Question 31

What age does Erikson’s psychosocial stage of (Generativity vs. Stagnation) occur? Explain this stage.

Answer 31

Generativity vs. Stagnation occurs in adults. Generativity refers to adults willingness to establish and guide the next generation. If they choose not do to so it results in stagnation and self-absorption.

Question 32

What age does Erikson’s psychosocial stage of (Integrity vs. Despair) occur? Explain this stage.

Answer 32

Integrity vs. Despair occurs with the elderly. Integrity is the sense that you lived your life, lived it well, and it must come to an inevitable end. Despair occurs as elderly persons feel time is short and they don’t have time to go back and make changes that would have lead to a better existence.

Question 33

What age group develops during Piaget’s cognitive theory stage of sensorimotor?

Answer 33

the sensorimotor stage occurs between the ages of birth and 2 years and if defined by gaining cognition through stimuli and physical action.

Question 34

What age group develops during Piaget’s cognitive theory stage of preoperational?

Answer 34

the preoperational stage occurs between the ages of 2 and 7 years of age and it is defined as beginning to represent their world symbolically not just through action.

Question 35

What age group develops during Piaget’s cognitive theory stage of concrete operational?

Answer 35

The concrete operational stage occurs between the ages of 7 and 11 years old and is defined by a child being able to reason and sort out objects and information.

Question 36

What age group develops during Piaget’s cognitive theory stage of formal operational?

Answer 36

The formal operational stage occurs from 11 years old through adulthood. It is defined by abstract, logical, and idealistic reasoning.

Question 37

What is a case study, and when do you use it?

Answer 37

A case study is an in-depth look at a single individuals. It is used when unique aspects of individuals life cannot be duplicated.

Question 38

What is descriptive research, and when do you use it?

Answer 38

Descriptive research aims to observe and record behavior. It is used in collecting data to reveal information about peoples behavior.

Question 39

What is correlational research, and when do you use it.

Answer 39

Correlational research looks for the strength of the relationship between two or more events or characteristics, and is used when trying to provide information to predict how people behave.

Question 40

What is experimental research, and when do you use it?

Answer 40

Experimental research is a regulate procedure with manipulation of certain factors to test a hypothesis, and is used to study causality.

Question 41

What is a cross-sectional research approach, and when do you use it?

Answer 41

Cross-sectional research compares individuals of different ages, and is used to study a variable across the lifespan without having to wait for the child to grow up.

Question 42

What is longitudinal research, and when do you use it?

Answer 42

Longitudinal research studies the same individuals over a period of time, and is used to study stability and change in development and the influence of early experience on later development.