Unit 1

Question 1

Define: Individual Differences

Answer 1

Aspects unique to the individual

Question 2

Define: Commonalities

Answer 2

Typical aspects of adult life that most of us can relate to.
Moving out of parent’s homes
Romantic relationships
Entered college with some plans for the future

Question 3

Define: Stability

Answer 3

The important parts of ourselves that make up a consistent core

Question 4

Define: Change

Answer 4

What happens to us which causes us to be different from our younger selves.

Question 5

Define: “Continuous” as it relates to adult development?

Answer 5

Periods of our lives which are slow and gradual. Predictable.

Question 6

Define: “Stages” as it relates to adult development?

Answer 6

Parts of our journey that go from stagnant to abrupt changes

Question 7

Define: External Changes

Answer 7

Are visible and apparent to those we encounter

Question 8

Define: Internal Changes

Answer 8

Changes which are not so visible

Question 9

Differentiate among the various types of age:

Answer 9

Chronological Age:
The number of years that have passed since your birth.

Biological Age:
Measure of how an adult’s physical condition compares with others

Psychological Age:
An adult’s ability to deal effectively with the environment compared to others

Social Age:
Based on the expected roles a person takes on at specific points in his or her life.

Functional Age:
An integrated package of the other types

Question 10

Define: Chronological Age

Answer 10

The number of years that have passed since your birth.

Question 11

Define: Biological Age

Answer 11

 Measure of how an adult’s physical condition compares with others

Question 12

Define: Psychological Age

Answer 12

 An adult’s ability to deal effectively with the environment compared to others

Question 13

Define: Social Age:

Answer 13

 Based on the expected roles a person takes on at specific points in his or her life.

Question 14

Define: Functional Age

Answer 14

 An integrated package of the other types

Question 15

Describe differences and commonalities in experiences of adulthood

Answer 15

• Individual Differences
o Aspects unique to the individual

• Commonalities
o Typical aspects of adult life that most of us can relate to

Question 16

Identify normative age-graded influences on development

Answer 16

Biology:
o Changes undergone by natural aging process
o Biological Clock

Shared Experiences
o Social Clock
o The timing of adult life experiences

Question 17

Describe how historical events impact development

Answer 17

Cultures
o Expected age of marriage & childbirth
o # of Children
o Class Structures, etc.

Cohorts
o A group of people who share a common historical experience at the same stage of life
o Similar to “generation”

Question 18

Evaluate the ways that nonnormative events affect adulthood.

Answer 18

Aspects of life that are unique to the individual
o Early family death
o Large, sudden inheritance

“On-Time” events easier to cope with

Question 19

Explain the interactionist view on the influences of nature and nurture on development

Answer 19

Genetic traits will cause an individual to seek environments which reflect their preferences

Question 20

Define: Behavioural genetics

Answer 20

The contribution of genes toward individual behaviour

Question 21

Define: Epigenetics

Answer 21

The process by which the genes one receives at conception are modified by subsequent environmental acts.

Question 22

Describe elements of the lifespan developmental psychology approach

Answer 22

Development is lifelong, multi-dimensional, plastic, contextual, and has multiple causes.

o	Multidirectionality 
o	Developmental processes increase and decrease. 
o	Plasticity
o	Historical Embeddedness
o	Contextualism
o	Multidisciplinary

Question 23

Define: “Multidirectionality” as it relates to lifespan developmental psychology research.

Answer 23

Development as gain and loss.

We develop in different directions and at different rates.

Question 24

Define: “Developmental processes increase and decrease. “ as it relates to lifespan developmental psychology research.

Answer 24

At one time of life, we can change in some areas and remain stable in others. Development is a combination of gains and losses at every age, and we need to learn how to anticipate and adapt to both.

Question 25

Define: “Plasticity” as it relates to lifespan developmental psychology research.

Answer 25

Many aspects of development can be modified. Not much is set in stone, but there are limits.

Question 26

Define: “Historical Embeddedness” as it relates to lifespan developmental psychology research.

Answer 26

Development is influenced by historical and cultural conditions.

Question 27

Define: “Contextualism” as it relates to lifespan developmental psychology research.

Answer 27

Development depends on the interaction of normative age-graded, normative history-graded, and nonnormative influences.

Question 28

Define: “Multidisciplinary” as it relates to lifespan developmental psychology research.

Answer 28

The study of human development across the lifespan does not belong to psychology alone. It is the territory of many other disciplines, and we can benefit from the contributions of all.

Question 29

Outline the systems used in the bioecological model of development

Answer 29

Microsystem

- Individual with biological and psychological characteristics
- Home
- Peer Group
- School
- Religious Setting

Exosystem

- Neighbourhood
- Workplace
- Media
- Local Government
- Social Networks

Macrosystem

- Economy
- Political System
- Social Conditions
- Broader Culture

Mesosystem
-The interaction of elements in the microsystem

Chronosystem
-The systems are dynamic and evolve over time

Question 30

Identify methods used in developmental research

Answer 30

Cross-sectional method
The Longitudinal Method
Sequential Methods

Question 31

Define: Sequential Methods

Answer 31

Combination of longitudinal and cross-sectional in a variety of ways.

Question 32

Define: “Attrition” as it relates to research methods

Answer 32

Participants dropping out before study is complete

Question 33

Explain the advantages and disadvantages of different measures:

Personal Interviews

Answer 33

Structured:
-Similar to multiple choice tests

Open ended:
-Like essay exams

Downsides:

• Socially desirable biases
• Interviewer may subtly bias the participant’s answers

Question 34

Explain the advantages and disadvantages of different measures:

Survey Questionnaire

Answer 34

Structured, focused questions that the participant can answer on their own.

Advantages:

• More truthful answers (compared to face to face)
• Less Expensive
• Less Time Consuming

Disadvantages

• Low return rate
• Can be affected by peer influence

Question 35

Explain the advantages and disadvantages of different measures:

Standardized Test

Answer 35

Advantage:

• Structured
• Easy to Administer

Disadvantages:
Owned by publishing companies. Pay money to utilize.
• Wechsler scales
• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

However, some are available at no charge!
CES-D-10
-A free and available test to use for research!
-Has good validity and reliability

Question 36

Define: Validity

Answer 36

It measures what it claims to measure

Question 37

Define: Reliability

Answer 37

It would yield a similar score if same person takes it again