Unit 1 Flashcards
Define: Individual Differences
Aspects unique to the individual
Define: Commonalities
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
Define: Stability
The important parts of ourselves that make up a consistent core
Define: Change
What happens to us which causes us to be different from our younger selves.
Define: “Continuous” as it relates to adult development?
Periods of our lives which are slow and gradual. Predictable.
Define: “Stages” as it relates to adult development?
Parts of our journey that go from stagnant to abrupt changes
Define: External Changes
Are visible and apparent to those we encounter
Define: Internal Changes
Changes which are not so visible
Differentiate among the various types of age:
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
Define: Chronological Age
The number of years that have passed since your birth.
Define: Biological Age
Measure of how an adult’s physical condition compares with others
Define: Psychological Age
An adult’s ability to deal effectively with the environment compared to others
Define: Social Age:
Based on the expected roles a person takes on at specific points in his or her life.
Define: Functional Age
An integrated package of the other types
Describe differences and commonalities in experiences of adulthood
• Individual Differences
o Aspects unique to the individual
• Commonalities
o Typical aspects of adult life that most of us can relate to
Identify normative age-graded influences on development
Biology:
o Changes undergone by natural aging process
o Biological Clock
Shared Experiences
o Social Clock
o The timing of adult life experiences
Describe how historical events impact development
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”
Evaluate the ways that nonnormative events affect adulthood.
Aspects of life that are unique to the individual
o Early family death
o Large, sudden inheritance
“On-Time” events easier to cope with
Explain the interactionist view on the influences of nature and nurture on development
Genetic traits will cause an individual to seek environments which reflect their preferences
Define: Behavioural genetics
The contribution of genes toward individual behaviour
Define: Epigenetics
The process by which the genes one receives at conception are modified by subsequent environmental acts.
Describe elements of the lifespan developmental psychology approach
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
Define: “Multidirectionality” as it relates to lifespan developmental psychology research.
Development as gain and loss.
We develop in different directions and at different rates.
Define: “Developmental processes increase and decrease. “ as it relates to lifespan developmental psychology research.
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.
Define: “Plasticity” as it relates to lifespan developmental psychology research.
Many aspects of development can be modified. Not much is set in stone, but there are limits.
Define: “Historical Embeddedness” as it relates to lifespan developmental psychology research.
Development is influenced by historical and cultural conditions.
Define: “Contextualism” as it relates to lifespan developmental psychology research.
Development depends on the interaction of normative age-graded, normative history-graded, and nonnormative influences.
Define: “Multidisciplinary” as it relates to lifespan developmental psychology research.
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.
Outline the systems used in the bioecological model of development
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
Identify methods used in developmental research
Cross-sectional method
The Longitudinal Method
Sequential Methods
Define: Sequential Methods
Combination of longitudinal and cross-sectional in a variety of ways.
Define: “Attrition” as it relates to research methods
Participants dropping out before study is complete
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of different measures:
Personal Interviews
Structured:
-Similar to multiple choice tests
Open ended:
-Like essay exams
Downsides:
- Socially desirable biases
- Interviewer may subtly bias the participant’s answers
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of different measures:
Survey Questionnaire
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
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of different measures:
Standardized Test
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
Define: Validity
It measures what it claims to measure
Define: Reliability
It would yield a similar score if same person takes it again
