Unit 1 Test Flashcards
Covers research strategies, understanding abnormal child psychology, developmental influences, biological influences, & classification, assessment, and diagnosis.
Research Strategies–Scientific Approaches:
Definition of hypothesis
Predictions about behaviors.
Research Strategies– Epidemiological Research
Definition of epidemiological research
The nature and distribution of childhood disorders.
Research Strategies–Epidemiological Research
What is included in the more than counting research ACCENT?
Counting noses is valuable in that it informs us about the need for treatment, whether a disorder is increasing or not.
Research Strategies– Correlates, Risks, and Causes
Definition of correlated variables
Variables associated at a particular point in time with no clear evidence that one precedes the other.
Example: she’s sad all the time, she has no friends. She has no friends because she’s sad all the time.
Research Strategies– Correlates, Risks, and Causes
Definition of risk factor
Variable that precedes the outcome of interest and increases chances of a negative emotion occurring.
Example: parents getting divorced is a risk factor for adolescent depression.
Research Strategies– Methods of studying behavior
Definition of standardized assessment
Scores of one child compared to scores of other similar children.
Measures of psychopathology should be reliable, standardized, and valid.
Research Strategies– Experimental research
What is a true experiment?
Researchers have the maximum control over the independent variable, subjects are randomly assigned, and possible sources of bias are controlled.
Research strategies– Experimental Research
What is the Abecedarian Project?
a reseach project that was the first efforts to ask whether at-risk children could benefit from a child-centered, intellectually stimulating environment provided as part of a daycare service.
Research Strategies– Experimental Research
What are the independent and dependent variables of the abecedarian project?
Independent variable = educational program.
Dependent variable = developmental or intellectual tests.
Research Strategies– Research Designs
What was the Single Case Experimental Design?
During the first period (A), measures are taken of the behavior prior to intervention. This measure serves as a standard against which change can be evaluated. Then, (B), the intervention is carried out while the behavior is measured in the identical way. The intervention is then removed, and there is a return to the same condition as during baseline A.
Research Strategies– Research Designs
What are the A & B of a single case experimental design?
A = baseline
B = intervention
Research Strategies– Time Frames in Research
Definition of cross-sectional
Individuals at different ages or stages of development studied at the same point in time.
Research Strategies– Time Frames in Research
Definition of longitudinal
Same individuals are studied at different ages or stages of development.
Research Strategies– Ethical and Pragmatic Issues
Definition of assent
Child shows some form of agreement to participate in research.
Understanding Abnormal Child Psychology– Features that distinguish childhood disorders.
What is unique about child psychology?
Many problem behaviors are not entirely abnormal, they are shown to some degree by most children.
Understanding Abnormal Child Psychology– Historical Views
Work of Jean-Marc Itard
Notable because his orientation to children was one of care and helping.
Understanding Abnormal Child Psychology– Historical Views
Work of Lightner Witmer
Established the first child psychology clinic in the United States.
Understanding Abnormal Child Psychology– Defining Psychological Disorders
Definition of psychological disorder.
Patterns of behavior, cognitive, emotional, or physical symtpoms associated with distress, disability, and increased risk for further suffering/harm.
- Youth rarely refer themselves for clinical evaluations.
Understanding Abnormal Child Psychology–Competence
Definition of competence.
Ability to adapt to the environment.
- It is useful to have knowledge of developmental tasks to determine a child’s competencies.
