Autism Spectrum Disorders and Face Processing

Questions and Answers

What does the lifespan perspective suggest about human development?

It suggests that development is lifelong and change can occur at any age.

How does development in the lifespan perspective differ from traditional views?

It does not prioritize any specific age period as the most crucial for development.

What are the three domains of development outlined in the lifespan perspective?

The three domains are physical, cognitive, and psychosocial.

Explain what is meant by development being multidirectional.

It means that individuals can experience both growth and decline in different aspects of development simultaneously. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the role of interdisciplinary approaches in lifespan development.

Lifespan development draws from various fields including biology, sociology, and anthropology. Signup and view all the answers

What does the psychosocial domain focus on in human development?

It focuses on changes in emotions, self-perception, and interpersonal relationships. Signup and view all the answers

Identify a significant assumption of the lifespan perspective regarding age.

No single age period is viewed as dominating development; change occurs across all ages. Signup and view all the answers

Can development experience both gains and losses? Provide an example.

Yes, for example, finishing high school can lead to the gain of independence but may also result in the loss of familiar social settings. Signup and view all the answers

How do changes in one domain of development potentially affect other domains?

Changes in one domain can cascade and prompt developmental changes in other domains due to their interconnected nature. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'plasticity' refer to in the context of human development?

Plasticity refers to our ability to change and adapt, highlighting that many of our characteristics can be modified through experience. Signup and view all the answers

What are normative age-graded influences, and how do they impact development?

Normative age-graded influences are specific experiences and changes shared among individuals in the same age group, shaping their development. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how normative history-graded influences differ from normative age-graded influences.

Normative history-graded influences are shaped by the time period in which individuals are born, while age-graded influences are tied to specific developmental stages. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it stated that human development is multidisciplinary?

Human development is multidisciplinary because it integrates theories, research methods, and knowledge from various academic disciplines. Signup and view all the answers

What role does context play in human development according to Baltes (1987)?

Context plays a significant role in human development as it occurs in various environments that influence growth and experiences. Signup and view all the answers

How can an infant learning to crawl or walk illustrate the interconnectedness of developmental domains?

An infant learning to crawl or walk interacts more with objects and people, fostering changes in both physical understanding and social skills. Signup and view all the answers

What is a cohort, and why is it significant in the study of human development?

A cohort is a group of individuals born during the same time period, and it is significant because they experience similar historical and social circumstances influencing their development. Signup and view all the answers

What are two health-related issues that poverty can lead to?

Poorer diet and less access to healthcare. Signup and view all the answers

How does culture influence individual development?

Culture teaches shared values, behaviors, and knowledge, shaping how individuals live and function in society. Signup and view all the answers

What is ethnocentrism?

Ethnocentrism is the belief that one's own culture is superior to others. Signup and view all the answers

What higher income members fear losing compared to the concerns of the poor?

Higher income members fear losing their financial status, while the poor fear losing housing. Signup and view all the answers

In what way does culture contribute to education?

Culture influences interactions and expectations between teachers and students. Signup and view all the answers

How do cultural practices evolve within a society?

Cultural practices evolve through traditions and values that are passed down through generations. Signup and view all the answers

List one impact of poverty on child development.

Greater difficulty in school. Signup and view all the answers

What role does stress play in the relationship between poverty and health?

Greater stress levels associated with poverty can lead to poorer health outcomes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary argument of those who support the nature side of the nature/nurture debate?

Heredity plays the most important role in determining features. Signup and view all the answers

How do proponents of the nurture side of the debate view the influence of the environment?

They believe that one's environment is the most significant factor in shaping behavior and characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

What do most scholars agree upon in relation to the nature and nurture debate?

There is a constant interplay between heredity and environmental factors. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of human development, what does the term continuity refer to?

It refers to development as a slow, gradual process. Signup and view all the answers

What does discontinuity in human development imply?

It implies that development occurs in more abrupt stages or changes. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it difficult to isolate a single behavior as a result of either nature or nurture?

Because both forces typically interact in complex ways to influence behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

How might lifestyle and diet be viewed in the context of the nature/nurture debate?

As environmental factors that contribute to various personal features and traits. Signup and view all the answers

What visual symbolism is used to represent continuous versus discontinuous development?

A tree represents continuous development, while a ladybug symbolizes discontinuous development. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of the study conducted by Webb, Dawson, Bernier, and Panagiotides (2006)?

The primary focus was to examine face and object processing in children with autism spectrum disorders compared to those with developmental delays and typically developing children. Signup and view all the answers

How did the researchers measure brain activity in the children during the study?

The researchers measured brain activity using electrode caps while the children viewed still photographs of faces and objects. Signup and view all the answers

What significant difference did the study suggest regarding children with autism?

The study suggested that children with autism process faces differently compared to typically developing children and those with developmental delays. Signup and view all the answers

What is secondary content analysis in research?

Secondary content analysis involves analyzing existing information or data to uncover attitudes, practices, or preferences. Signup and view all the answers

Why is U.S. Census Data useful for secondary analysis?

U.S. Census Data is widely used to examine trends and changes in demographics and social behavior in the United States. Signup and view all the answers

What advantage does secondary analysis offer researchers?

Secondary analysis offers researchers the advantage of utilizing existing data without having to recruit new subjects. Signup and view all the answers

What component of brainwaves did the researchers examine in the study?

The researchers examined a specific component of the brainwaves that reflects differences in face and object processing. Signup and view all the answers

What types of images did the children in the study view?

The children viewed still photographs of faces (their mother or a stranger) and various objects, both familiar and unfamiliar. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Applied Fields of Psychology

Educational psychology, psychopathology, and forensic developmental psychology are informed by the broader field of psychology.
Social, cognitive, and comparative psychology serve as complementary basic research fields.
Theories and research from biology, sociology, healthcare, nutrition, and anthropology contribute to psychological understanding.

Lifespan Perspective

Development is lifelong; change is ongoing and occurs across all life stages.
No single age period dominates human development, implying that development is a continuous process.
Development is multidirectional; individuals may experience growth in some areas while facing losses in others.
Multidimensional development includes three domains: physical, cognitive, and psychosocial, with interrelated changes across them.
Physical domain: changes in height, weight, sensory capabilities, and susceptibility to illness.
Cognitive domain: includes intelligence, wisdom, problem-solving, memory, and language development.
Psychosocial domain: focuses on emotions, self-perception, and interpersonal relationships.
Human development is multidisciplinary, incorporating insights from various academic disciplines.
Development displays plasticity, highlighting the capacity for change and adaptation throughout life.
Development is multicontextual, shaped by age-graded influences (shared experiences of specific age groups) and historical influences (experiences shaped by the time of birth).

Socioeconomic Impact on Development

Poverty negatively affects health and life expectancy due to factors like poor diet, limited healthcare, and higher mortality rates.
Greater concerns for the economically disadvantaged revolve around housing security, while higher-income individuals may fear loss of status.

Role of Culture in Development

Culture encompasses shared language, beliefs, behavior, and values, impacting every aspect of life and how individuals interact with society.
Ethnocentrism can arise from cultural upbringing, leading to a belief in the superiority of one's own culture which can hinder understanding of others.

Nature vs. Nurture Debate

Human features result from both heredity (nature) and environmental influences (nurture); both factors interplay to shape individual characteristics.
Scholars agree on the interrelationship between genetic and environmental influences rather than a strict dichotomy.

Continuity vs. Discontinuity in Development

Development may be viewed as gradual (continuity) or as involving distinct stages (discontinuity), depending on the perspective of different theorists.
Research on children with autism reveals differences in processing faces compared to typically developing children, shedding light on developmental variations.

Research Methods in Developmental Psychology

Secondary/content analysis involves examining already collected data or documents to uncover trends or behaviors.
Existing datasets (like U.S. Census Data) allow researchers to analyze demographic and developmental trends without needing primary data collection.

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Description

This quiz explores the research by Webb et al. (2006) on face and object processing in children with autism spectrum disorders, developmental delays, and typical development. It focuses on the methodologies used, including brain activity recordings, and the implications of the findings for understanding cognitive differences among these groups.