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A parent consults child development research to determine if their four-year-old's delayed speech necessitates concern. Which benefit of studying child development does this exemplify?
A parent consults child development research to determine if their four-year-old's delayed speech necessitates concern. Which benefit of studying child development does this exemplify?
- Informing social policy decisions related to educational funding.
- Providing insights into the evolutionary origins of human language.
- Determining the long-term effects of violent video games on aggression.
- Enhancing child-rearing practices through evidence-based knowledge. (correct)
Which of the following scenarios demonstrates the application of child development research in shaping social policy?
Which of the following scenarios demonstrates the application of child development research in shaping social policy?
- A therapist uses play therapy techniques to help a child cope with trauma.
- A researcher studies the impact of early childhood experiences on adult personality.
- A judge considers research on children's suggestibility when evaluating eyewitness testimony. (correct)
- Parents read articles on effective discipline strategies to manage their toddler's tantrums.
A researcher investigates whether early childhood experiences can have lasting effects that are impossible to overcome later in life. This research primarily addresses which aspect of understanding human nature?
A researcher investigates whether early childhood experiences can have lasting effects that are impossible to overcome later in life. This research primarily addresses which aspect of understanding human nature?
- The ways in which humans develop and change across the lifespan.
- The extent to which personality is determined at birth versus shaped by environment.
- The age at which children begin to learn and acquire new skills.
- The degree to which detrimental effects of early rearing can be overcome. (correct)
A policymaker reviews studies on the impact of preschool education on later academic achievement to inform decisions about funding for early childhood programs. This action best exemplifies which benefit of child development research?
A policymaker reviews studies on the impact of preschool education on later academic achievement to inform decisions about funding for early childhood programs. This action best exemplifies which benefit of child development research?
A developmental psychologist is interested in understanding when humans begin to learn and acquire new skills. This research aligns most closely with which of the following broad goals of studying child development?
A developmental psychologist is interested in understanding when humans begin to learn and acquire new skills. This research aligns most closely with which of the following broad goals of studying child development?
A researcher finds a strong positive correlation between the number of books in a child's home and their reading achievement scores. What is the most accurate conclusion that can be drawn from this?
A researcher finds a strong positive correlation between the number of books in a child's home and their reading achievement scores. What is the most accurate conclusion that can be drawn from this?
In an experiment examining the effect of a new teaching method on student test scores, which of the following is the MOST critical characteristic for ensuring the validity of the results?
In an experiment examining the effect of a new teaching method on student test scores, which of the following is the MOST critical characteristic for ensuring the validity of the results?
In a study on the effectiveness of a new medication for ADHD, one group receives the actual medication (experimental group) while the other receives a placebo (control group). What is the primary purpose of including the control group in this experimental design?
In a study on the effectiveness of a new medication for ADHD, one group receives the actual medication (experimental group) while the other receives a placebo (control group). What is the primary purpose of including the control group in this experimental design?
The National Child Development Study, which began in 1958, is an example of what type of research design, and what is its primary strength?
The National Child Development Study, which began in 1958, is an example of what type of research design, and what is its primary strength?
A researcher is designing a study to investigate the effects of a new educational program on children's academic performance. Which ethical principle should the researcher prioritize to minimize potential harm to the participants?
A researcher is designing a study to investigate the effects of a new educational program on children's academic performance. Which ethical principle should the researcher prioritize to minimize potential harm to the participants?
Which statement best illustrates the interaction of nature and nurture in development?
Which statement best illustrates the interaction of nature and nurture in development?
According to the concept of the 'active child', how do children influence their own development?
According to the concept of the 'active child', how do children influence their own development?
Stage theories of development, such as those by Piaget, Freud, and Erikson, align with which perspective on continuity?
Stage theories of development, such as those by Piaget, Freud, and Erikson, align with which perspective on continuity?
Which of the following is an example of a neural mechanism of change influencing development?
Which of the following is an example of a neural mechanism of change influencing development?
Considering the sociocultural context, which factor represents the broadest level of influence on a child's development?
Considering the sociocultural context, which factor represents the broadest level of influence on a child's development?
How do relationships within families influence individual development, according to the concept of families as 'webs'?
How do relationships within families influence individual development, according to the concept of families as 'webs'?
As children transition into adolescence, what is the general trend regarding the influence of peers on development?
As children transition into adolescence, what is the general trend regarding the influence of peers on development?
How might socioeconomic status (SES) exert its influence on a child's development?
How might socioeconomic status (SES) exert its influence on a child's development?
Which scenario BEST exemplifies the 'context' process in child development?
Which scenario BEST exemplifies the 'context' process in child development?
A researcher is studying how children's ability to understand and express emotions changes between the ages of 3 and 10. Which domain of development is the researcher primarily focused on?
A researcher is studying how children's ability to understand and express emotions changes between the ages of 3 and 10. Which domain of development is the researcher primarily focused on?
What is the primary purpose of a developmental theory?
What is the primary purpose of a developmental theory?
A researcher observes that children who attend preschool tend to develop stronger social skills than those who do not. Using a developmental theory, what would be the next logical step for the researcher?
A researcher observes that children who attend preschool tend to develop stronger social skills than those who do not. Using a developmental theory, what would be the next logical step for the researcher?
Which of the following illustrates the concept of 'maturation' in child development?
Which of the following illustrates the concept of 'maturation' in child development?
A child is learning to tie their shoelaces. Initially, they struggle and require step-by-step guidance from a parent. With practice, they become more efficient and can tie their shoes independently. Which of the key processes of development is MOST directly involved in this scenario?
A child is learning to tie their shoelaces. Initially, they struggle and require step-by-step guidance from a parent. With practice, they become more efficient and can tie their shoes independently. Which of the key processes of development is MOST directly involved in this scenario?
A researcher designs a study to investigate the impact of screen time on language development in toddlers. Which domain of development is the researcher primarily focused on?
A researcher designs a study to investigate the impact of screen time on language development in toddlers. Which domain of development is the researcher primarily focused on?
A 15-year-old is experiencing significant physical changes, navigating complex peer relationships, and grappling with questions of identity. According to the developmental periods, which stage of life are they in?
A 15-year-old is experiencing significant physical changes, navigating complex peer relationships, and grappling with questions of identity. According to the developmental periods, which stage of life are they in?
Which of Scarr's factors emphasizes the unique responses of children to similar events, highlighting the impact of individual interpretation?
Which of Scarr's factors emphasizes the unique responses of children to similar events, highlighting the impact of individual interpretation?
A researcher aims to understand the impact of a new educational program on children's reading abilities. What is the MOST crucial initial step they should take using the scientific approach?
A researcher aims to understand the impact of a new educational program on children's reading abilities. What is the MOST crucial initial step they should take using the scientific approach?
A child development researcher wants to collect detailed narratives from adolescents about their experiences with bullying. Which data collection method would be MOST suitable for gathering in-depth, personalized accounts?
A child development researcher wants to collect detailed narratives from adolescents about their experiences with bullying. Which data collection method would be MOST suitable for gathering in-depth, personalized accounts?
In the context of research measures, what does internal validity primarily ensure?
In the context of research measures, what does internal validity primarily ensure?
A study finds a strong positive correlation between the number of books in a child's home and their reading achievement scores. What valid conclusion can be drawn from this correlation?
A study finds a strong positive correlation between the number of books in a child's home and their reading achievement scores. What valid conclusion can be drawn from this correlation?
Which of the following exemplifies the application of child development research to improve children's welfare?
Which of the following exemplifies the application of child development research to improve children's welfare?
What is a key benefit of using structured interviews in child development research?
What is a key benefit of using structured interviews in child development research?
A researcher observes children's interactions in a classroom without interfering. What type of data collection method are they employing?
A researcher observes children's interactions in a classroom without interfering. What type of data collection method are they employing?
Which of the following is NOT a factor related to differences in children, according to Scarr's research?
Which of the following is NOT a factor related to differences in children, according to Scarr's research?
In research methodology, what does test-retest reliability assess?
In research methodology, what does test-retest reliability assess?
Flashcards
Empathy via Child Development
Empathy via Child Development
Applying child development research can foster understanding and compassion for kids from all backgrounds.
Better Child-Rearing
Better Child-Rearing
Child development knowledge helps improve parenting practices in different environments and with various caregivers.
Informed Social Policy
Informed Social Policy
Understanding child development supports well-informed decisions on important social and policy issues that affect children.
Insights into Human Nature
Insights into Human Nature
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Impact of Environment
Impact of Environment
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Development
Development
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Child Development
Child Development
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Maturation
Maturation
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Learning
Learning
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Context
Context
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Physical Domain
Physical Domain
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Cognitive Domain
Cognitive Domain
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Theory
Theory
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Nature vs. Nurture
Nature vs. Nurture
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Genome
Genome
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The Active Child
The Active Child
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Continuous Development
Continuous Development
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Discontinuous Development
Discontinuous Development
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Mechanisms of Change
Mechanisms of Change
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Sociocultural Context
Sociocultural Context
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Family Influence
Family Influence
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Direction-of-causation problem
Direction-of-causation problem
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Third-variable problem
Third-variable problem
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Experimental designs
Experimental designs
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Control group
Control group
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Experimental group
Experimental group
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Family Dinners
Family Dinners
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Scarr's Factors
Scarr's Factors
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Scientific Approach
Scientific Approach
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Reliability
Reliability
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Validity
Validity
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Replicability
Replicability
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Structured Interviews
Structured Interviews
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Clinical Interviews
Clinical Interviews
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Naturalistic Observation
Naturalistic Observation
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Correlational Design
Correlational Design
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Study Notes
- The text provides an introduction to child development
- It includes reasons to learn about it, philosophical issues, enduring themes, and methods for studying child development.
Why Study Child Development?
- Child-development research can build empathy for diverse populations of children.
- It can improve child-rearing across a variety of settings and caregivers.
- It facilitates informed decisions about social-policy questions.
- For example, research on preschool children's responses to leading interview questions and their testimonies in court.
- Also, study of violent video games and increased aggressive behavior in children and adolescents.
- It provides insights into questions regarding human nature, such as when learning starts or how humans evolve throughout life.
Development Defined
- Development is defined as the systematic continuities and changes that occur between conception and death.
- Child development specifically focuses on the continuities and changes that occur between conception and adolescence.
- Maturation is attributed to specific biological inheritance.
- Learning is how life experiences affect and change thoughts, feelings, and behavior.
- Context is the individual combination of personal and environmental circumstances that can influence development across the lifespan.
Domains of Development
- Physical development involves touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing.
- Cognitive development involves thinking, reasoning, and understanding.
- Language development involves comprehending, utilizing, and manipulating language.
- Emotional development involves understanding and regulating emotions.
- Social development involves connecting to others and building relationships.
Developmental Periods Across the Lifespan
- Prenatal period is from conception to birth.
- Infancy and toddlerhood is from birth to 2 years.
- Early childhood is from 2-6 years.
- Middle childhood is from 6-11 years.
- Adolescence is from 11-18 years.
- Emerging adulthood is from 18-24 years.
What Is A Theory?
- A theory is a validated set of principles and explanations of a phenomenon.
- It is a framework for organizing concepts and ideas, explaining how and why something is.
- Theories aim to predict outcomes and state possible relationships between concepts.
- Developmental theories are systematic ways of understanding human evolution from infancy to adolescence.
- They explain various aspects of development or observations and make predictions.
Types of Developmental Theories
- Biological
- Psychoanalytic
- Learning
- Cognitive-Developmental
- Ecological Systems or Contextual
Enduring Themes in Child Development
- Nature vs. Nurture: How do they shape development together?
- The Active Child: How do children shape their development?
- Continuity vs. Discontinuity: To what extent is development continuous or discontinuous?
- Mechanisms of Change: How does change occur?
- Sociocultural Context: How does the context influence development?
- Individual Differences: How do children become so different?
- Research and Child's Welfare.
Nature vs Nurture
- Human traits result from gene-environment interaction.
- Nurture is the environment.
- Nature/genome is individual's hereditary information.
- Identical twins are 50% more likely to develop schizophrenia
The Active Child
- A child's actions impact their development.
- Preference to look at mother strengthens mother-child bond.
Continuity vs Discontinuity
- Continuous development: Changes occur gradually, skill by skill, task by task.
- Discontinuous development: Changes include occasional large shifts, with qualitative differences.
- Piaget, Freud, Erikson, and Kohlberg were stage theorists.
Mechanisms of Change
- Change occurs to produce an outcome of interest (e.g., behavioral, neural, genetic changes)
- Behavior improves strategies
- Changes occur in brain activity
- Presence or absence of alleles influence change.
The Sociocultural Context
- Includes physical, social, cultural, economic, political, and historical factors
- Contextual factors: Family is the most significant influence, with reciprocal, dynamic relationships.
- Peers are second-most influential in adolescence.
- Socioeconomic status influences birthweight, academic success, mental & physical health.
- Family dinners are a positive influence on child development.
- Consistent access to quality education.
Individual Differences
- Scarr's factors related to differences in children: genetic differences, treatment differences, reactions to experiences, and different environments.
- Research helps diagnose children's problems and helps them overcome them.
- Examples include anger-management programs and more valid child eyewitness testimony.
Studying Child Development: The Scientific Approach
- Choose the question, form a hypothesis, develop a testing method, and draw conclusions from the resulting data.
- Key criteria for good research are relevance to hypotheses, reliability (interrater, test-retest), validity (internal, external), and replicability.
- "STUDY for the exam - its important" (per source)
Contexts for Gathering Information
- Interviews and questionnaires:
- Structured interviews collect self-reports on same topics.
- Clinical interviews gather in-depth individual information.
- Questionnaires gather data simultaneously
- Naturalistic observation: Observing without disruption.
- Examines ongoing behavior in uncontrolled environment.
- Structured observation: Facilitating an environment to elicit specific response.
- Presents identical situations and records behavior
Stanford Marshmallow Test
| Data-Gathering Situation | Features | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interview/questionnaire | Children answer questions asked either in person or on a questionnaire. | Can reveal children's subjective experience. Structured interviews are inexpensive collecting in-depth data. Clinical interviews allow flexibility for follow ups | Reports are often biased to reflect favorably on interviewee. Memories of interviewees are often inaccurate. Prediction of future behaviors are often inaccurate. |
| Naturalistic observation | Children's activities in one or more everyday settings are observed. | Useful for describing behavior and illuminating social interactions. | Difficult identifying influential aspects, limited for studying infrequent behaviors. |
| Structured observation | Children are brought to laboratory and presented prearranged tasks, same context for all. | Ensures all behaviors are observed in same context. Allows controlled comparison of behavior in different situations. | Context is less natural, reveals less about about subjective experience compared to interviews |
Correlation and Causation
- Goal: Determine how variables relate through association and cause/effect.
- Assess with correlational designs that indicate how variables relate.
- Correlation: Association between two variables.
- Cause-effect inference is not justified in correlation because of:
- Direction-of-causation problem: Does not indicate variable causes effect.
- Third-variable problem: Variables may stem from a 3rd influence.
- Correlation does not mean causation.
Experiments
- Experimental designs: Approaches that allow inferences about causes and effects.
- Need random assignment and experimental control.
- Control group: Group not presented with the experience but treated identically
- Experimental group: Group presented with the experience.
Research Designs for Examining Children's Development
| Design | Description |
|---|---|
| Cross-sectional | Compares kids different ages on a given trait over short period. |
| Longitudinal | Same kids studied twice or more over a substantial length of time. |
| Microgenetic design | Same kids studied repeatedly over a short period with processes that produce change. Provide depth/depiction of processes. |
Longitudinal Study Video Watched in Class (UK)
- The longitudinal study was of children born in the UK in one week.
- A total of 17,000 children in the study.
- All children took part in different cognitive tests (for reading and math).
- Where you start in life and where you get to has direct correlations.
- Longitudinal studies are valuable and provide immense information on aging. -The findings will be the foundation for public policies.
| Design | Characteristics | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cross-sectional | Diff ages | Quick and easy to administer. Yields useful at about differences amongst groups | Uninformative about stability of differences over time. Uninformative about similarities and differences in individual patterns. |
| Longitudinal | same children | Indicates the degree of stability of individual differences over long periods. Reveals children's change | Difficult retaining participants, repeated testing. Can threaten validity. |
| Microgeneic | Same children | Intensive observation of changes ,can clarify the process. Reveals change Detail. | Does not for provide typical patterns of change over long periods/yield data,regarding change patterns over long periods. |
Ethical Considerations
- Maximize benefits and minimize harm.
- Respect the dignity of persons and people, ensure equity
- Maintain scientific integrity
Maintaining a Critical Eye
- Be aware of Western lens with Euro/hetero/cis normative conceptions.
- Be be aware of issues in cultural appropriateness.
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Description
This explores the practical applications and broader goals of child development research. It includes informing parental decisions, shaping social policy, and understanding human nature through developmental studies. The content also touches upon the impact of early experiences and preschool education.
