Development Psychology Chapter 1

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Questions and Answers

What is a key characteristic of classical conditioning as proposed by Ivan Pavlov?

Learning through rewards and punishments.

Associating a neutral stimulus with a meaningful stimulus. (correct)

Observing and imitating others' behavior.

Restructuring old ideas to incorporate new experiences.

Which of the following best describes operant conditioning as defined by B.F. Skinner?

Breaking down concepts into immediate surroundings.

Learning through social modeling.

Learning that occurs through the consequences of actions. (correct)

Changes in thought patterns over time.

In Bandura's Social Learning Theory, what is the significance of modeling?

It emphasizes the role of cognitive restructuring.

It highlights the influence of peer interactions.

It focuses on biological instincts in behavior.

It involves learning through observation and imitation. (correct)

Which cognitive process involves adapting old ideas to incorporate new experiences?

Accommodation Signup and view all the answers

How does Systems Theory explain development in individuals and families?

It indicates that change in one part affects all aspects of development. Signup and view all the answers

What does socioeconomic status (SES) primarily encompass?

The level of education, income, wealth, and occupation Signup and view all the answers

What are microsystems according to Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory?

Elements of a person’s immediate surroundings. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects the concept of development being plastic?

Traits can change significantly over time, but the core identity remains consistent. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT a focus of Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems approach?

Individual cognitive processes. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of Erikson's stages of development?

Each stage is described by a specific challenging crisis. Signup and view all the answers

What does self-efficacy in Social Learning Theory refer to?

How confident people feel in their ability to create change. Signup and view all the answers

In behaviorism, what does conditioning refer to?

The process through which behavior is linked to stimuli Signup and view all the answers

Which system in Bronfenbrenner's ecological model focuses on the direct interactions between different settings that influence the developing person?

Mesosystem Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'microsystem' refer to in Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory?

The immediate environment in which a person lives. Signup and view all the answers

How do the concepts of correlation and causation differ?

Correlation alone does not establish that one variable affects another. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the experimental group from the comparison group in an experiment?

The experimental group receives the treatment while the comparison group does not. Signup and view all the answers

What role does culture play in the life-span perspective?

Culture influences behavioral patterns and educational approaches. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it difficult to acquire valid survey data?

People may lie or change their minds when responding. Signup and view all the answers

Which area of study does genetics and neuroscience belong to in lifespan research?

Multidisciplinary approaches to human development Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes a correlation between variables?

A correlation suggests that two variables occur together. Signup and view all the answers

In Bronfenbrenner's ecological model, which system represents broader cultural values and social conditions?

Macrosystem Signup and view all the answers

What type of research design collects data repeatedly from the same individuals as they age?

Longitudinal research Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of scientific observation in research?

Recording behavior systematically and objectively. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the chronosystem in Bronfenbrenner's model?

To show the impact of socio-economic shifts over time. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Chapter 1: The Science of Development

The science of human development aims to understand how and why people of all ages change over time.

Assessment

Presentation: 15%
Group Assignment: 15%
Individual Assignment: 15%
Mid-term Exam: 20%
Final Exam: 40%
Total: 100%
Continuous Assessment: 20%
Final Assessment: 20% (x 40)
Students need to pass each assessment with at least 20%

References

Santrock, J. W. (2021). Life-span development (18th ed.). McGraw-Hill.
Santrock, J. W. (2022). Essentials of life-span development. McGraw-Hill Education.
Papalia, D. E., & Martorell, G. (2021). Experience human development. McGraw-Hill Education.
Gillibrand, R., Lam, V., & O'Donnell, V. L. (2016). Developmental psychology. Pearson Education Limited.

Defining Development

Human development examines the processes that shape people throughout their lives.
It encompasses how individuals change over time, accounting for their experiences and differences.

Understanding How and Why

The scientific method involves steps used for investigating and understanding phenomena.
Basic scientific method steps:
- Observation, posing a question, developing a hypothesis, gathering data, testing the hypothesis and drawing conclusions, reporting the results.
- Alternative explanations also need to be considered.

The Nature-Nurture Debate

Nature refers to the genetic traits inherited at birth.
Nurture accounts for how the environment affects traits.
- Factors such as maternal health, diet, family, school, and society influence a person's development.

Critical/Sensitive Periods

A critical or sensitive period is a time when certain experiences play a significant role in later development.
These crucial events can have long-lasting impacts on different aspects of life.

The Life-Span Perspective

Human development is multidirectional.
Some theorists identify developmental stages (e.g., Freud, Erikson, Piaget), others view it as a continuous process, progressing constantly.
Historical context shapes development (cohorts.) Demographic data illustrates how names change over time.
Socioeconomic status factors include income, wealth, employment, education, and place of residence.
Culture significantly impacts behavior, passing down traditions and values across generations.
Ethnicity is a shared heritage, language, culture and region of origin.

Development Is Multidisciplinary

The study of development integrates various disciplines such as genetics and neuroscience

Development Is Plastic

Human traits adapt to circumstances, but underlying identities remain relatively consistent.
Mirror neurons display interconnected brain activity, showing how observation can impact behavior.

Theories of Human Development

Developmental theories are systematic statements of principles to understand and explain human change.

Psychoanalytic Theory

Focuses on the unconscious desires and motives that shape behavior, often stemming from childhood experiences.
Sigmund Freud is known for pioneering this theory.

Erickson's Stages

Created eight developmental stages marked by unique challenges or "crises."
Erik Erikson built upon Freud's theory, but also added adult stages in his theory.

Behaviorism

Focuses on observable behaviors and how they are learned through conditioning processes.
Two main types of conditioning exist: classical and operant.
Classical Conditioning (Ivan Pavlov): Associating a neutral stimulus with significant stimulus.
Operant Conditioning (B.F. Skinner): Linking actions with consequences. Responses are strengthened if followed by rewards (desired results) and weakened if followed by undesirable consequences

An extension of behaviorism, emphasizing the influence of others on learning behaviors by observing and modeling.
Albert Bandura developed this theory.

Cognitive Theory

Emphasizes how thoughts and expectations impact behavior and how mental abilities develop over time.
Jean Piaget contributed significantly to this approach.

Piaget and Cognitive Development

Piaget’s theory details different cognitive stages, with each stage marked by different cognitive abilities.
Assimilation* - Interpreting new experiences in light of existing understanding.
Accommodation* - Modifying existing understanding to fit new experiences.

Systems Theory and the Ecological Approach

Systems theory describes how interactions within a person and their environments affect development.
Bronfenbrenner's ecological model emphasizes factors like immediate surroundings (microsystems), broader connections, larger contexts, and social impact influencing development.
- Bronfenbrenner's system has five levels: microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and chronosystem.

Using the Scientific Method

Observation: Accurately noting and recording behaviors objectively. This can involve controlled laboratory settings or natural settings.
Experiments: Identifying independent variables (those manipulated), dependent variables (those measured), experimental groups (receiving treatments), and control groups (not receiving treatments).
Surveys: Gathering data through interviews, questionnaires, etc. Survey data can be influenced by wording and ordering of questions or poor design.

Studying Development Over the Lifespan

Cross-sectional research: Comparing different age groups at one point in time to understand developmental differences.
Longitudinal research: Studying the same individuals over a period of time to observe changes and continuity in development.
Cross-sequential research: Combines cross-sectional and longitudinal approaches for a broader view of development.

Cautions from Science

Correlation is not causation. While changes may appear to be connected, they may not be.

Ethics in Research

Guidelines for ethical research practices in studies involving human subjects.
- Informed consent: Participants should understand the nature of the study and any risks involved before participation.
- Confidentiality: Maintaining privacy regarding participant data.
- Debriefing: After the subject participates in a study researchers should fully explain the goals and methods of study to participants.
- Deception: Sometimes participants are not told of researchers’ goals. Researchers need to make sure this practice does not harm participants.

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Description

Explore the first chapter of Development Psychology, focusing on the science of human development. This quiz assesses your understanding of how people change over time across different ages. Review key concepts from essential texts like Santrock and Papalia to prepare for your assessments.