Developmental Psychology and Scientific Method

Scientific Method

• A way to answer questions using empirical research and data-based conclusions, not subjective opinions or guesswork.
• Replication is crucial to generalize findings to different populations.
• The scientific method involves hypothesis formation, testing, data analysis, drawing conclusions, and reporting results.

Developmental Psychology

• Aims to understand patterns of growth and behavioral changes throughout life.
• Descriptive methods (e.g., case studies, naturalistic observations) and experimental methods are used.
• The nature vs. nurture debate considers the interplay of genetics and environment in development.
• Descriptive methods in developmental psychology include case studies, naturalistic observations and surveys, but not randomized controlled trials.
• Experimental methods involve manipulating variables to test causal relationships.
• Quasi-experimental methods are used when random assignment to groups is not possible.
• Ethnography involves immersing oneself in a culture to compare different cultural practices.

Epigenetics

• Refers to how environmental factors influence whether genes are turned on or off.
• The diathesis-stress model suggests that genetic vulnerabilities interact with life experiences to influence disorders.
• Polygenic inheritance means traits are determined by multiple genes.

Genetic Inheritance

• Polygenic inheritance involves multiple genes contributing to a single trait.
• Mitochondrial inheritance refers to passing of mitochondrial DNA only from the mother to the child.

Freud's Psychoanalytic Theory

• Freud's theory includes three personality structures: id, ego, and superego.
• The superego is responsible for developing moral standards.
• The id is driven by unconscious urges.
• The ego attempts to balance the id and superego.

Developmental Psychology Perspectives

• The lifespan perspective considers development as multidirectional, multi-contextual, multicultural, and multidisciplinary.
• The biopsychosocial perspective considers the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors.
• Continuity in development implies gradual, consistent changes over time.
• Discontinuity in development involves abrupt, distinct stages.
• Plasticity refers to the extent to which development in humans can be shaped by new experiences.

Research Methods in Developmental Psychology

• Descriptive methods are used to describe developmental phenomena.
• Case studies are in-depth investigations of individuals or groups, and allow for detailed explorations of specific cases but are limited in their ability to generalize findings to broader populations.
• Experimental methods are used to test causal hypotheses.
• Replicability is essential in scientific research, meaning studies should be able to be repeated with similar results under similar conditions.
• Quasi-experimental methods are used when random assignment to groups isn't possible.
• Ethnography is a method for studying cultures by immersing oneself in the culture.
• Naturalistic observations involve observing behavior in its natural setting, but can't establish causal relationships due to the inability to control variables.

Other

• There are different theoretical perspectives— nature versus nurture, interactionist, lifespan, biopsychosocial—for studying developmental psychology.