Questions and Answers
Who established a theory of psychosocial development?
What are the three domains of development?
Physical, cognitive, psychosocial
What does continuous development imply?
What is the debate in Nature vs. Nurture about?
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What is defined as the process from conception until birth?
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What are the three stages of prenatal development?
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What is the age range for early adulthood?
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What is defined as a group of people born at around the same time?
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What does validity in research refer to?
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What is the change in behavior due to awareness of being studied called?
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What is longitudinal research?
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What does the term 'attrition' refer to in research?
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What principle ensures participants are informed about the research?
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Study Notes
Key Theories and Concepts in Lifespan Development
- Eric Erikson: Developed a theory of psychosocial development comprising eight stages, each with a specific conflict that must be resolved for progression.
- Domains of Development: Encompasses three areas—physical, cognitive, and psychosocial.
Developmental Perspectives
- Continuous Development: Views development as a cumulative process with gradual improvements in existing skills.
- Discontinuous Development: Suggests that development occurs in distinct stages where new understanding emerges at specific points.
- Nature vs Nurture: A debate regarding the influence of genetics (nature) versus environment (nurture) on behavior.
Stages of Development
- Prenatal Development: Occurs from conception to birth, with distinct stages: germinal, embryonic, and fetal.
- Infancy and Toddlerhood (1.5-2 years): Characterized by significant growth, changes in attachment styles, and beginning language development.
- Early Childhood (2-6 years): A period of gaining a sense of self, independence, and understanding the real world.
- Middle Childhood (6-11 years): Focus on academics, social relationships, and self-assessment.
- Adolescence: Transition to adulthood focusing on identity formation and abstract thinking.
- Early Adulthood (19-40 years): Recognized as "emerging adulthood" (age 18-29), where independence is established.
- Middle Adulthood (40-65 years): Peak productivity and introspective questioning about life goals and mortality.
- Late Adulthood (65 years and older): Differentiated into young-old, old-old, and very old categories based on functioning.
Life Perspectives and Influences
- Lifespan Perspective: Emphasizes that development is lifelong, influenced by multiple interacting forces.
- Cohort: Group of individuals born around the same time and place.
- Socioeconomic Status (SES): Classification based on income, education, and occupation impacting development.
- Culture: Comprises beliefs, customs, and traditions learned throughout life from various social institutions.
Research Methodologies
- Correlation Research Design: Non-experimental method exploring the relationship between two variables at a time.
- Experimental Research: Involves manipulating an independent variable to observe effects on a dependent variable.
- Qualitative Research: Focuses on observational data and themes rather than numerical data.
- Quantitative Research: Utilizes numerical data for analysis and comparison.
- Cross-Sectional Study: Compares different age groups at one point in time.
- Longitudinal Research: Follows the same individuals across time for repeated assessment.
Additional Research Concepts
- Hawthorne Effect: Changes in behavior due to awareness of being observed.
- Validity and Reliability: Validity measures what it intends to measure, while reliability ensures consistent results across repeated tests.
- Informed Consent: Ethical guideline ensuring participants are aware of study parameters before participation.
- Institutional Review Board (IRB): Reviews research for ethical considerations and methodological soundness.
Summary of Development Influences
- Normative Age-Graded Influences: Similar biological/environmental experiences within a specific age group.
- Non-Normative Influences: Irregular events affecting individuals uniquely.
- Ethnocentrism: Belief in the superiority of one's ethnic or national group, affecting cultural perspectives.
Research Challenges
- Attrition: Loss of participants in studies, which can bias outcomes.
- Selective Attrition: Specific loss of participants leading to sample bias.
This summary encapsulates essential concepts in lifespan development, providing a framework for understanding key theories, stages, and research methodologies in the field.
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Description
Test your knowledge of lifespan development concepts with these flashcards. Explore key terms and theories from Eric Erikson's psychosocial development stages to the domains of development. Perfect for students studying human development.
