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Questions and Answers
What does John Watson believe is the primary determinant of development?
According to the concept of maturation, which of the following processes is emphasized?
How do identical twins differ from fraternal twins regarding genetic influence?
What does the concordance rate indicate in twin studies?
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Which theorist argued that cognitive development follows a maturational model?
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What is the significance of comparing identical and fraternal twins in research?
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In terms of intelligence test scores, which of the following is true regarding identical twins?
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Which of the following best defines learning as described in the content?
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What is the primary focus of the debate between biology and environment in developmental psychology?
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Arnold Gesell's view on child development emphasizes which aspect of maturation?
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Which of the following best describes the concept of continuity versus discontinuity in development?
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What does cultural universals vs cultural relativism debate entail in developmental psychology?
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Which statement best encapsulates the 'active vs passive' debate in child development?
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Arnold Gesell believed that a child's development follows which type of sequence?
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From a developmental psychology perspective, which factor is often debated regarding its role in child behavior?
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What does Arnold Gesell's quote about gradual growth suggest about his view on child care?
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Study Notes
Major Themes in Developmental Psychology
- Developmental psychology is concerned with understanding how humans grow and change throughout their lives.
- There are several major debates that have shaped the field of developmental psychology.
- These debates center around the relative importance of biological and environmental factors in shaping development.
Biology vs. Environment
- Nature refers to biological influences, such as genes and maturation, while nurture refers to environmental influences, such as experiences and learning.
- Arnold Gesell (1925) argued that child development is determined by a maturational timetable inherited in our genetic code.
- John Watson (1930) argued that development is determined by environmental influences.
- Maturation refers to the biological unfolding of an individual, including species-typical biological inheritance (DNA) and individual person's biological inheritance.
- Learning refers to experiences producing relatively permanent changes in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Active vs. Passive
- This debate centers on whether children are active participants in their own development or passively shaped by external forces.
- Active theories suggest that children actively seek out and interpret experiences, shaping their own development.
- Passive theories suggest that children are primarily shaped by external influences, such as genes and the environment.
Continuity vs. Discontinuity
- This debate centers on whether development is a smooth, continuous process or one that is marked by discrete stages.
- Continuity theories suggest that development is a gradual, continuous process.
- Discontinuity theories suggest that development occurs in distinct stages, with each stage characterized by qualitatively different abilities.
Cultural Universals vs. Cultural Relativism
- This debate focuses on whether developmental patterns are universal across cultures or specific to particular cultures.
- Cultural universalists believe that there are fundamental principles of development that apply to all human beings, regardless of culture.
- Cultural relativists believe that development is shaped by specific cultural contexts and experiences.
Twin Studies To Examine Nature vs. Nurture
- Twin studies are used to examine the relative contributions of genes and environment to development.
- Identical twins share the same genetic code, while fraternal twins share only 50% of their genetic code.
- Researchers can compare the concordance rate (the percentage of pairs of people in which both members of the pair display the trait if one member has it) for identical and fraternal twins to separate genetic from environmental influences.
- Identical twins, reared together or reared apart, have more similar intelligence test scores when compared with either fraternal twins or siblings reared together.
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Description
Explore the critical debates in developmental psychology, focusing on the influence of biological versus environmental factors. Delve into theories by significant figures like Arnold Gesell and John Watson, and understand the concepts of maturation and learning. This quiz will challenge your understanding of how these elements shape human growth and development.
