Chapter 1 - The Science of Human Development Flashcards
Science of human development
The science that seeks to understand why all people change or remain the same
Scientific method
- Pose a question
- Develop a hypothesis
- Test the hypothesis
- Draw conclusions (support or refute)
- Report the results
Empirical data
Evidence based on observation, experience, or experiment. NOT theory or opinion
Replication
Repeating a specific scientific method with differing subjects to reinforce or reject conclusions
Nature
The influence of genes on an organism
Nurture
Environmental influences on an organism
Epigenetics
The study of how environmental factors affect gene expression
Differential susceptibility
The idea that the effect of any experience differs from one person to another due to particular genes that a person has inherited
‘Dandelion’ v. ‘Orchid’
Refers to concept of differential susceptibility
Dandelion children - Hardy and growing regardless of rearing
Orchid children - Require stricter conditions and reading in order to thrive
Lifespan perspective
Approach to human developments study that encompasses all phases of life from conception until death
What are the classic age ranges when considering development
Infant: 0-2 years Early childhood: 2-6 years Middle childhood: 6-11 years Adolescence: 11- 18 years Emerging adulthood: 18-25 years Adulthood: 25-65 years Late adulthood: 65+ years
What does it mean when development is referred as “multi-directional”
That there are various patterns of growth, and not just a linear growth from infancy to adulthood
Critical period
Time when a particular development must occur. If it does not then it can not develop later
E.g. The development of extremities in a fetus between 28 to 54 days
Sensitive period
Time when a particular developmental growth is likely to appear, but can appear at a later time
e.g. Learning a language fluently between ages 1 to 3
Ecological-systems approach
Presented by Urie Bronfenbrenner
A perspective on human development that considers all of the influences from various contexts of development
What are the levels of the ecological-system model (from specific to generalized)
The Developing Person - Factors such as age, sex, health, etc.
- Microsystem - Family, classroom, neighborhood, and other local systems that the individual interacts with
- Mesosystem - Interaction of the micro- and exo- systems
- Exosystem - Overarching systems such as the educational system, medical institutions, mass media, etc.
- Macrosystem - Cultural patterns, and economic philosophies, and social conditions
- Chronosystem - The context of time, changing conditions and societal patterns through the ages
Cohort
A group defined by it’s members shared age
Socioeconomic status (SES)
A person’s position in society as determined by income, occupation, education, and place of residence
Culture
The system of shared beliefs, conventions, norms, behaviors, expectations, and symbolic representations that persist over time and prescribe social rules of conduct
True or false: A blue-collar worker and a college graduate with a masters degree who both make $18,000 are of the same socioeconomic status
False. SES is also based on other factors, not just income. The fact that the college graduate has a degree that is held in higher regard socially means that they are of a higher SES just by that virtue
Social construction
An idea that is built on shared perceptions, but NOT an objective reality
Difference-equals-deficit error
The mistaken belief held by many that a deviation from some norm is necessarily form
Guided participation
Concept by Russian developmentalist Lev Vygotsky
A universal process used by mentors to teach cultural knowledge, skills, and habits
Ethic group
People who’s ancestors were born in the same region. Usually share a language, culture, and/or religion
