Chp 12.1 Development and Research Designs

Question 1

What is development?

Answer 1

“The systematic continuities and changes in an individual over the course of life (Shaffer et al., 2013).”

Question 2

What Causes Development? (4)

Answer 2

• Interaction between genetics and environment
• Changes resulting from…
• aging process as determined by our genes
• experience or practice

Question 3

Nature & Nurture

Answer 3

• Genes interact with experiences to shape psychological development.

Question 4

Developmental Psychologists may study… (2)

Answer 4

• how a behaviour changes over time

* Why a behaviour occurs from a developmental perspective

Question 5

cross-sectional design (and pros and cons) (3)

Answer 5

Pro: indicates diff among age groups
Con: Age effects can be confounded with cohort effects (eg. History like: experience COVID, may not be related with developmental)

Question 6

longitudinal design (and pros and cons) (3)

Answer 6

Pro: Can identify similarities in development and also individual diff
Con: attrition (ppl drop out of the study), significant resources (expensive); findings may be unique to specific cohort (don’t apply to other age groups)

Question 7

sequential design (and pros and cons) (3)

Answer 7

Pro: Overcomes some major limitations of cross-sectional & longitudinal studies
Con: Time consuming; costly