Chpt 1 (The Science of Human Development)

Question 1

Classical Conditioning

Answer 1

Learning occurs through association.

Question 2

Cognitive Theory

Answer 2

A theory of human development that focuses on how people think. According to the theory, our thoughts shape our attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors.

Question 3

Cohort

Answer 3

People born within the same historical period who therefore move through life together, experiencing the same events, new technologies, and cultural shifts at the same ages.

Question 4

Critical Period

Answer 4

Time when a particular development must occur. If not (such as when a toxin prevents growth), then it cannot develop later.

Question 5

Cross-Sectional Research

Answer 5

A research design that compares people who differ in age but not in other important characteristics.

Question 6

Cross-Sequential Research

Answer 6

A hybrid research design that includes cross-sectional and longitudinal research.

Question 7

Culture

Answer 7

A system of shared beliefs, norms, behaviors, and expectations that persist over time and prescribe social behavior and assumptions.

Question 8

Dependent Variable

Answer 8

In an experiment, the variable that may change as a result of whatever new condition the researcher adds (independent variable).

Question 9

Difference-equals-deficit error

Answer 9

The mistaken belief that a deviation from some norm is necessarily inferior.

Question 10

Differential Susceptibility

Answer 10

The idea that people vary in how sensitive (for better or worse) they are to particular experiences, either b/c of their genes or b/c of their past experiences. (Also called differential sensitivity)

Question 11

Dynamic-Systems Approach

Answer 11

A view of human development as an ongoing, ever-changing interaction between the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial influences.

Question 12

Ecological-Systems Approach

Answer 12

A perspective on human development that considers all of the influences from the various contexts of development. (Bioecological theory)

Question 13

Ethnic Group

Answer 13

People’s whose ancestors were born in the same region. Usually they share a language, culture, and/or religion.

Question 14

Evolutionary Theory

Answer 14

When used in human development, the idea that many current human emotions and impulses are a legacy from thousands of years ago.

Question 15

Experiment

Answer 15

A research method in which the researcher adds one variable (independent) and then observes the effect on another variable (dependent) to learn if the independent variable causes change in the dependent variable.

Question 16

Hypothesis

Answer 16

A specific prediction that can be tested, and proven or disproved.

Question 17

Independent Variable

Answer 17

In an experiment, the variable that is added by the researcher to see if it affects the dependent variable.

Question 18

Intersectionality

Answer 18

The idea that the various identities need to be combined. This is especially important in determining if discrimination occurs.

Question 19

Life-Span Perspective

Answer 19

An approach to the study of human development that includes all phases, from birth to death.

Question 20

Longitudinal Research

Answer 20

A research design that follows the same individual over time.

Question 21

Operant Conditioning

Answer 21

The learning process that reinforces or punishes a behavior.

Question 22

Plasticity

Answer 22

The idea that abilities, personality, and other human characteristics are moldable, and this can change.

Question 23

Psychoanalytic Theory

Answer 23

A theory of human development that contends that irrational, unconscious drives and motives underlie human behavior. (Freud)

Question 24

Qualitative Research

Answer 24

Research that considers individual qualities instead of quantities (numbers).

Question 25

Quantitative Research

Answer 25

Research that provides data expressed with numbers, such as ranks or scales.

Question 26

Race

Answer 26

The concept that some people are distinct from others because of physical appearance (typically skin color). Social scientists think race is a misleading idea, although race can be a powerful sociological idea, not based in biology.

Question 27

Replication

Answer 27

Repeating a study, usually using different participants, perhaps of another age, SES, or culture.

Question 28

Science of Human Development

Answer 28

The science that seeks to understand how and why people of all ages and circumstances change or remain the same over time.

Question 29

Behaviorism

Answer 29

A theory of human development that studies observable actions. Behaviorism is also called ‘learning theory’ b/c it describes how people learn to do what they do. Behavioralists emphasize nurture, social context, and culture.

Question 30

Scientific Observation

Answer 30

Watching and recording participants’ behavior in a systematic and objective manner- in a natural setting; in a lab, or in searches of archival data.

Question 31

Sensitive Period

Answer 31

A time when a particular developmental growth is most likely to occur, although it may still happen later.

Question 32

Social Construction

Answer 32

An idea that is built on shared perceptions, not on objective reality; A concept created/constructed by a society.

Question 33

Social Learning Theory

Answer 33

A theory that emphasizes the influence of other people. Even without reinforcement, people learn via role models (Also called observational learning).

Question 34

Socioeconomical Status (SES)

Answer 34

A person’s position in society as determined by income, occupation, education, and place of residence.

Question 35

Survey

Answer 35

A research method in which information is collected from a large number of people by interviews, written questionaries, etc.

Question 36

Nature

Answer 36

In development, nature refers to genes. Thus, traits, capacities, and limitations inherited at conception are nature.

Question 37

Nurture

Answer 37

In development, nurture includes all environmental influences that occur after conception, from the mother’s nutrition while pregnant to the culture of the nation.

Question 38

Freud

Answer 38

Developed Psychoanalytic Theory
Psychosexual stages

Question 39

Erikson

Answer 39

Psychodynamic Theory
Psychosocial (including Trust vs Mistrust and Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt)

Question 40

Ethics in Research

Answer 40

Most colleges and hospitals have an Institutional Review Board (IRB), a group who requires research to follow guidelines set by the federal government.