Introduction to Developmental Psych

Question 1

Definition of Development

Answer 1

Systematic change from birth to death (“womb to
tomb”)

Question 2

Systematic

Answer 2

long-term and sustainable
- not temporary changes

Question 3

Identify important characteristics of development

CHUMPL

Answer 3

1. Lifelong process
   - changes that occur throughout life
2. Multidirectional
   - idea that different components of an individuals dimensions can grow or shrink at different points throughout development
3. Plastic
   - Developmental pathways are not predetermined and can be changed
   - Idea of optimization
4. Holistic
   - Physical, cognitive and social development are interwoven
   - Comes from the idea that we are a whole
   - We have different aspects to us and they form something complete together
5. Contextually bounded
   - Development is shaped and influenced by culture and society
   - Environment can have more or less influence whereas context means you are interacting
   -– it effects you
   -– psychologically closer than the idea of environment
6. Universal and culture specific
   - some phenomenons may be universal while others may be culture specific

Question 4

Describe different forms of developmental change

Answer 4

1. Continuous
   - quantitative: Development is additive
2. Discontinuous
   - qualitative: Development occurs abruptly

Question 5

Define stability and describe different forms of stability

Answer 5

Stability: no change
1. Absolute stability
- no change at all
2. Positional stability
- Individuals keep their relative position
- example; IQ, shyness

Question 6

Identify three main factors that contribute to development

EnGIn

Answer 6

1. Genes
   - Genes influence development more than environmental factors (parents, friends, media etc.).
2. Environment
   - Environmental factors contribute more to development than genetic factors.
3. Individual activity
   - Individuals do not have much influence over their course of development.
   - Individuals influence their own development.

Question 7

Summarize differences between endogenous and exogenous views of development

Answer 7

1. Endogenous
   - Development = Maturation
   - Development is fully determined by genes
   - Intervention is useless
2. Exogenous
   - Development is fully determined by environmental factors
   - Development = Learning

Question 8

Describe major characteristics of the
developmental systems view

Answer 8

• Development is dynamic interaction of biological factors (genes), environmental factors (experience) and individual activity
• All three factors need to come together, are not separable