Lecture 2

Question 1

What is the sensitive period?

Answer 1

An optimal time for certain capacities to emerge. The individual is especially response to environment. Boundaries are less clearly defined than a critical period.

Question 2

What is Vygotskys sociocultural theory?

Answer 2

See document/textbook

Question 3

What does Vygotskys sociocultural theory emphasize?

Answer 3

Transmission of CULTURE to the new generation. And that social interaction is vital for cognitive development (dialogues with more knowledgable members of society).

Question 4

What is the ecological systems theory?

Answer 4

See in textbook/ document. (know the levels, meso, exo, macro, etc).

Question 5

What is the dynamic systems perspective?

Answer 5

See textbook/ document.

Question 6

What is a hypothesis?

Answer 6

Prediction drawn directly from a theory.

Question 7

What are research designs?

Answer 7

Overall plans for research studies.

Question 8

Know the designs:

Answer 8

Correlational, experimental

Question 9

What are the two types of systematic observation?

Answer 9

Naturalistic and structured.

Question 10

What is naturalistic observation?

Answer 10

In the “field” or natural environment where behaviour happens.

Question 11

What is structured observation?

Answer 11

Laboratory situation set up to evoke behaviour of interest. All participants have equal chance to display behaviour.

Question 12

What are case studies?

Answer 12

Brings together a wide range of information, including interviews, observations and test scores. Best used to study unique types. May be subjective.

Question 13

What is a clinical interview?

Answer 13

Flexible, conversational style. Probes for participant’s point of view. May not be accurate.

Question 14

What is the structured interview?

Answer 14

Each participant is asked the same questions in the same way. May use questionnaires to get answers. Not as in-depth.

Question 15

Do immigrant children adapt well?

Answer 15

Yes. The experience is not problem-free, but supervision, community and family cohesion help for success.

Question 16

What is a correlational design?

Answer 16

Researchers gather information and make no effort to alter their experiences. Limited because cause and effect cannot be inferred.

Question 17

Correlation coefficients: What is the magnitude of the number?

Answer 17

Indicates the strength of the relationship. Size of the number between 1 and 0. Closer to 1 (positive or negative) is a stronger relationship.

Question 18

Correlation coefficients: What is the sign of the number (+ or -)?

Answer 18

Indicates the direction of the relationship. Positive (+) means as one variable increases, so does the other. Negative (-) means as one variable increases, the other decreases.

Question 19

What are the two modified experiments in research?

Answer 19

Field and Natural experiments.

Question 20

What are field experiments?

Answer 20

Use rare opportunities for random assignment in natural settings.

Question 21

What are natural experiments?

Answer 21

Compare differences in treatment that already exist. Groups are chosen to match characteristics as much as possible.

Question 22

Can musical experience enhance intelligence?

Answer 22

“Mozart effect.” Must be long-lasting and participatory to provide lasting gains. Other enrichment activities may produce similar gains.

Question 23

What are children’s research rights?

Answer 23

1. Protection from harm.
2. Informed consent.
3. Privacy.
4. Knowledge of results.
5. Beneficial treatments.