Week 2

Question 1

What is a theory?

Answer 1

• A ‘theoretical’ framework aiming to explain human development
• Incorporates many ‘assumptions’
• Help guide research and practice.
• Micro-theory: narrow scope
• Macro-theory: encompass large fields of development

Question 2

Whats a micro theory?

Answer 2

narrow scope

Question 3

Whats a macro theory

Answer 3

encompass large fields of development

Question 4

What is research?

Answer 4

• Collect data to test and refine theories and hypotheses (predictions)
• Derive concrete observations/findings.
• Help guide future research, practice, and policy.

Question 5

Types OF DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY RESEARCH

Answer 5

Case study’s
Naturalistic observations
experiments
self reports
assessment

Question 6

What is a case study

Answer 6

• In-depth focus on one individual, group, or event
• Aim is to fully understand that experience by compiling a complete picture

Question 7

What is naturalistic observation

Answer 7

• observing the habits of an individual group in their natural setting
• goal is to limit researcher intrusion
• increases validity but open to real life subjectivity and interpretation
• often need two observers to check the accuracy of data

Question 8

What are experiments?

Answer 8

• aim is to test hypotheses by manipulating one specific variable at a time
• impose a tight level of control over the testing environment and any influencing factors
• Controls may mean that the findings are not generalisable

Question 9

Self report

Answer 9

• individuals report on their experience and perspectives
• often via interviews or surveys
• allows us to get insight into functioning thats not always observable
• open to reporting bias
• requires a level of recall and level of insight into behaviours

Question 10

Whats the multi-informant approach to self-report data

Answer 10

• When collecting self report data its sometimes best to collect multiple sources of data.
• We can gather different perspectives and information from different sources and then collate them together

-If we want to know about a child’s development might ask child as well as parent and teacher

Question 11

What are assessments?

Answer 11

• Include a standardised assessment of functioning or
  performance
• Establishes a standardised and objective approach
• Quality of test relies on the quality of the items and
  whether they work equally well for all individuals (diverse
  backgrounds)

Question 12

What are some examples of assessments?

Answer 12

• Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC)
• National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy
  (NAPLAN)
• Birth weight
• Mental State Examination

Question 13

What are corrolational studies?

Answer 13

Correlational studies are a type of non-experimental research used to examine the relationship between two or more variables without manipulating them.

No manipulation: Researchers do not intervene or change variables—just observe them as they naturally occur.

Measurement only: Variables are measured to see if they are related.

Question 14

What are the types of correlational designs?

Answer 14

Cross-sectional
Longitutal
Cross-sequential

Question 15

What is a cross section design?

Answer 15

Studies a group of participants at one point in time.

Question 16

What are the advantages of a cross-sectional design?

Answer 16

• Can examine differences between participants
• Can examine differences according to age OR explore one particular age/stage in-depth
• Cost-effective and time efficient

Question 17

What are the disadvantages of a cross-sectional design?

Answer 17

• Can’t distinguish between age effects (variation in experiences due to chronological age) and cohort effects (social and historical changes affecting a specific group with a shared event) –> dont know if its age or the experience that is causing difference
• Can explore associations between variables (e.g., personality and mental health) but only at one time. Difficult to infer cause and effect

Question 18

What is a longitutdal design?

Answer 18

Studies the same group of participants over multiple time-points

Question 19

What are the advantages of a longitudinal design?

Answer 19

• Study developmental trajectories over time
• Can explore how early experiences (predictors) relate to later development (outcomes)

Question 20

What are the disadvantages?

Answer 20

• Expensive (time and resource intensive)
• Attrition (drop-out over time)

Question 21

What is a cross-sequential design?

Answer 21

A cross-sequential design studies multiple age groups (like a cross-sectional study) and then follows them over time (like a longitudinal study).

• Combines cross-sectional and longitudinal research. Multiple groups followed across multiple time points.
• Allows investigation of development among individuals over time.
• Allows investigation of differences in development between groups of different ages

Question 22

What was the Longitudinal Study Of Australian
Children (LSAC)

Answer 22

• Aim: to track the development of 10,000 children and their families across Australia.
• The study investigates the effect of children’s social, economic, and cultural environments on their wellbeing over the life course.
• Collect data every 2 years, and are up to the 9th wave of data collection.
• Commenced study with a birth cohort and a Kindergarten cohort

Question 23

What was the Growing up In australia Longitudinal Study Of Australian Children (LSAC) data collection methods?

Answer 23

• questionnaires
• asked parents
• diaries
• teacher questionnaires
• child questionares
• motor skill assessment
• IQ
• blood pressure

Question 24

Findings of Australian
Children (LSAC) data collection methods?

Answer 24

• most children grow up in houses
• cost of house is largest expense
• early education contributes to children cognative, emotive and social wellbeing

Question 25

What is the Footprints in time Longitudinal Study Of Indigenous Children (LSIC)

Answer 25

Aim: to track the development of over 1,700 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families across Australia. * By interviewing children and young people over time, the study can determine factors that give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children the best start in life to grow up strong. * Collect data every year, and are up to the 15th wave of data collection * Like LSAC, LSIC also commenced study with a birth cohort and a Kindergarten cohort.