3.1: Developmental Psychology Themes and Methods

These flashcards cover key concepts related to themes and methods in developmental psychology, including research designs, stability and change, and the nature versus nurture debate.

Stability and Change

Refers to the extent to which individuals' traits and behaviors remain consistent (stability) or transform significantly (change) over time.

Nature Versus Nurture Debate

Involves the relative contributions of genetic inheritance (nature) and environmental factors (nurture) to human development.

Continuous Development

Suggests that development is a gradual, cumulative process of adding more of the same types of skills that were there to begin with.

Discontinuous Development

Posits that development occurs in distinct stages, with qualitative changes leading to new behaviors and ways of thinking.

Cross-Sectional Research

A research design involving observing or testing different individuals of various ages at a single point in time to compare age-related differences.

Longitudinal Research

Involves studying the same group of individuals over an extended period to track changes and developments within that group.

Advantages of Cross-Sectional Research

Time-efficient and cost-effective; avoids issues related to participant dropout.

Disadvantages of Longitudinal Research

Time-consuming and expensive; susceptible to participant dropout; potential for practice effects.