Adolescent Development Methods Review

A collection of vocabulary flashcards created to assist in studying key concepts in adolescent development and research methods.

Continuity/Discontinuity

Refers to average or mean levels of a sample or population; measures if the amount of a trait, characteristic, or skill is increasing, decreasing, or staying the same.

Stability/Instability

Refers to individual differences in growth trajectories; examines if individuals maintain their rankings over time.

Correlation Coefficient (r)

A statistical measure that describes the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables, ranging from -1.00 to +1.00.

Cross-Sectional Design

A research design that studies different age groups at the same time to obtain a snapshot of developmental trends.

Longitudinal Design

A research design that assesses the same participants repeatedly over a period of time to study changes and development.

Experimental Group

The group in an experiment that receives the treatment or intervention being tested.

Control Group

The group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment or intervention; used for comparison.

Falsifiability

A principle of the scientific method requiring that claims must be able to be proven false; essential for a hypothesis to be considered scientific.

Naturalistic Observation

A method of observing individuals in their natural environment without manipulation or intervention.

Structured Observation

A method where specific behaviors are observed under controlled conditions; researchers create the context for the behavior.

Open Interview

A qualitative interview method where participants may be asked different questions, allowing for depth in exploring responses.

Self-Report

A data collection method where individuals provide information about their own cognitions, feelings, or behaviors.

Discontinuity and Instability

Refers to changes in average levels of a trait across individuals and the variation in these changes among individuals.

Normative Development

Typical patterns of development observed in a population.

Atypical Development

Deviations from typical developmental patterns, which may indicate developmental delays or disorders.

Research Design

Framework for conducting research, which dictates how data will be collected and analyzed.

Psychological Theory

A framework that explains and predicts mental processes and behavior based on observed patterns.