TECA 1354 TEXTBOOK NOTES.

Development is characterized by

plasticity, which is our ability to change and that many of our characteristics are malleable.

Development is multicontextual.

We are influenced by both nature (genetics) and nurture (the environment.

Developmentalists

those that study development

Prenatal Development

conception through birth

Infancy and Toddlerhood

birth through two years

Early Childhood

3 to 5 years

Middle Childhood

6 to 11 years

Adolescence

12 years to adulthood

teratogens

environmental factors that can lead to birth defects

Observational studies

involve watching and recording the actions of participants.

Experiments

are designed to test hypotheses (or specific statements about the relationship between variables) in a controlled setting in efforts to explain how certain factors or events produce outcomes.

Case studies

involve exploring a single case or situation in great detail. Information may be gathered with the use of observation, interviews, testing, or other methods to uncover as much as possible about a person or situation.

Surveys

A survey involves asking a standard set of questions to a group of subjects

Developmental designs

These techniques try to examine how age, cohort, gender, and social class impact development.

Longitudinal research

involves beginning with a group of people who may be of the same age and background, and measuring them repeatedly over a long period of time.

Cross-sectional research

involves respondents who vary in age, gender, ethnicity, and social class might be asked to complete a survey about television program preferences or attitudes toward the use of the Internet.

Sequential research

involves combining aspects of the previous two techniques; beginning with a cross-sectional sample and measuring them through time.