Chapter 1 Summary

science of human development

The science that seeks to understand how and why people of all ages and circumstances change or remain the same over time.

scientific method

A way to answer questions using empirical research and data-based conclusions.

hypothesis

A specific prediction that can be tested and proven or disproven.

replication

Repeating a study, usually using different participants.

nature

In development, nature refers to genes, traits, capacities, and limitations inherited at conception.

nurture

In development, nurture includes all environmental influences that occur after conception.

differential susceptibility

The idea that people vary in how sensitive they are to particular experiences.

adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)

Childhood experiences that have harmful effects on development.

life-span perspective

An approach to studying human development that includes all phases from birth to death.

critical period

Time when a particular development must occur or it will not occur later.

sensitive period

A time when a particular developmental growth is most likely to occur.

ecological-systems approach

A perspective that considers all influences from various contexts of development.

cohort

People born within the same historical period who experience the same events together.

culture

A system of shared beliefs, norms, behaviors, and expectations that persist over time.

social construction

An idea built on shared perceptions, not on objective reality.

difference-equals-deficit error

The mistaken belief that a deviation from some norm is necessarily inferior.

ethnic group

People whose ancestors were born in the same region and usually share a language, culture, and/or religion.

race

The concept that some people are distinct due to physical appearance, typically skin color.

socioeconomic status (SES)

A person's position in society as determined by income, occupation, education, and residence.

plasticity

The idea that abilities, personality, and other human characteristics are moldable and can change.

dynamic-systems approach

A view of human development as an ongoing interaction between influences.

developmental theory

A group of ideas, assumptions, and generalizations about human growth.

behaviorism

A theory that studies observable actions and describes how people learn.

operant conditioning

The learning process that reinforces or punishes behavior.

reinforcement

A positive experience that follows a behavior, making it likely to occur again.

social learning theory

A theory that emphasizes the influence of role models on learning.

cognitive theory

A theory that focuses on how people think and how thoughts shape attitudes.

evolutionary theory

The idea that many current human emotions and impulses are legacies from the past.

survey

A research method that collects information from a large number of people.

scientific observation

Watching and recording behavior in a systematic and objective manner.

experiment

A research method that adds one variable to observe effects on another variable.

independent variable

The variable added by the researcher to see if it affects the dependent variable.

dependent variable

The variable that may change as a result of the independent variable.

cross-sectional research

A research design comparing people who differ in age.

longitudinal research

A research design that follows the same individuals over time.

cross-sequential research

A hybrid research design that includes cross-sectional and longitudinal research.

correlation quantitative research

A number indicating how much two variables are related, without indicating causation.

quantitative research

Research that provides data expressed in numbers.

qualitative research

Research considering individual qualities instead of quantities.