Developmental Psychology and Research Methods Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, research methods, theories, evolution, and developmental concepts from the lecture notes.

Variable

Something in a study that can change or have different values.

Independent Variable (IV)

The variable that is changed, controlled, or used as the predictor.

Dependent Variable (DV)

The outcome that is measured.

Confounding Variable

An outside variable that could affect the results and make it difficult to know what actually caused the outcome.

Hypothesis

A specific, testable prediction about what a researcher expects to happen.

Random (in research)

Determined by chance rather than personal choice or researcher preference.

Random Assignment

Participants are placed into groups by chance.

Random Selection

Participants are selected from a population by chance.

Reliability

The consistency of a measurement or research method.

Validity

How accurately something measures what it is supposed to measure.

Descriptive Research

Research used to describe characteristics, behaviors, or experiences.

Case Study

An in-depth examination of one person, small group, event, or situation.

Qualitative Research

Research focused on experiences, meanings, opinions, or perspectives, usually through detailed descriptions.

Comparative Research

Research comparing two or more groups, individuals, or situations.

Correlational Research

Research examining whether variables are related.

Causal-Comparative Research

Research comparing existing groups to investigate possible explanations for differences.

Cross-Sectional Research

Research studying different ages or groups at the same point in time.

Longitudinal Research

Research following the same individuals over a period of time.

Quasi-Experimental Research

Research similar to an experiment but without full experimental control or random assignment.

Experimental Research

Research in which variables are manipulated under controlled conditions to test cause and effect.

Observation

Collecting information by watching and recording behavior.

Naturalistic Observation

Observing behavior in a person's normal environment.

Laboratory Observation

Observing behavior in a controlled environment.

Survey / Questionnaire

Collecting information by asking participants questions.

Self-Administered Questionnaire

A questionnaire participants complete themselves.

Interview

A researcher directly asks a participant questions and records the responses.

Focus Group

A small group of participants discussing a topic with guidance from a researcher.

Exams / Tests (Data Collection)

Structured assessments used to measure knowledge, abilities, characteristics, or performance.

Main Purpose of Research Ethics

To protect participants and their information.

Do No Harm

Principle that researchers should avoid or minimize unnecessary harm to participants.

Informed Consent

Participants receive important information about a study before voluntarily agreeing to participate.

Confidentiality

Protecting participants' private information.

Data Security

Protecting research information from unauthorized access, theft, loss, or exposure.

Accurate Reporting and Interpretation

Researchers honestly report findings and do not claim the evidence proves something it does not support.

Theory

An organized set of ideas designed to explain development.

Physical Development

Changes involving the body and physical functioning.

Cognitive Development

Changes involving thinking and mental abilities.

Socioemotional Development

Changes involving emotions, relationships, personality, and social interactions.

Nature

Biological and genetic influences on development.

Nurture

Environmental and experiential influences on development.

Continuous Development

Development that occurs gradually.

Discontinuous Development

Development involving distinct stages or qualitative changes.

Quantitative Development

Change in amount or degree.

Qualitative Development

Change in the type or nature of an ability.

Critical Period

A developmental period when certain experiences/processes are necessary.

Sensitive Period

A period when someone is especially responsive to certain experiences, but development can still occur if the experience does not happen during that period.

Freud's Developmental Theory

Psychosexual developmental stage theory focusing on biologically based development and personality.

Id

The unconscious part of personality associated with drives and desires.

Ego

The part of personality dealing with conscious reality and decision-making.

Superego

The part of personality associated with internalized rules and standards.

Erikson's Theory

Psychosocial developmental stage theory covering the lifespan.

Psychosocial

Development involving psychological and social processes.

Piaget's Theory

Cognitive developmental stage theory focusing on how thinking improves and changes through stages.

Constructivism

The idea that people actively construct their understanding through experiences.

Schema

A mental framework used to organize and understand information.

Assimilation

Fitting new information into an existing schema.

Accommodation

Changing an existing schema or creating a new one because new information does not fit.

Equilibration

Balancing existing knowledge with new information.

Behaviorism

An approach focusing on observable behavior and how the environment influences behavior (Stimulus -> Response -> Consequence).

Stimulus

Something that triggers a response.

Response

A behavior or reaction.

Consequence

What happens after a behavior and may influence whether it occurs again.

Vygotsky's Theory

Social constructivist theory emphasizing social interaction, language, and culture in learning and development.

Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)

The range between what someone can do independently and what they can accomplish with help.

Scaffolding

Support provided to help someone perform a task they cannot yet do independently.

Bandura's Theory

Social learning theory proposing that learning can occur through observing other people.

Observational Learning

Learning by watching others.

Modeling

Observing and imitating another person's behavior.

Bronfenbrenner's Theory

Ecological systems theory focusing on environmental and social systems surrounding an individual.

Microsystem

The people/environments a person directly interacts with.

Exosystem

A setting the person does not directly participate in but that can still influence them.

Evolution

Change across generations involving descent with modification/common ancestry.

Descent with Modification

Life shares common ancestry while populations change across generations.

Variation

Differences in characteristics among individuals.

Heritability

Traits having a genetic component that can be passed across generations.

Selection

Differences in survival/reproduction that influence which traits become more common.

Intrasexual Selection

Competition among members of the same sex.

Intersexual Selection

Mate selection/preference between sexes.

Ego Integrity

Feeling satisfied with and accepting of the life you have lived.

Despair

Feeling dissatisfied or regretful when looking back on life.

Wisdom

Acceptance and understanding of one's life and experiences; the ideal virtue associated with ego integrity vs. despair.

Positivity Effect

The tendency for older adults to focus more on positive information and experiences.

Prospective Regret

Anticipating regret before making a decision.

Retrospective Regret

Regret about a decision or event that has already happened.

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

Basic everyday self-care activities needed to function independently (eating, bathing, dressing, transferring, toileting, and walking/moving around).

Transferring (ADL)

Moving between positions, such as getting from a bed into a chair.

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)

More complex activities involved in managing independent life that involve thinking and planning the processes needed to complete an activity.

Independent Living

Living with little or no assistance with everyday activities.

Assisted Living

Living with some assistance while maintaining some independence.

Skilled Nursing Facility

A setting providing greater nursing, medical, and personal care.

Procedural Memory

Memory for how to perform skills and actions (DO).

Episodic Memory

Memory for specific personal events and experiences (EXPERIENCE).

Semantic Memory

Memory for facts, meanings, concepts, and general knowledge (KNOW).

Variable

Something in a study that can change or have different values.

Independent Variable (IV)

The variable that is changed, controlled, or used as the predictor.

Dependent Variable (DV)

The outcome that is measured.

Confounding Variable

An outside variable that could affect the results and make it difficult to know what actually caused the outcome.

Hypothesis

A specific, testable prediction about what a researcher expects to happen.

Random (in research)

Determined by chance rather than personal choice or researcher preference.

Random Assignment

Participants are placed into groups by chance.