Evolution & Human development #1

Exam #1

Variables

Any characteristic that has more than one possible value or more than one characteristic. For example, gender, race, personality, race, age.

Independent Variable

The factor that the scientist deliberately changes or manipulates. It is the cause in a cause-and-effect relationship.

Dependent Variable

The factor that is measured or observed. It changes in response to the independent variable and represents the results of the experiment.

Confounding Variable

A variable not accounted for.

Hypothesis

Educated guess, a prediction of the outcome

Random

Unpredictable, independent of other events, and has equal chances.

Reliability

Consistent, has a pattern.

Validity

Accurate

Descriptive

Case and Qualitative studies.

Case Study

A very in-depth look, limited number, “one case”.

Qualitative studies

Stories and descriptive.

Comparative

Correlational and Causal-comparative

Correlational study

Looking at relationships

Causal-comparative

Looking at groups and how variables change

Time differences

Cross-sectional and Longitudinal

Cross-sectional

Looking at one set of individuals. Looking at a cross-section could be years back.

Longitudinal

a long study, following the same group over time.

Quasi-experiment

sort of, controlling what you can.

Data collection

Observations, surveys/questionnaires, exams/tests

Observations

Naturalistic and Lab

Naturalistic observations

Researchers watch and record subjects in their real-world environments without interfering or manipulating any variables.

Lab Observations

Watching subjects in a structured, specialized room or facility and having high control over variables, triggers, and surroundings.

Ethical Research

Protections of participants and their information

Protections of participants and their information

Do not harm, consent, confidentiality, data security

What is a theory?

A hypothesis or a statement. It has proof, holds up, and is falsifiable. They are important because they help us understand.

Stages of development

Prenatal, Infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood

Aspects of development

Physical, cognitive, socioemotional

Characteristics of development

Sequences tend to be universal. Rates and timing differ across and within individuals. Abilities become more integrated and specialized.

Issues in development

Nature and nurture influences. Continuous (quantitative) and discontinuous (qualitative) types. Critical and sensitive periods.

Nature influences

Biological genetics. Traits we are born with that can influence who we are.

Nurture influences

Influences on who we are related to more environmental factors, how we’re raised, nutrition, education, and social factors.

Continuous (quantitative)

Quantity, amount: height and weight.

Discontinuous (qualitative)

Stage, a quality of development that is different from another stage. Piaget’s theory, Erikson’s theory, and Freud’s theory.

Critical periods

A window of time where we have to be exposed to some sort of environmental influences or it becomes harder, if not impossible to learn. For example, language.

Sensitive periods

Less critical, where we tend to be better at picking things up at that time. For example, socialization.

Developmental stage theories

Freud’s psychosexual (biological), Erikson’s psychosocial (social-cultural), and Piaget’s cognitive (cognitive).

Freud’s psychosexual developmental stage theory.

One of the first qualitative development theories. Biologically situated and related to personality. Focused on the nature of the development of the self. Developing the first theory of personality.

Freud’s Personality theory

Ego, Superego, and Id.

Ego

Conscious, public face.

Superego

Preconscious, doing the right thing (angel).

Id

Unconscious: desires, impulses (devil).

Erikson’s psychosocial developmental stage theory

Theory covers the lifespan, crises in development, integrity vs. despair, and resolution relies on social influences.

Piaget's cognitive developmental stage theory

Focus on how thinking improves with each stage