HDSF Study Guide Pg.1

Behaviorism

The study of behaviors that we can observe - behaviors are influenced by the physical and social environment

Bioecological systems theory

Individuals’ development emerges from interconnected environmental systems, culture, and families

Classical Conditioning

Associating environmental stimuli with physiological responses

Cognitive-developmental theory

People actively process information through thinking and feeling emotion. Their thoughts and feelings influence behavior.

Cohort

Group of people who are roughly born in the same time period

Context

Physical, cognitive, and psychological changes that occur in humans throughout life

Continuous development

The view of growth, learning, and change occurs gradually and incrementally over the entire lifespan

Correlation Research

Used to determine the degree of relationship/association between two or more variables

Cross- sectional research

Compares individuals of different ages at the same point in time to examine differences in behaviors, abilities, or characteristics across the life span

Culture

Shared set of adaptations to the physical and social world

Discontinuous development

Growth that occurs in distinct, abrupt stages/ leaps rather than smoothly or gradually

Ethological Theory

Explains human behavior through the innate lens of biologically based patterns shaped by evolution, genetics, and biological processes

Evolutionary developmental theory

The idea that humans have characteristics due to natural selection

Experimental research

Determines cause-and-effect relationships between variables by manipulating one factor and controlling the other.

Information processing theory

Humans gradually improve their processing skills; continuous development

Lifespan Human development

Study of physical, cognitive, and psychosocial changes that occur in humans from conception to death

Open-ended interview

Researchers are broad enough which allows participants to respond in their own words. Gives rich detailed information

Operant conditioning