Module 3.1 - Themes and Methods in Developmental Psychology

Developmental psychology

The study of physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development across the lifespan.

Areas of development studied

Physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development.

Across the lifespan

From conception through old age.

Cross-sectional study

A research method that compares people of different ages at the same point in time.

Longitudinal study

A research method that follows the same individuals over a long period of time.

Strength of cross-sectional studies

Faster and less expensive than longitudinal studies.

Strength of longitudinal studies

Shows real developmental change over time.

Major themes of developmental psychology

Nature and nurture; continuity and stages; stability and change.

Nature

Genetic inheritance and biological influences on development.

Nurture

Environmental influences such as family, culture, education, and experiences.

Nature–nurture interaction

Development results from the interaction of genetic predispositions and environmental influences.

Forces shaping development

Biological, psychological, and social-cultural forces.

Ethnic group differences

Differences between groups are small compared to differences within groups.

Continuity

Development is gradual and continuous, like riding an escalator.

Stages

Development occurs in distinct steps or stages, like climbing a ladder.

Continuity perspective

Emphasizes learning and experience as gradual influences on development.

Stage perspective

Emphasizes biological maturation and genetically predisposed stages.

Jean Piaget

Proposed a stage theory of cognitive development.

Erik Erikson

Proposed a stage theory of psychosocial development.

Usefulness of stage theories

Help explain age-related differences in thinking and behavior and align with brain growth spurts.

Stability

Traits that persist over time.

Change

Traits that evolve or transform across the lifespan.

Temperament

An individual’s characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity that is relatively stable over time.

Temperament stability example

Shy infants often grow into reserved adults.

Social attitudes over time

Less stable than temperament and more likely to change, especially during adolescence.

Personality changes with age

Increased conscientiousness, stability, agreeableness, and self-confidence.

End of history illusion

The belief that we have changed a lot in the past but will change little in the future.

Developmental psychology importance

Helps explain who we are now and how we may change in the future.