Intro/Lifespan Development

Lifespan Development

The study of the changes that occur in human beings over the course of their life.

Domains of Human Development

Different areas in human development including physical, cognitive, and psychosocial.

Physical Domain

Includes height, weight, motor skills, brain development, puberty, and aging.

Cognitive Domain

Includes language development, thinking, learning, memory, and moral reasoning.

Psychosocial Domain

Encompasses psychological and social development, including emotions, personality, and relationships.

Continuous Development

A gradual process where development is a cumulative process.

Discontinuous Development

Development occurs in unique stages at specific times or ages.

One Course of Development

The idea that development is essentially the same for everyone and is universal.

Many Courses of Development

The concept that development varies based on individual genetics, environment, and culture.

Nature versus Nurture

The debate regarding the influence of biology versus environment on human development.

Prenatal Development

Development that occurs from conception to birth, comprising germinal, embryonic, and fetal periods.

Infancy and Toddlerhood

The developmental period from birth to two years.

Early Childhood

A stage of development from ages 2 to 5 or 6.

Middle Childhood

Developmental period from ages 6 to 11.

Adolescence

The stage of human development from ages 12 to 18.

Early Adulthood

A life stage encompassing late teens through thirties.

Middle Adulthood

A stage of development from ages 40 to mid-60s.

Late Adulthood

The stage starting at age 65 and continuing through the rest of life.

Baltes' Lifespan Perspective

A framework by Paul Baltes that studies development across the entire lifespan.

Lifelong Development

The understanding that development occurs throughout an individual's entire life.

Multidimensional Development

Development influenced by a combination of biological, cognitive, and socioemotional changes.

Multidirectional Development

Development characterized by both gains and losses throughout life.

Plasticity in Development

The concept that human development is malleable and can change over time.

Contextual Influences

Factors like family, culture, and socioeconomic status that affect individual development.

Normative Age-Graded Influences

Biological and environmental events strongly correlated with age, like puberty.

Normative History-Graded Influences

Influences based on historical events, such as wars or technological advances.

Nonnormative Influences

Unpredictable life events not tied to a specific age or historical periods.

Cohort

A group of people born around the same time who experience similar influences.

Socioeconomic Status (SES)

A measure based on education, income, and occupation that affects lifestyles.

Culture

The shared practices and beliefs that shape individuals and their values.

Ethnocentrism

The belief that one's own culture is superior to others.

Cultural Relativity

The understanding and appreciation of cultural differences.

Multidisciplinary Approach

The incorporation of multiple fields to study lifespan development comprehensively.

Experiential Reality

Knowledge based on personal experience.

Agreement Reality

Knowledge based on cultural consensus or what others have shared.

Scientific Method

A systematic approach to understanding phenomena through empirical research.

Random Sampling

A technique ensuring each participant has an equal chance of selection.

Quantitative Research

Research focusing on quantifying relationships and utilizing statistics.

Qualitative Research

Research grounded in exploring experiences and feelings.

Descriptive Studies

Research aimed at describing phenomena through various means like observation.

Correlational Research

Research testing if a relationship exists between two or more variables.

Experimental Research

Research designed to test hypotheses about cause and effect relationships.

Hawthorne Effect

The phenomenon where individuals alter their behavior when aware of being observed.

Longitudinal Research Design

Research measuring the same individuals repeatedly over time to assess changes.

Cross-Sectional Research Design

Research comparing participants of different ages at the same point in time.

Sequential Research Design

Research that includes elements of both longitudinal and cross-sectional designs.

Ethical Research Concerns

Considerations ensuring research is conducted ethically and with participant safety.

Informed Consent

Agreement by participants to engage in research after being informed of its nature.

Attrition

The loss of participants during a study, often impacting longitudinal research.

Selective Attrition

When specific groups of participants are more likely to drop out of a study.