PSYC 112 Lecture 1: The Study of Child Development

Vocabulary flashcards covering the definitions, big questions, and research concepts from the introductory lecture on child development.

Development

The sequence of physical and psychological changes that human beings undergo as they grow older.

Developmental Psychology

The scientific study of age-related changes in behaviour, thinking, emotion, and personality.

Continuity and Change

The big question in developmental psychology regarding the extent to which development is characterised by continuous change versus discontinuities that result in new forms and processes.

Sources of Development

The big question in developmental psychology (Nature versus Nurture) regarding whether development is guided by the genetic programme in cells or by the external environment.

Nature versus Nurture

The debate over whether development is driven by genetic programmes (Nature) or the external environment (Nurture).

Individual Differences

The big question in developmental psychology regarding how people come to have stable characteristics that differentiate them from all other people.

Critical period

An age range during which certain experiences must occur for development to proceed normally or along a certain path.

Sensitive period

An optimal age range for certain experiences; if those experiences occur at another time, normal development is still possible.

Data Collection Methods

Techniques used in developmental psychology research consisting of Self-Report, Observation, and Experimental Methods.

Research Design Types

Methodological frameworks used in developmental research consisting of Longitudinal Design and Cross-Sectional Design.

Developmental age

A metric used in clinical psychology to identify when development may be delayed or atypical by knowing what behaviours are normal at different ages.

Quantitative Change (Continuity)

A gradual increase or decrease in something that can be measured, such as a child's vocabulary increasing as they learn more words.

Qualitative Change (Discontinuity)

A change in type or ability where development occurs in stages rather than gradually, such as a child progressing from crawling to standing to walking.