Child Psychology PSYC 301 Lecture Notes

These flashcards cover key concepts from the Child Psychology PSYC 301 lecture, focusing on important theories, methods, and terminology in developmental psychology.

Erik Erikson

A developmental psychologist known for his theory on psychosocial development across the lifespan, which includes eight stages of development.

Psychoanalytic Theory

A theory by Erikson focusing on the influence of social and cultural factors on psychosocial development.

Behaviorism

A theory by John Watson asserting that all behavior can be explained by responses to external stimuli, emphasizing rewards and punishments.

Cognitive Development

A field founded by Jean Piaget which accounts for the changes in children's thinking throughout development.

Hypothesis

A prediction about behavior drawn from a theory, which can be tested experimentally.

Reliability

The degree to which measurements are consistent across different instances.

Validity

The extent to which a test measures what it is intended to measure.

Internal Validity

The degree to which an experiment accurately measures the relationship between the independent and dependent variables without interference from confounding variables.

External Validity

The extent to which results of a study can be generalized to other situations or populations.

Self-report

A research method where participants provide information about themselves, typically through questionnaires or interviews.

Naturalistic Observation

A research technique where behavior is observed in its natural context without manipulation.

Structured Observation

A research method that involves observing behavior in a controlled environment with predefined criteria.

Empirical Evidence

Information acquired by observation or experimentation that is used to validate theories.

Developmental Psychology

The scientific study of how individuals change from infancy through old age.

Quantitative Research

Research that focuses on quantifying relationships, behaviors, or phenomena, often using statistical analyses.

Qualitative Research

Research that seeks to understand behavior and the reasons that govern such behavior through interviews, observations, and open-ended questions.

Nurture vs. Nature

A debate in psychology about the relative importance of genetics (nature) and environment (nurture) in shaping behavior.