Theoretical Perspectives on Lifespan Development and Research Methods
Introduction
This guide covers the second part of the introduction session in lifespan development.
Required reading includes chapter one of the textbook by Feldman.
Focus areas include:
Theoretical perspectives on lifespan development (Humanistic, Contextual, Evolutionary perspectives).
Research methods in developmental psychology.
Theoretical Perspectives on Lifespan Development
Overview
Lifespan development is examined through different perspectives:
Overview
Lifespan development is examined through different perspectives:
Psychodynamic
Behavioral
Cognitive
Humanistic
Contextual
Evolutionary
Psychodynamic Perspective
Emphasizes unconscious determinants of behavior.
Behavioral Perspective
Focuses on observable behavior and how it is shaped by environmental stimuli.
Cognitive Perspective
Centered on internal mental processes, such as thoughts, memory, and problem-solving, and their influence on development.
Humanistic Perspective
Definition: The Humanistic perspective posits that individuals possess an inherent capacity to make decisions about their lives and control their behavior.
Key Proponents: Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow
Free Will: Humans have the ability to make choices and decisions.
Self-Actualization: The primary goal, representing self-fulfillment and achievement of one’s highest potential uniquely.
Positive Regard: Rogers argues that individuals crave love and respect from others, influencing self-worth and self-perception.
Critique: Despite its ideals, the humanistic perspective has limited impact on lifespan development studies due to its inability to outline broad developmental changes with age or experience.
Contextual Perspective
Definition: This perspective considers the individual in relation to their various environments, including physical, cognitive, personality-based, and social contexts.
Central Theories:
Bronfenbrenner's Bioecological Approach
Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory
Bronfenbrenner's Bioecological Approach
Levels of Environment:
Microsystem: Immediate environments (homes, caregivers, friends).
Mesosystem: Interconnections within microsystems (parents, teachers).
Exosystem: Broader influences (local government, community institutions).
Macrosystem: Larger societal cultural influences (government, values).
Chronosystem: Time-related influences on development (historical events).
Key Insight: Emphasizes interconnectedness and cultural factors affecting development, including individualism and collectivism.
Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory
Main Idea: Cognitive development arises from social interactions within cultural contexts.
Concept of Scaffolding: Children learn through problem-solving interactions with adults and peers, gaining cultural understanding.
Emphasis on Reciprocity: Development occurs through reciprocal transactions between the child and their environment.
Critique: Some argue the contextual perspective underrepresents biological influences.
Evolutionary Perspective
Definition: This approach aims to identify behaviors linked to genetic inheritance from ancestors, rooted in natural selection.
Key Concepts:
Behaviors such as jealousy or shyness may have genetic roots influencing survival.
Ethological aspects: Coined by Konrad Lorenz, showcasing innate behaviors (e.g., geese imprinting).
**Behavioral Genetics
Behavioral
Cognitive
Humanistic
Contextual
Evolutionary
Humanistic Perspective
Definition: The Humanistic perspective posits that individuals possess an inherent capacity to make decisions about their lives and control their behavior.
Key Proponents: Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow
Free Will: Humans have the ability to make choices and decisions.
Self-Actualization: The primary goal, representing self-fulfillment and achievement of one’s highest potential uniquely.
Positive Regard: Rogers argues that individuals crave love and respect from others, influencing self-worth and self-perception.
Critique: Despite its ideals, the humanistic perspective has limited impact on lifespan development studies due to its inability to outline broad developmental changes with age or experience.
Contextual Perspective
Definition: This perspective considers the individual in relation to their various environments, including physical, cognitive, personality-based, and social contexts.
Central Theories:
Bronfenbrenner's Bioecological Approach
Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory
Bronfenbrenner's Bioecological Approach
Levels of Environment:
Microsystem: Immediate environments (homes, caregivers, friends).
Mesosystem: Interconnections within microsystems (parents, teachers).
Exosystem: Broader influences (local government, community institutions).
Macrosystem: Larger societal cultural influences (government, values).
Chronosystem: Time-related influences on development (historical events).
Key Insight: Emphasizes interconnectedness and cultural factors affecting development, including individualism and collectivism.
Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory
Main Idea: Cognitive development arises from social interactions within cultural contexts.
Concept of Scaffolding: Children learn through problem-solving interactions with adults and peers, gaining cultural understanding.
Emphasis on Reciprocity: Development occurs through reciprocal transactions between the child and their environment.
Critique: Some argue the contextual perspective underrepresents biological influences.
Evolutionary Perspective
Definition: This approach aims to identify behaviors linked to genetic inheritance from ancestors, rooted in natural selection.
Key Concepts:
Behaviors such as jealousy or shyness may have genetic roots influencing survival.
Ethological aspects: Coined by Konrad Lorenz, showcasing innate behaviors (e.g., geese imprinting).
Behavioral Genetics: Explores genetic influences on behavior.
Critique: This perspective is criticized for neglecting environmental and social influences on behavior.
Comparative Analysis of Perspectives
Each theoretical perspective brings unique insights into human development:
Psychodynamic: Emphasizes unconscious determinants.
Behavioral: Focuses on observable behavior.
Cognitive and Humanistic: centered on thoughts and motivations.
Contextual and Evolutionary: Explore social influences and biological factors.
Development phenomena can be viewed simultaneously across multiple perspectives.
Research Methods in Developmental Psychology
Scientific Method
Involves following steps:
Identifying interesting questions.
Formulating explanations.
Conducting research to support or refute hypotheses.
Hypotheses
Definition: A testable prediction derived from theories. Example: Effective bonding requires a minimum time.
Types of Research
Correlational Research
Purpose: To identify associations between two variables.
Limitations: Correlation does not imply causation. Example: Association between maternal bonding time and quality of child relationship cannot determine causality.
Correlation Coefficient:
Ranges from +1 to -1.
Positive correlation example: Higher salary leads to increased job satisfaction.
Negative correlation example: More use of instant messaging correlates with lower academic performance.
Experimental Research
Purpose: To explore causal relationships by manipulating one variable (independent) to observe changes in another (dependent).
Example: Testing exposure to violent imagery via films on aggressiveness in adolescents.
Random Assignment: Ensures equivalent groups, controlled for potential variables.
Significance: Experimental methods are crucial for establishing causality but are sometimes impractical or unethical in real-world settings.
Types of Research Designs
Naturalistic Observation: Observing behavior without interference (e.g., classroom sharing behavior).
Case Studies: In-depth exploration of individual cases (e.g., exceptional children).
Surveys: Collecting data from representative samples regarding attitudes and behaviors.
Psychophysiological Methods: Linking physiological data to behavior (e.g., blood flow and cognitive function).
Longitudinal, Cross-Sectional, and Sequential Research
Longitudinal Research
Definition: Observing the same individuals over time, critical for tracking developmental changes (e.g., moral development from ages 3 to 5).
Challenges: Time-consuming and potential participant dropout.
Cross-Sectional Research
Definition: Comparing individuals from different age groups at one point in time.
Challenges: Cohort effects and selective dropout issues.
Sequential Research
Definition: Combining features of both longitudinal and cross-sectional studies, observing several age groups across different time points.
Example: Test three age groups of children for moral behavior over several years.
Conclusion
Developmental research continuously evolves, requiring varied methods and perspectives to understand the complexities of human growth and changes throughout the lifespan.
The integration of theoretical perspectives with practical research methods helps in formulating comprehensive insights into human development.