PRE-SESSION_Topic2_Slides

Themes and Issues in Developmental Psychology

  • Understanding developmental patterns and defining essential concepts.

Studying Development Scientifically

  • Importance of empirical research in developmental psychology.

  • Different methodologies and their implications on understanding development.

Overview of Lecture

Lecture Outline

  • Testing Developmental Claims

  • Cross-Sectional Research

  • Longitudinal Research

  • Genetically Sensitive Research Designs

Learning Outcomes

  • Understand and describe cross-sectional and longitudinal research approaches.

  • Interpret findings from these methodologies in relation to developmental theories.

  • Recognize principles of genetically sensitive approaches.

Aims of Developmental Psychology

  • Description: Charting the course of development across the lifespan.

  • Prediction: Predicting outcomes based on developmental outcomes.

  • Explanation: Identifying the causes behind development and changes.

Understanding Causal Relationships

Establishing Causal Connections

  • Key conditions:

    • Covariation: Observed variables must change together.

    • Non-spuriousness: Relationships must not arise from other unmeasured factors.

    • Temporality: Causal factors precede the outcome.

  • Example: Exposure to tuberculosis bacteria is necessary but not sufficient for developing the disease.

Cross-Sectional Research

Characteristics

  • Conducted at a single point in time.

  • Compares different age groups to identify patterns and relationships.

  • Cautions against relying solely on cross-sectional data for developmental claims.

Implications

  • Cannot indicate an individual's development over time (no within-person change).

  • Differences noted may be influenced by cohort effects rather than age effects.

Longitudinal Research

Overview

  • Involves measuring individuals over multiple points in time.

  • Focuses on within-person changes, stability of differences, and causes of development.

Types of Longitudinal Studies

  1. Panel Studies: Assess the same group across different ages.

  2. Multiple Cohort Studies/Cohort Sequential Studies: Observes multiple groups.

  3. Intervention/Experimental Studies: Explore causal relationships through controlled conditions.

Benefits and Considerations

  • Ability to illustrate continuity/discontinuity and stability/instability in development.

  • Panel studies may show developmental changes, yet period effects could also impact observed results.

Intervention Studies

Characteristics

  • Experimental designs that assess the impact of variables on development.

  • Firmly establish causal links but may not apply to real-life contexts.

Testing Developmental Theories

Empirical Evidence

  • Panel and cohort studies can help to suggest relationships but cannot prove causation.

  • Intervention studies are used to demonstrate direct causative links in developmental outcomes.