Psych 200 Lecture 4

Page 1: Introduction to Mentorship Program

Speaker: TanyaProgram Overview: The mentorship program is designed to support the development of Maori and Pacific students, rooted in traditional mato Tonga and kaupapa values. The program aims to foster a nurturing environment where younger individuals, referred to as Tāngata, can receive guidance and support from older siblings or mentors, known as Tino. This relationship highlights the importance of cultural identity and community strength throughout various stages of personal and academic growth, emphasizing stages of development from Stage 2 onwards.

Workshops: A series of tailored workshops are available, aligning with student assignments to facilitate both personal and academic learning. These workshops are crafted to be interactive and culturally relevant, ensuring participation and engagement among students.

Room Location: The workshops and meetings for the mentorship program are located in the Toa room at 1198, strategically placed near tutorial locations for easy access.

Canvas Integration: To enhance communication and resource accessibility, students will be automatically enrolled on the Maori and Pasifika students' page on Canvas. This page will provide regular updates about upcoming workshops, resources, and mentorship opportunities, fostering a sense of community among participants.

Page 2: Longitudinal Studies Overview

Types of Studies: It is crucial to understand the difference between various research methodologies, specifically between cross-sectional studies and longitudinal studies.Cross-Sectional Studies: These studies collect data at one point in time, examining various groups that represent different ages—such as participants aged 30, 45, and 60—to infer developmental patterns.Longitudinal Studies: In contrast, longitudinal studies involve repeated observations of the same individuals over time. For instance, researchers may follow a cohort of individuals assessed at age 30 in 1980, then at age 45 in 1995, and again at age 60 in 2010. This approach allows researchers to observe changes and patterns in behavior, health, and development as individuals age.

Strengths of Longitudinal Design: The key advantage of this design type lies in its ability to track the same individuals and closely observe changes over time, offering insights into individual trajectories and the effects of time and experience on development.Challenges: However, longitudinal studies pose difficulties with timing, significant resource requirements, and potential funding complications, which may limit their feasibility and scope in research settings.

Page 3: Micro-Genetic Studies

Definition: Micro-genetic studies are a form of short-term longitudinal research that focuses on observing rapid developmental changes within individuals over brief periods.Purpose: These studies are particularly effective for analyzing specific skill acquisition processes (e.g., learning to walk, early language development).

Findings: An illustrative example of this approach is Karen Adolph's research, which demonstrated a range of developmental trajectories in children learning to stand. Some children may attain a skill swiftly, while others show varying levels of ability, oscillating between success and struggle in their performance over time.

Importance of Micro-Genetic Designs: By concentrating on immediate changes, micro-genetic studies capture individual differences that may be overlooked in traditional research designs, providing a nuanced understanding of developmental progression and learning curves.