PSYC 331 Ch 1: Theories and Research

CH 1: Theories and Research

-Why Understand Development?

-understand how tiny humans grow into big humans

-learn how brains work and change

-help kids grow up strong and smart

-developmental milestone: key skills at certain ages

-research terminology:

-hypothesis

-variable

-correlation

-causation

-Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD): what kids can do with help vs alone

-scaffolding: support given to kids to help them learn

-schemas; mental structures to organize info

-assimilation: fitting new info into existing schemas

-accomodation: changing schemas to fit new info

-equilibrium: balancing assimilation and accommodation to create stable understanding

-study measures:

-observation

-survey: ask

-experiment

-attachment

-temperament

-study designs:

-cross sectional: study diff kids at one time

-longitudinal: study same kids over long time

-microgenetic: study kids a lot over short time

-historical roots:

-John Locke: kids like blank slates

-jean-Jacques Rousseau: kids born good, society bad

-charles darwin: kids evolve like animals

-themes in development: 

-nature vs. nurture: genes or environment

-continuity vs discontinuity: gradual change or big steps?

-universal vs context specific: same for all or different by culture