Transcript Introduction to Developmental Psychology

Think, Pair, Share
Are you the same person you were as a
preschooler?
In what ways are you the same?
In what ways are you different?
• As an 8 year-old?
• As a 12 year-old?
Introduction
to
Developmental
Psychology
Developmental Psychology studies the
physical, cognitive, and social change
throughout the life span.
Focus on three issues:
1. Nature and nurture: How does our genetic
inheritance interact with our experiences to
influence our development?
2. Continuity and Stages: What parts of our
development are gradual and continuous, what
parts are change abruptly in stages?
3. Stability and Change: Which of our traits
persist through life, how do we change as we
age?
Nature and Nurture
Nature: gene combinations
from mother and father
predispose us with human
similarities and differences.
Nurture: our experiences
in the womb, families, peer
relationships, and more
influence our thinking and
acting.
Continuity and Stages
Are the differences between
infants and adults explained
by gradual, continuous
growth?
Or differ in stages like a
caterpillar changing into
a butterfly?
Continuity and Stages
• Comparison of stage models
Continuity and Stages
Generally speaking:
• Those who emphasize nurture tend to see
development as a slow, gradual process.
• Those who emphasize nature tend to see
development as a sequence of predisposed stages.
Stability and Change
As we follow lives through time, is there more
evidence for stability or change?
• New Zealand study of 3 year-olds who were low in
consciousness and self-control were more
vulnerable to illness, substance abuse, arrest and
single parenthood by age 32.
• Hyperactive, inattentive 5 year-olds required more
teacher attention at age 12.
Stability and Change
As we follow lives through time, is there more
evidence for stability or change?
• Social attitudes are less stable than temperament as
one ages.
• Many delinquent children who have work problems,
substance abuse, and crime as young adults
blossom into mature, successful adults.
Stability and Change
In some ways, we all change with age.
• Shy, fearful toddlers begin opening up by age 4.
• Most people become conscientious, stable, and
confident in the years after adolescence.
Life requires both stability and change
• Stability provides our identity.
• Change gives us hope for a brighter future.
Methods for Studying Development
Cross-Sectional Design
Different participants at
various ages are compares
to determine age-related
differences
Longitudinal Design
Same participants are
studied at various ages to
determine age-related
changes
Cross-sequential Design
Different participants at
various ages are compared
at several points in time to
determine age-related
differences and changes
Group 1: 20-year olds
Group 2: 40-year olds
Research done in 2015
Group 3: 60 year olds
Study 1: 20 year olds
Research done in 1975
Study 2: Same participants
at age 40
Research done in 1995
Study 3: Same participants
at age 60
Research done in 2015
Study 1:
Group 1: 20-year olds
Group 2: 40-year olds
Study 2:
Group 1: now age 25
Group 2: now age 45
Research done in 2015
Research to be done in
2020
Discovering Psychology:
The Developing Child
Homework Assignment
Create a chart of your lifetime. Include a
minimum of 10 events from different years
that you think are significant.
At the bottom of the chart identify at least
one developmental characteristic that
represents:
• Nature
• Nurture
• Continuity
• Stages
• Stability
• Change
Homework Assignment
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
• Nature
• Nurture
• Continuity
• Stages
• Stability
• Change