Important Terms
Developmental Psychology
examines our physical, cognitive, and social development across the life span
case studies
observing and recording of an individual or group in hope of revealing universal principles
Comparing people of different ages at the same point in time
Cross-Sectional Study
nature
genetic inheritance, biological predispositions, and evolutionary influences that shape behavior, personality, and intelligence
experimental research
tests a cause and effect relationship by manipulating variables
A pair of identical twins separated at birth. If both grow up to be incredibly anxious despite living in different types of homes, this is ....
nature
nurture
all environmental influences and experiences that shape behavior, personality, and development
cross-sectional research design
A research method that compares different groups of participants at the same point in time to study age-related differences in behavior and mental processes
A baby is born in Tokyo to Japanese biological parents. However, the baby is adopted at birth by a family in Texas, USA.
Nurture
continuous development
The view that development occurs as a gradual, incremental process of change throughout the lifespan
naturalistic observation
watching and recording behavior in common/ordinary situations without trying to manipulate or control the situation
You grow tiny fractions of an inch every single day. If you marked your height on a wall every month, the marks would form a steady, upward-sloping line.
Continuous Development
discontinuous development
The view that development occurs in distinct stages or phases with qualitative changes between stages
correlational study
a research project designed to discover the degree to which two variables are related to each other
An insect doesn't just get slightly bigger and "more bug-like" every day. Instead, it goes through a series of abrupt, distinct stages.
Discontinuous Development