Life Span Life Span DevelopmentDevelopment

Basics and Basics and MethodsMethods

Psychology, Unit 6Psychology, Unit 6

Today’s ObjectivesToday’s Objectives1.1. Apply developmental psychologyApply developmental psychology

2.2. Explain the 3 themes of Explain the 3 themes of developmental psychology.developmental psychology.

3.3. Distinguish the 3 major methods Distinguish the 3 major methods of study in developmental of study in developmental psychologypsychology

4.4. Evaluate the pros and cons of Evaluate the pros and cons of each method of study in each method of study in developmental psychologydevelopmental psychology

Developmental PsychologyDevelopmental PsychologyThe study of human The study of human

development from conception development from conception to deathto death3 major themes: 1. individual 3 major themes: 1. individual characteristics vs. shared characteristics vs. shared human traits 2. stability vs. human traits 2. stability vs. change 3. heredity vs. change 3. heredity vs. environment (nature vs. environment (nature vs. nurture) nurture)

Methods in Developmental Methods in Developmental PsychPsychCross-sectional: study changes by Cross-sectional: study changes by

comparing people of different ages at comparing people of different ages at the same timethe same timeCohort: people born during the Cohort: people born during the

same period of timesame period of timeLongitudinal study: study the same Longitudinal study: study the same

people over timepeople over timeBiographical/retrospective study: Biographical/retrospective study:

study thru interviews and infer the study thru interviews and infer the effects of past events on current effects of past events on current behaviorbehavior

Cross Sectional StudiesCross Sectional Studies

PROS: inexpensive, takes PROS: inexpensive, takes little time, low drop-out ratelittle time, low drop-out rate

CONS: different age groups CONS: different age groups aren’t necessarily alike, aren’t necessarily alike, differences across age differences across age groups may be due to cohort groups may be due to cohort differences rather than agedifferences rather than age

Longitudinal StudiesLongitudinal StudiesPROS: generates details info PROS: generates details info

about individuals, allows for study about individuals, allows for study of developmental change in great of developmental change in great detail, eliminated differences due detail, eliminated differences due to cohortsto cohorts

CONS: expensive and time CONS: expensive and time consuming, potentially high drop-consuming, potentially high drop-out rate, differences over time out rate, differences over time may be due to differences in may be due to differences in assessment tools rather than ageassessment tools rather than age

Biographical/Retrospective Biographical/Retrospective StudiesStudies

PROS: generate rich detail about PROS: generate rich detail about one individual’s life, allows for in-one individual’s life, allows for in-depth study of one individualdepth study of one individual

CONS: individual’s recall is often CONS: individual’s recall is often untrustworthy, can be very time untrustworthy, can be very time consuming and expensiveconsuming and expensive

Exit TicketExit Ticket1.1. Describe what a developmental Describe what a developmental

psychologist studies.psychologist studies.2.2. Explain the 3 themes of Explain the 3 themes of

developmental psychology.developmental psychology.3.3. Distinguish the 3 major Distinguish the 3 major

methods of study in methods of study in developmental psychologydevelopmental psychology

4.4. Evaluate the pros and cons of Evaluate the pros and cons of each method of study in each method of study in developmental psychologydevelopmental psychology