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: Nature and nurture: How does our genetic inheritance interact with our experiences to influence our development? Continuity and Stages: What parts of our development are gradual and continuous, what parts are change abruptly in stages? 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 conscientiousness 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 Group 1: 20-year olds Group 2: 40-year olds Group 3: 60 year olds Research done in 2015 Longitudinal Design Same participants are studied at various ages to determine age-related changes Study 1: 20 year olds Study 2: Same participants at age 40 Study 3: Same participants at age 60 Research done in 1975 Research done in 1995 Cross-sequential Design Different participants at various ages are compared at several points in time to determine age-related differences and changes Study 1: Study 2: Group 1: now age 25 Group 2: now age 45 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 Nature Nurture Continuity Stages Stability Change 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Nature Nurture Continuity Stages Stability Change