Novak & Pelaez Developmental Theory Chapter 2

Novak & Pelaez The Importance of Theories Organize & bring Coherence to views Worldviews – overarching viewpoints that bias our observations –Pepper’s Worldviews Mechanistic Organismic Contextualistic (Behavioral Systems Theory)

Novak & Pelaez Dimensions on Which Theories Differ Structure vs. function Description vs. explanation Nature vs. nurture Continuity vs. discontinuity

Novak & Pelaez Dimensions on Which Theories Differ Description versus Explanation –E–Explanation Prediction Control Circular Explanations Reification Putting the cause inside the child Behaviors become explanations e.g., dyslexia; autism Real Explanations –“–“Under what conditions?” not Why?

Novak & Pelaez Nature versus Nurture False Dichotomy “How” do nature and nurture interact Not “How Much?” Nature & nurture are both a function of selection by consequences (Skinner) Nature & nurture are not causes but processes and products (Oyama).

Novak & Pelaez Judging Developmental Theories - Nine Criteria 1) Accuracy 2) Clarity 3) Predictability 4) Practicality 5) Internal Consistency 6) Parsimony 7) Testable 8) Productivity 9) Self-Satisfying

Novak & Pelaez Group Research Designs in Studying Behavioral Development Cross-sectional –Problems- Cohort Effects Longitudinal –Problems- Practice Effects Selective Attrition Sequential – Combination of Cross- Sectional & Longitudinal

Novak & Pelaez The problem with using age as a variable Age is an empty variable Focus should be on the process variables that produce behavior and are correlated with age.

Novak & Pelaez Behavioral research methods – Single Subject Designs Functional Analysis- manipulate variables to see cause-effect relations.

Novak & Pelaez Behavioral Research Designs ABAB reversal design Multiple-treatments (alternating treatments) design Multiple treatments designs Changing Criterion designs Combined within & between subjects designs

Novak & Pelaez ABehavioral Systems Approach

Novak & Pelaez Transaction of 5 Factors Genetic-Constitutional Make-up History of Interactions Current Physiological Conditions Current Environmental Conditions Behavioral Dynamics

Novak & Pelaez Principles of Dynamical Systems Multiple Determination Multiple Determination means Equifinality Models of Development Nonlinearity Phase Shifts = Developmental Stages Coalescent Organization Selectionism Behavioral Attractor States Developmental Trajectories

Novak & Pelaez Multiple Determinism Transaction of 5 Factors Sensitivity to Initial Conditions - Butterfly Effect Leading Parts - Disproportionate Influence “Impossible” to predict outcomes Equifinality is the norm

Novak & Pelaez Equifinality `

Novak & Pelaez Models of Development

Novak & Pelaez Linear Model

Novak & Pelaez Transactional Model A B

Novak & Pelaez Nonlinear Model

Novak & Pelaez Emergent Properties & Phase Shifts Sudden, nonlinear changes (e.g., A to X) Qualitative Difference Result of Coalescent Organization Result is “Organized” When Universal, called “Stage”

Novak & Pelaez Coalescent Organization Multiple Determinants Coming together of all conditions leads to reorganization of organism/behavior

Novak & Pelaez Selectionism: Organization by Consequences Phylogenic Selection – Changes in species Ontogenic Selection – Changes in individuals (learning) Cultural Selection – Changes in cultures Any selection requires variability

Novak & Pelaez Selectionism - 3 Requirements Variability (Response Classes) Selection –Ontogenic - Natural Selection –Phylogenic - contingencies of learning Retention (Physiology)

Novak & Pelaez Behavioral Attractors Organized patterns of behavior “Soft” (loose) assemblies Assembled by Consequences Form (Structure) follows Function

Novak & Pelaez Developmental Trajectories Behavioral Momentum Stability vs. Phase Shifts

Novak & Pelaez “Behavioral Cusps” not “Stages” Cusps are important new behaviors that emerge that enable the development of many other behaviors. (e.g., walking; reading).

Novak & Pelaez An Organism-Environment Model (Horowitz, 1987) Organismic Dimension –Impaired to unimpaired –Vulnerable to nonvulnerable Environment Dimension –Non-facilitative to facilitative

Novak & Pelaez The transaction of organismic & environmental variables produces Developmental Outcome –Minimal to Optimal