Life Span Development Basics and Methods Psychology, Unit 6

Today’s Objectives 1. Apply developmental psychology 2. Explain the 3 themes of developmental psychology. 3. Distinguish the 3 major methods of study in developmental psychology 4. Evaluate the pros and cons of each method of study in developmental psychology

Developmental Psychology The study of human development from conception to death The study of human development from conception to death 3 major themes: 1. individual characteristics vs. shared human traits 2. stability vs. change 3. heredity vs. environment (nature vs. nurture) 3 major themes: 1. individual characteristics vs. shared human traits 2. stability vs. change 3. heredity vs. environment (nature vs. nurture)

Methods in Developmental Psych Cross-sectional: study changes by comparing people of different ages at the same time Cross-sectional: study changes by comparing people of different ages at the same time Cohort: people born during the same period of time Cohort: people born during the same period of time Longitudinal study: study the same people over time Longitudinal study: study the same people over time Biographical/retrospective study: study thru interviews and infer the effects of past events on current behavior Biographical/retrospective study: study thru interviews and infer the effects of past events on current behavior

Cross Sectional Studies PROS: inexpensive, takes little time, low drop-out rate PROS: inexpensive, takes little time, low drop-out rate CONS: different age groups aren’t necessarily alike, differences across age groups may be due to cohort differences rather than age CONS: different age groups aren’t necessarily alike, differences across age groups may be due to cohort differences rather than age

Longitudinal Studies PROS: generates details info about individuals, allows for study of developmental change in great detail, eliminated differences due to cohorts PROS: generates details info about individuals, allows for study of developmental change in great detail, eliminated differences due to cohorts CONS: expensive and time consuming, potentially high drop-out rate, differences over time may be due to differences in assessment tools rather than age CONS: expensive and time consuming, potentially high drop-out rate, differences over time may be due to differences in assessment tools rather than age

Biographical/Retrospective Studies PROS: generate rich detail about one individual’s life, allows for in- depth study of one individual PROS: generate rich detail about one individual’s life, allows for in- depth study of one individual CONS: individual’s recall is often untrustworthy, can be very time consuming and expensive CONS: individual’s recall is often untrustworthy, can be very time consuming and expensive

Exit Ticket 1. Describe what a developmental psychologist studies. 2. Explain the 3 themes of developmental psychology. 3. Distinguish the 3 major methods of study in developmental psychology 4. Evaluate the pros and cons of each method of study in developmental psychology