1. The Science of Development The Life-Span Perspective The Nature of Development Theories Research methodology

2. The Life-Span Perspective Why study life-span development? The historical perspective and its characteristics Some contemporary concerns

3. The Nature of Development Biological, Cognitive, and Socioemotional processes Periods of development Age Developmental issues

4. Definitions of… Theory: A theory is an interrelated, coherent set of ideas that helps to explain and to make predictions. Hypothesis: A hypothesis is a specific assumption or prediction that can be tested to determine its accuracy

5. Psychoanalytic Theories Sigmund Freud –Personality –Psychosexual development Oral (0-1) Anal (1-3) Phallic (3-6) Latent (6-12) Genital (12+)

6. Psychoanalytic Theories  Erik Erikson: Eight stages of development  Trust v. Mistrust (0-1)  Autonomy v. Shame/Doubt (1-3)  Initiative v. Guilt (3-5)  Industry v. Inferiority (5-11)  Identity v. Role Confusion (11-22)  Intimacy v. Isolation (22-40)  Generativity v. Stagnation (40-65)  Integrity v. Despair (65+)

7. Cognitive Theories Piaget’s cognitive development theory Vygotsky’s sociocultural cognitive theory The information-processing approach

8. Behavioral and Social Cognitive Theories These theories believe that scientifically we can only study what can be directly observed and measured. They also believe that development is observable behavior that can be learned through experience with the environment.

9. Ethological Theory Behavior is strongly influenced by biology. Behavior is tied to evolution. Behavior is characterized by critical periods. European zoologist Konrad Lorenz (1903- 1989) identified imprinting. John Bowlby theorized about attachment.

10. Ecological Theory Developed by Urie Bronfenbrenner. Consists of 5 environmental systems: –The Microsystem –The Mesosystem –The Exosystem –The Macrosystem –The Chronosystem

11. Research Methods Observation Laboratories vs. naturalistic settings Interviews and Questionnaires Case Studies Standardized Tests Life-History Records Animal Research Correlational research Experimental research

12. Definitions of… Independent variables Dependent Variables Experimental group Control Group Random assignment

13. Experiment example…

14. Research Challenges Ethics Gender Ethnicity and Culture