An Introduction to Development: Fundamental Issues in Developmental Psychology

Basic question: What shapes the way we change over time? Investigate the influence of multiple factors on development, including biological, environmental, social, cultural, and behavioral factors Every area of psychology can be looked at from this perspective –biological development –social development –cognitive / perceptual development –personality development

What is Developmental Psych? Developmental psychology is the study of how people change physically, mentally, and socially throughout the lifespan At every age and stage of life, developmental psychologists investigate the influence of multiple factors on development, including: – Biological – Environmental – Social – Cultural – Behavioral factors

Continuity and Stages How much of behavior is continuous and how much follows a more stage like development?

Fundamental Issues: Is Development Continuous? Development means change - change can be abrupt or gradual Two views of human development –stage theories: there are distinct phases to intellectual and personality development –continuity: development is continuous These views have been applied to social, personal and intellectual development

Types of Growth Patterns

Stability and Change What developmental traits remain stable over time, and which change?

Fundamental Issues: Critical Periods Critical period - Are there periods when an individual is particularly sensitive to certain environmental experiences? –Are the first hours after birth critical for parent-child bonding? –Is first year critical for developing trust? –Easier to learn a language before age 10? Are there individual differences in stages and critical periods? Some aspects of development, such as prenatal development and language development, are closely tied to critical periods

Themes in Development: Gradual Changes Typical course of human (physical, mental, & social) development is gradually unfolding changes.

Themes of Development: Nature and Nurture How much of our behavior is due to nature and how much is due to nurture? How do nature and nurture interact in development?

Nature vs. Nurture What is role of heredity vs. environment in determining psychological makeup? –Is your IQ inherited or determined by nutrition and early environment? –Is there a ‘criminal’ gene or does poverty lead to criminal behavior? –Is sexual orientation a choice or genetically determined? These are some of our greatest societal debates Mistake to pose as ‘either / or’ questions

Developmental Research Methods Cross-sectional - performance of people of different age groups is compared Longitudinal - performance of one group of people is assessed repeatedly over time Sequential - combines cross-sectional and longitudinal approaches in a single study