Novak & Peláez - GDN Introduction Chapter 1

Novak & Peláez - GDN A Behavioral Systems Approach n Combines Dynamical Systems Theory (Chaos Theory) n Behavior Analysis

Novak & Peláez - GDN What is Development? n Changes in Interactions n Progressive Changes n Changes Occur Across the Life Span

Novak & Peláez - GDN Science is Just One Approach Rembrant: Woman with a Pink (Ca. 1662)

Novak & Peláez - GDN The Scientific Method n Systematic Observation n Specialized methods for organizing & summarizing these observations n Formulating & testing hypotheses n Objectivity

Novak & Peláez - GDN The Continuum of Scientific Disciplines n Physics n Chemistry n Biology n Psychology n Sociology n Anthropology

Novak & Peláez - GDN Metaphors for Understanding Development Seurat: A Sunday Afternoon on the Isle of La Grande Jatte

Novak & Peláez - GDN

Levels of Understanding Development: Reductionism and Anti-reductionism n Reductionism Analyzing at a lower level of explanation e.g., Using biological explanations to analyze a psychological issue (e.g., ADHD,dyslexia). n Antireductionism Maintaining the analysis at the appropriate level.

Novak & Peláez - GDN Dynamical Systems and Developmental Psychology n What is DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY? n Developmental Phylogenesis n Developmental Ontogenesis

Novak & Peláez - GDN Phylogenic Contingencies and Ontogenic Contingencies n Developmental Phylogenesis Change is species over evolutionary time Phylogenic Contingencies - natural selection n Developmenal Ontogenesis - Change in individual over lifespan Ontogenic Contingencies - learning

Novak & Peláez - GDN Developmental Ontogenesis and Dynamical Systems n Person/Environment Relations n These relations are constantly changing n Effects are reciprocal n Multiple influences n Development is nonlinear n Multiple directions of outcomes

Novak & Peláez - GDN Development Is Analyzed at Different Levels of Systems n Level 1: Basic Processes n Level 2: (Emergent & Organized) Patterns of Behavior n Level 3: Social Interactions n Level 4: Society & Culture

Novak & Peláez - GDN The Central Role of Learning for Development

Novak & Peláez - GDN Learning and Evolution – Why learning ability should evolve n Animals with Fixed Action Patterns cannot adapt to changes in environment n Learning enables adaptation to changes in environmental contingencies.

Novak & Peláez - GDN Learning & Evolution are Parallel Processes: n Learning – Behavior changes appear in individuals due to selection by environmental consequences in individual’s experiences. n Evolution – Structural changes appear in species due to selection by environmental consequences (natural selection) for the species.

Novak & Peláez - GDN Learning is THE Process in Most Human Development n Inherited biological structures contribute to development. n The role of learning in the development of some behaviors (e.g., reflexes, perceptual abilities) is less. n For most behaviors, learning is the central process in their development.

Novak & Peláez - GDN Learning Defined: “ A relatively permanent change in behavior in relation to the environment that is due to experience.” n Change in behavior-environment relationship. n The change is relatively permanent n The change is due to experience

Novak & Peláez - GDN What Do Developmental Psychologists Study? n Developmental Psychologists as Researchers n Applied Developmental Psychologists Behavioral Pediatrics Consultants n Child Clinical Psychologists Marriage, Child, & Family Counselors