Developmental methods and approaches

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  • Created by: Steff06
  • Created on: 27-04-17 10:52

Explanations, examples, definitions

3 explanation levels:

1. Behavioural (what we see)   2. Cognitive (thought processes)    3. Biological (neural explanations, genetics, biochemistry)

Examples: Behavioural = motor development  Cognitive = solving maths  Biological = Learning info

Studies: Physical, social, cognitive, emotional.

  • Neonate = 0-1 month         Infancy = 0-2 years           Preschooler = 2-5 years
  • School-age = 5-12 years            Adolescent = 12-18 years            Childhood = 2-12 years
  • Late adulthood = 65+

Historical foundations: Philosophy - blank slate, future predetermined, how do we learn?

Biology = causes of individual differences, psychological development = biological development

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Evolution, theories

Evolution:

Darwin --> Survival advantages led evolution. Principles change over time. Progressive adaptation.

  • Attachment theory: Bowlby - innate drive to attach for love, support, food and care
  • Ainsworth - Quality decides personality + future relationships
  • Vygotsky - Social interaction links cognition, things learnt twice, culture teaches child, zone proximal development (scaffold children)
  • Siegler - Mind = computer, change = constant, use of modelling

Non-linear dynamics = repeat same interaction

Cross-sectional: Quick, efficient, cohort effects, unknown if groups should be compared

  • Watson: Conditioning, blank slate. Maturation - genetic, predetermined patterns
  • Twin studies: Genetics are a combination of: a) Shared genes  b) Shared environment  c) Individual environment
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Piaget, theories and studies

Piaget: First cognitive development theory, children are active agents. Universal, invariant development stages that explain transformational change

Stage theory (4 stages):

1. Sensori-motor (0-24m) - senses and actions    2. Pre-operational (2-6y) - before logical reason

3. Concrete-operational (6-12y) - logical reasoning onset  4. Formal operation (12+) logical reason

  • Modern theories: Similar scale, flexible, domain specific, how children learn
  • Dynamic systems: Explains qualitative changes, nervous system, biomechanisms, environment

Intervention studies: 1 group have different teaching methods, groups compared

  • Issues: Expensive, time consuming, ethical

Comparing disorders: Difficult for cause and effect, differences due to disorders

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