The Developmental Approach

Observational Studies

Naturalistic takes place in child's own environement and none of the variables are manipulated. 

+ High ecological validity as behaviour will be natural because the subject is in a real-life familiar setting.

- Will have extraneous variables as there is no control so can't be sure what caused the results.

Controlled is when a child is observed by a researcher, usually in a lab setting. Some of the variables are controlled e.g. certain toy given.

+ Extraneous variables can be minimised so cause and effect can be established. 

- High observer bias as different opinions mean researcher's will focus on and record different expectations therefore low reliability and not replicable.

Correlational Studies

Variables often rise…