INTRODUCTION
Development: A Definition
 The
orderly and sequential changes that
occur with the passage of time as an
organism moves from conception to
death.
The Major Concerns of Science
1.
2.
3.
4.
Describe
Explain
Predict
Control
Major Domains of
Development
1. Physical
2. Cognitive
3. Emotional -social
The Processes of Development
1. Growth
2. Maturation
3. Learning
Context of Development
ECOLOGICAL APPROACH
(Bronfenbrenner)
1. Microsystem
2. Mesosystem
3. Exosystem
4. Macrosystem
Timing of Developmental
Events
Normative Age-graded
Influences
Normative History-graded Influences
Non-normative Life Events
Cultural Variability
Culture:
Learned
Social heritage of a people.
patterns for thinking, feeling
and acting transmitted from one
generation to the next.
Changing Conceptions of Age
Infancy
Childhood
Adolescence
Adulthood
Old
age
Connecting Historical “Areas
of Concern”
 Turn
of the 20th
Century
 The 1950’s and 1960’s
 Contemporary Issues
 Back to the Future
The Nature of Developmental
Research
The Scientific Method
 Select
a researchable problem
 Formulate a hypothesis
 Test the hypothesis
 Draw conclusions about the hypothesis
 Make the findings of the study available to
the scientific community
Research: Longitudinal
Method
Scientists
study the SAME individuals
at different points in their lives.
Cross-Sectional Method
Investigates
development by
simultaneously comparing DIFFERENT
groups of persons varying in age.
Sequential Methods
 Measuring
time.
more than one cohort over
Experimental Method
 Experiment:
Study in which the investigator
manipulates one or more variables and
measures the resulting changes in the other
variables to attempt to determine the cause of a
specific behavior
Experimental Method
 Independent Variable
 Extraneous Variables
 Experimental
Group
 Control Group
 Dependent Variable
 Limitations
Case-Study Method

The accumulation of developmental
information of a single individual.
Social Survey Method
Researchers
ask questions to a sample
of individuals who are representative
of the population of individuals likely
to be affected
Random sampling
Naturalistic Observation
Researchers
intensively watch and
record behavior as it occurs.
Modifications:
a. Time Sampling
b. Event Sampling
Cross-Cultural Studies
Researchers
compare data from two or
more societies and cultures.
Research Analysis
Correlational Analysis
 Degree
to which two or more behaviors are
associated with each other
 Does not prove causation
 Can be used for predictive purposes
Correlation Coefficient

Numerical expression of the degree or
extent of relationship between two
variables or conditions.
Ethical Standards for Human
Development Research
Respect
and concern for the dignity
and welfare of participants
Informed consent
Right to privacy