Lifespan Development Chapter 2 - How and Why People Develop and Learn

cross-sectional studies

Method of data collection used to compare groups of various ages at the same time.

manipulative experiments

Method of data collection used to keep all the variables that affect the same except for one.

longitudinal studies

Method of data collection used to observe the same individuals over a period of time.

descriptive studies

Method of data collection used to obtain information that describes people and situation, such as their ages, attitudes, or behaviors.

naturalistic experiments

Method of data collection used to only observe existing groups and record observations.

genes

Part of a DNA molecule that determines individual traits.

moral decisions

Personal choices that evaluate what is right and what is wrong.

hypothesis

Prediction about something that can be tested.

genetics

The study of genes.

social cognitive theory

Theory based on the assumption that people are affected by rewards and punishments, but that their reaction to rewards and punishments are filtered by their own perceptions, thoughts, and motivations.

behaviorism

Theory based on the belief that a person's developmental stage should be based on what can be observed or seen in his or her behavior rather than making assumptions about what cannot be directly observed.

observable behaviors

Things that people do and say or the way they act.

scientific method

A means of increasing knowledge by observing, formulating a hypothesis, testing the hypothesis, and formulating a theory.

ethological theory

Assigning traits and behaviors based on a person's biology or genetic makeup

ecological theory

Assigning traits and behaviors based on a person's environment.

classical conditioning

Behaviors associated with emotional responses.

operant conditioning

Behaviors that continue when reinforced.

developmental theories

Comprehensive explanations about why people act and behave the way they do and how they change over time.

psychosocial developmental stages

Erikson's theory consisting of eight stages in which people must successfully resolve a psychological and/or social conflict before moving to the next stage in life.

cognitive theories

Ideas about how people process information, think, and learn.

psychoanalytic theories

Ideas that analyze the symbolic meaning behind behaviors