ISSUES IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

Developmental Issues
Nature and Nurture
Extent to which development is influenced by nature and by nurture
Degree to which early traits and characteristics persist through life or change Extent development involves gradual, cumulative change (continuity) or distinct stages (discontinuity)

Stability and Change ContinuityDiscontinuity

NATURE VS. NURTURE

Nature refers to an individuals

biological inheritance Nurture refers to environmental experiences

CONTINUITY VS. DISCONTINUITY

Continuity involve gradual,

cumulative changes. (like a seedling gradually growing into a tree) Discontinuity distinct changes, abrupt (like caterpillar becoming a butterfly)

STABILITY VS. CHANGE

Stability Are we what our first

experiences have made us? Change Do we develop into someone different from who we are at an earlier point in development?

Activity: Research
Form a small circle

Identify the parts of the sample research you

have Think of a research topic (it can be similar or different from the sample research), it should be about child and adolescent development
TOPIC RESPONDENTS

RESEARCH DESIGNS

PREPARED BY:

MS. JOHANNA C. SALDO

Steps of the Scientific Method

What is the five-step procedure used to answer questions with empirical research and data-based conclusions? Curiosity

Develop hypothesis

Test hypothesis

Raise a question

A prediction that can be tested

Design and conduct research; gather empirical evidence

Draw conclusions

Report results

Support or refute hypothesis

Share data, conclusions, alternate explanations

scientific method: A way to answer questions using

empirical research and data-based conclusions.
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Scientific Method
1. Identify and define the 2.

3.
4. 5.

problem Determine the hypothesis Collect and analyze data Formulate conclusions Apply conclusions to the original hypotheis

The Survey as a Way to Test Hypotheses What happens when a survey is taken?
Randomly selected Information is collected from a large number of people

Survey
Acquiring valid survey data is not easy

Survey answers are influenced by wording and sequence of questions

Some people lie and some change their minds

survey: A research method in which information is collected from a large number of people by interviews, written questions, or some other means.
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Case Study
Description: An in-depth look at an individual Strengths: Provides information about an individuals fears, hopes, fantasies, traumatic experiences, family relationships, etc. Weaknesses: Caution in generalizing information

Correlational Study
Description: determines associations Strengths: it can predict one from the other Weaknesses: no manipulation of factors, it is not dependable way to isolate cause

Correlation and Causation How do variables correlate? Quiz on Correlation

Two Variables Positive, Negative, or Zero Correlation? Why? (Third Variable) third variable: heat third variable: age no third variable: each child must have a parent of each sex
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correlation: A number between +1.0 and -1.0 that indicates the degree of relationship between two variables, expressed in terms of their likelihood that one variable will (or will not) occur when the other variable does (or does not).

1. Ice cream sales and murder rate 2. Learning to read and number of baby teeth 3. Sex of adult and their average number of offspring

Positive

Negative

Zero

Experimental
Description: determines cause and effect Strengths: only true reliable method of establishing cause and effect Weaknesses: - limited to what is observable, testable and manipulable - If there is no randomisation, may limit generalisability of the findings - Experimentation with humans is subject to a number of influences that may dilute the study results & Hawthorne effect

The Experiment as a Way to Test Hypotheses

independent variable: In an experiment, the variable that is introduced to see what effect it has on the dependent variable. (Also called experimental variable.) dependent variable: In an experiment, the variable that may change as a result of whatever new condition or situation the experimenter adds.

How Do You Design an Experiment?

Many participants, measured on many characteristics, including the dependent variable (the behavior being studied) Experimental group Special treatment (independent variable) Significant change in the dependent variable

(two equal groups)

Comparison (or control) group No special treatment

(predicted outcome)
No change in the variable
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Naturalistic Observation
Description: observing the children/ subject in their natural environment Strengths: it allows researcher to directly observe the subject in the natural setting Weaknesses: difficult to determine the exact cause of behavior and cannot control outside variables

Longitudinal
Description: studies and follows through a single group over a period of time Strengths: record and monitor developmental trends Weaknesses: expensive and timeconsuming, drop-out of subjects

Cross-sectional
Description: individuals of different ages are compared at one time Strengths: record and monitor developmental trends, not time consuming, no need to wait Weaknesses: gives no information about how individuals change or the stability of their characteristics

Sequential
Description: combined cross-sectional and longitudinal. Starts w/ cross-sectional then after a few months/ years , the longitudinal Strengths: record and monitor developmental trends, answers the disadvantage in cross-sectional Weaknesses: complex, expensive and time-consuming

Studying Change Over Time

T = Score
Does one of these patterns accurately represent intelligence as people age? Longitudinal

cross-sectional research: A research design that compares groups of people who differ in age but are similar in other important characteristics. longitudinal research: A research design in which the same individuals are followed over time and their development is repeatedly assessed. cohort: A group defined by the
shared ages of its members.

65 60 55 50 45

40
35 30

Cross-Sectional

25 32 39 46 55 60 67 74 81 88
Source: Schale, 1988

Age

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Action Research
Description: reflective process of progressive problem-solving led by individuals working with others in teams to improve the way they address issues and solve problems Strengths: appropriate if they want to create changes and create information on processes and outcome of strategies used -uses different methods, stakeholders are included Weaknesses: results cannot be applied to other organization

Research Ethics
Informed consent Confidentiality Debriefing

Deception

DATA GATHERING TECHNIQUES

DATA GATHERING TECHNIQUES

1. Observation 2. Physiological measures 3. Standardized Tests 4. Interviews and

Questionnaires 5. Life History Records

Scientific Observation as a Way to Test Hypotheses

Where do scientific observations take place?

scientific observation: A method of testing a hypothesis by unobtrusively watching and recording participants behavior in a systematic and objective manner.
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Project:
Form a group with 5 members

Choose a topic issues that concerns child and

adolescent Conduct a research about that Parts of research should have;

Introduction Methods what kind of research, respondents and # of respondents, the questionnaire (if there is one) Conclusion References