PSYC 102 Chapter : Psyc102a - Ch12 - Development.docx
10 Dec 2012
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Document Summary
The study of the biological, cognitive, and behavioural changes from conception to death. Critical period: an age range in which certain experiences must occur for development to proceed normally. Sensitive period: optimal age range for certain experience. If forced, may even slow down development, but still possible: states(continuity) vs. stages (discontinuity): is development gradual and continuous or is it progressing through each stages, like a caterpillar emerges from cocoon to a butterfly. Inverted u-shaped function start at birth, better with age, peaks and disappear when older (eg accurate eyesight) Cross-sectional design: compare people of different ages at the same time (different age group = cohorts) Longitudinal design: repeatedly test same cohort as it grows older. Sequential design: combines both, repeatedly test several cohorts as they grow older. Prenatl development: germinal stage (1-2 weeks of development) - begins when sperm fertilizes an egg.
