PSYC 2710 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Risky Sexual Behavior, Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Secondary Sex Characteristic
18 Jan 2017
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Document Summary
Theory and research in lifespan development (chapter 1) Healthcare and medicine: available to more people. Increased awareness that development extends beyond childhood and adolescence. Lifespan perspective: development is lifelong, development is multidimensional and multidirectional. Growth/gain and decline/loss: development is highly plastic, development is affected by multiple, interacting sources. A theory is an orderly, integrated set of statements that describes, explains and predicts behavior. Theories are vital tools for 2 reasons. (1) they provide organizing frameworks for our observations of people, guiding and giving meaning to what we see. (2) theories verified by research provide a sound basis for practical action. Individuals within species who best meet environment"s survival requirements live long enough to reproduce and pass their more beneficial characteristic to future generations. Many of our physical and behavioral characteristics can be seen as adaptations to ancient environmental challenges. Examples: fainting at the sight of blood, pruney fingers. 8 stages: at each stage a central conflict is resolved.
