PSYCH 202 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Synaptic Pruning, Tabula Rasa, Twin Study
Document Summary
Developmental psychology: the study of changes in physiology, cognition, and social behavior over the life span. Teratogens- environmental agents that can cause abnormal development of embryo or fetus. Synaptic pruning- process whereby the synaptic connections in the brain that are frequently used are preserved, and those that aren"t are lost. Nature argument says we develop according to genetically predetermined processes. Some evidence for nature: uofm twin study, bouchard gathered 100 pairs of twins raised together or apart. Identical twins were more likely to be similar, raised together or not. Nurture argument says we are a blank slate at birth, our environment determines who we are. Cross-sectional diff participants of diff ages at one time. Quicker, can get info about diff ages, larger samples, generalizability problem due to one time frame, cohort effects problem. Longitudinal- same participants are studied at various ages. Info about age changes, more reliable, more info for each subject, generalizability problem due to drop outs, time intensive.
