Science of Life-Span
Development
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Definitions
Psychoanalytic theories
Cognitive theories
Behavioral/Social Cognitive
Ethological theories
Ecological theories
Research methodology
Definitions of…
• Theory: A theory is an interrelated,
coherent set of ideas that helps to explain
and to make predictions.
• Hypothesis: A hypothesis is a specific
assumption or prediction that can be tested
to determine its accuracy
Psychoanalytic Theories
• Sigmund Freud
– Personality
– Psychosexual development
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Oral (0-1)
Anal (1-3)
Phallic (3-6)
Latent (6-12)
Genital (12+)
Psychoanalytic Theories
Erik Erikson: Eight stages of development
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Trust v. Mistrust (0-1)
Autonomy v. Shame/Doubt (1-3)
Initiative v. Guilt (3-5)
Industry v. Inferiority (5-11)
Identity v. Role Confusion (11-22)
Intimacy v. Isolation (22-40)
Generativity v. Stagnation (40-65)
Integrity v. Despair (65+)
Cognitive Theories
• Piaget’s cognitive development theory
• Vygotsky’s sociocultural cognitive theory
• The information-processing approach
Behavioral and Social Cognitive
Theories
• These theories believe that
scientifically we can only study what
can be directly observed and
measured.
• They also believe that development is
observable behavior that can be
learned through experience with the
environment.
Ethological Theory
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Behavior is strongly influenced by biology.
Behavior is tied to evolution.
Behavior is characterized by critical periods.
European zoologist Konrad Lorenz (19031989) identified imprinting.
• John Bowlby theorized about attachment.
Ecological Theory
• Developed by Urie Bronfenbrenner.
• Consists of 5 environmental systems:
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The Microsystem
The Mesosystem
The Exosystem
The Macrosystem
The Chronosystem
Research Methods
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Observation
Laboratories vs. naturalistic settings
Interviews and Questionnaires
Case Studies
Standardized Tests
Life-History Records
Animal Research
Correlational research
Experimental research
Definitions of…
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Independent variables
Dependent Variables
Experimental group
Control Group
Random assignment
Experiment example…
Research Challenges
• Ethics
• Gender
• Ethnicity and Culture