PSYCH01/13/2015-01/15/15Life Span DevelopmentLife Span Development: the scientific study of the ways people change and stay the same from conception to deathScientific means: -Rigorous study-When you are done with study, you should know as much about the subject as anyone around-Cause and effect3 Main ways we Change:1. Physical change-height, weight, form—observable2. Cognitive-mental abilities, learning reasoning, 3. Psycho-social-relationship to yourself, others and the worldTypes of Change: Quantitative change: change in size, shape, number- observable, measurableQualitative Change: change is structure or organization- most human topics: love, etcMaturityStay the SameWhy you could make a case that we are different every moment of life. Some things seem to stay the samePhysical appearance changes slowly so your face is recognizable several years laterPersonality does not change quickly—change in a positive direction takes longerFrom conception to DeathDevelopment occurs the moment conception begins if life is not viable- meaning could live on ownLife ends with death but that does not mean your legacy is over. Reputation can get better or worseExamples: Van Gogh- killed himself as a failure but is now famousNobel- invented gun powder- now Peace prizeTy Cobb- famous then- now a racistPSYCH01/13/2015-01/15/15Studying Influences on Development1. Heredity/environment/maturation2. Family3. Culture and race4. Normative vs. non-normative influences everybody goes through vs. Personal experience5. Cohort: generally your age group6. Timing of events (critical periods)General Principles of Development1. Lifespan is lifelong. Some original people thought development ended at adulthood. Now see as a constant development2. Multidirectionality- always growth and decline- gain in one area, lose in another. Few in organized sports after high school. Life is a forest- trees die.3. Plasticity- many skills can be modified with practice and training. Potential has limits.4. Multiple causation- most problems are complicated. Poverty cannot be solved by giving everyone $10,0005. Historical Context- people develop in certain circumstances that are helpful or hurtful. 100 ears ago, the class composition was completely different.6. Multidimensional: as we have mentioned that there are 3 dimensions we will follow: Physical, Cognitive, Psychosocial and, maybe a 4th, SpiritualSome Developmental Terms:Longitudinal study- some people studied over a long period of time (IQ test every 10 years)Issues: drop out, down time; Benefit: change in individualCross-Sectional- different aged cohorts tested once (groups of 20.30. 40 y/o tested at once)Issues: gen. difference; benefits: cheaper, done onceCross-Sequential- follow a portion of subjects over time while another portion is tested once. More complete studyIssues: sill expensive/