PSY210H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Empiricism, The Technique, Behaviorism
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Lecture 1 Outline
Developmental Psychology = the scientific study of changes or continuities in an
organism between initial conception and death
Child Development: ‘a field of study that seeks to account for the gradual evolution of
the child’s cognitive, social, and other capacities first by describing changes in the child’s
observed behaviours and then by uncovering the processes and strategies that underlie
these changes’ (PGS 4)
What is the difference between basic and applied research?
Basic research seeks to understand development for the sake of science
Applied research has a clear practical application
Major Themes in child development
Nature vs. Nurture
Continuity vs. Discontinuity
Active vs. Passive
Development in different domains is connected
Nature vs. Nurture
Nativist: emphasizes the role of nature (or innate factors) in development
Empiricist: emphasizes the role of nurture (or the environment) in development
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Continuity vs. Discontinuity
Continuous
•Each new event builds on earlier experiences
•Development is a smooth and gradual accumulation of abilities
•Predictable
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