PSYC 2000 Chapter : Chapter 8 HW
Document Summary
8 / development across the life span: issues in studying human development define human development. Human development: the scientific study of the changes that occur in people as they age, from conception until death. Longitudinal design: one group of people is followed and assessed at different times as the group ages. Cross-sectional design: several different age-groups are studied at one time. Cross-sequential design: a combination of the longitudinal and cross-sectional design. The longitudinal design has the advantage of looking at real age-related changes as those changes occur in the same individuals. Disadvantages of this method are the lengthy amount of time, money, and effort involved in following participants over the years, as well as the loss f participants when they move away, lose interest, or die. The cross-sectional design has the advantages of being quick, relatively inexpensive, and easier to accomplish than the longitudinal design.
