HDFS 2100 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Developmental Science, Child Development, Practical Action
23 Sep 2018
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Child development: an area of study devoted to understanding constancy and change from conception through adolescence. (pg. 4) Developmental science: an interdisciplinary field devoted to the study of human experiences throughout the lifespan (pg. 4) Theory: an orderly, integrated set of statements that describes, explains, and predicts behavior (pg. 7) Continuous: a process of gradually adding more of the same types of skills that were there to begin with (pg. 8) Discontinuous: a process in which new ways of understanding and responding to the world emerge at specific times (pg. 8) Contexts: unique combinations of personal and environmental circumstances that can result in different paths of change (pg. 8) Nature-nurture controversy: debate among theorist about whether genetic or environmental factors are more important influences on development (pg. 9) Plasticity: openness of human development to change in response to influential experiences (pg. 9) Research about development has been stimulated by social pressures to improve the lives of children and to satisfy scientific curiosity.
