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This comprehensive guide explores the key concepts and principles of developmental psychology using a behavioral systems approach. It delves into the dynamic interactions and progressive changes across the lifespan, emphasizing the role of learning in human development. From the continuum of scientific disciplines to the levels of system analysis, this book offers insights into various theoretical frameworks and research methodologies used in the field. Perfect for students and professionals alike in psychology, sociology, and related disciplines.
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Introduction Chapter 1
A Behavioral Systems Approach • Combines Dynamical Systems Theory (Chaos Theory) • Behavior Analysis
What is Development? • Changes in Interactions • Progressive Changes • Changes Occur Across the Life Span
Science is Just One Approach Rembrant: Woman with a Pink (Ca. 1662)
The Scientific Method • Systematic Observation • Specialized methods for organizing & summarizing these observations • Formulating & testing hypotheses • Objectivity
The Continuum of Scientific Disciplines • Physics • Chemistry • Biology • Psychology • Sociology • Anthropology
Metaphors for Understanding DevelopmentSeurat: A Sunday Afternoon on the Isle of La Grande Jatte
Levels of Understanding Development: Reductionism and Anti-reductionism • Reductionism • Analyzing at a lower level of explanation • e.g., Using biological explanations to analyze a psychological issue (e.g., ADHD,dyslexia). • Antireductionism • Maintaining the analysis at the appropriate level.
Dynamical Systems and Developmental Psychology • What is DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY? • Developmental Phylogenesis • Developmental Ontogenesis
Phylogenic Contingencies and Ontogenic Contingencies • Developmental Phylogenesis • Change is species over evolutionary time • Phylogenic Contingencies - natural selection • Developmenal Ontogenesis - • Change in individual over lifespan • Ontogenic Contingencies - learning
Developmental Ontogenesis and Dynamical Systems • Person/Environment Relations • These relations are constantly changing • Effects are reciprocal • Multiple influences • Development is nonlinear • Multiple directions of outcomes
Development Is Analyzed at Different Levels of Systems • Level 1: Basic Processes • Level 2: (Emergent & Organized) Patterns of Behavior • Level 3: Social Interactions • Level 4: Society & Culture
Learning and Evolution – Why learning ability should evolve • Animals with Fixed Action Patterns cannot adapt to changes in environment • Learning enables adaptation to changes in environmental contingencies.
Learning & Evolution are Parallel Processes: • Learning – Behavior changes appear in individuals due to selection by environmental consequences in individual’s experiences. • Evolution – Structural changes appear in species due to selection by environmental consequences (natural selection) for the species.
Learning is THE Process in Most Human Development • Inherited biological structures contribute to development. • The role of learning in the development of some behaviors (e.g., reflexes, perceptual abilities) is less. • For most behaviors, learning is the central process in their development.
Learning Defined:“A relatively permanent change in behavior in relation to the environment that is due to experience.” • Change in behavior-environment relationship. • The change is relatively permanent • The change is due to experience
What Do Developmental Psychologists Study? • Developmental Psychologists as Researchers • Applied Developmental Psychologists • Behavioral Pediatrics • Consultants • Child Clinical Psychologists • Marriage, Child, & Family Counselors
