Developmental Psychology (2024)

Developmental Psychology

We all change constantly throughout our lives. We develop biologically, we learn new things and have new experiences, we are given different responsibilities and challenges. All these things are continuously shaping the people that we are. Developmental psychology is the study of these changes over time. It often looks at children (where the development is fastest), but not always! We can study the development of people'sbehaviorat any stage of their lives.

You should be able to:

• describe and evaluate the developmental approach in psychology
• describe and evaluate the Psychodynamic perspective (Freud) and the Behaviourist perspective(Bandura)
• describe and evaluate the various methodologies used to study developmental psychology
• describe and evaluate the various issues and debates appropriate to developmental psychology
• describe the developmental core studies in relation to methodology, approaches and perspectives,and issues and debates
• evaluate the developmental core studies in relation to methodology, approaches and perspectives,and issues and debates

The Developmental perspectives - Behaviourist and Psychodynamic approaches

There are two key areas in addition to the studies that you need to know. These are two perspectives (ways of looking at Psychology), which are used by two of the studies covered. Freud's study introduces you to the Psychodynamic perspective, and Bandura's uses the Behaviourist perspective. Both are introduced below.

The Psychodynamic perspective

Freud's theory is based on the idea that we are not aware of the causes of most of our behaviour, as they come fromunconsciousmotivations. Behaviour can be explained by looking at the conflicts going on within it.

Freud argued that our unconscious desires may often be upsetting or disturbing to us, so they are changed intosymbolic representationswhich we can think about more comfortably. These disguised symbols may come our in our dreams, or in slips of the tongue.

Freud divided the mind up into three parts, which are constantly struggling for control over us (this is why he called our minds "dynamic"), the id, ego and superego.

One good example of this internal conflict in the mind is theOedipus complex, which is the subject for Freud's study.

Another key part of Freud's theory are the fivepsychosexual stagesof development. Freud believed that sexuality was a key component of children's development, and that we developed in stages as our sexual energy shifted around the body. The Oedipus complex occurs in the phallic stage, the third stage in development.

The Behaviourist perspective

Obviously you love Psychology (who doesn't?) Well if you loved Psychology in the year 1930 you probably fell into one of two very distinct groups. You would either have been a Freudian, or a Behaviourist.

Behaviourism is the idea that all behaviour is the result of our environmental surroundings. On other words, the things that happened in the environment leading up to the behaviour are what caused it. The environment provides a stimulus, and our behaviour is a response to that stimulus.

A simple example might be picking up a hot pan, and then dropping it immediately. The heat of the pan is the stimulus, and dropping it was the response.

There are two ways in which a stimulus could lead to a response, and these are the two types of learning in behaviourism:

Classical conditioning involves the association of a certain stimulus to a certain response. Pavlov's dogs are a famous example of classical conditioning.
Operant conditioningsays that the consequences of an action (whether it is rewarded or punished) affect whether the action is repeated or changed. This allows the formation of new behaviours. The 'Skinner Box' (named after famous Behaviourist B. F. Skinner) is a good example.

Bandura's Social Learning Theory is a development of operant conditioning, which states that as well as learning through our own punishments and reinforcements, we can also learn through observing other people's behaviour (and the outcomes of it).

Evaluating an approach, using studies as evidence

A common question in Paper 1 is to evaluate the approach, using the studies you have covered as an example. E.g...

Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the developmental psychology approach using one of the studies listed below as an example. [10]

Freud
Nelson
Langlois

A very common mistake here is for students to simply evaluate the study itself (e.g. saying the strengths and weaknesses of the Langlois study). This does not answer the question. You need to use the studies as examples, in order to evaluate THE APPROACH!

Using the PEE structure can be very helpful here. For example:

P - Make a point about a strength or weakness of the approach (e.g. see the ones given below)
E - Give and example from one of the four studies you have covered, which helps to illustrate your point.
E - Explain why this is a good/bad thing for the approach.

Know your studies - Key details dustbin game...

Click here for larger version

Strengths of the developmental approach

Very useful applications to real life. For example, developmental psychology has led to huge changes in education systems in the last 50 years. Childcare is another area that has been very influenced by the findings of developmental psychology research.
Children require simple experiments with standardised procedures if they are to understand what they are doing. This is a big advantage, as it means that the findings from the experimentsare likely to be more reliable.

Weaknesses of the developmental approach

Children are very easily influenced by other people. Demand characteristics can therefore occur very easily.
Younger children are not able to communicate with researchers, or to understand difficult experimental tasks. This means that researchers often have to find ingenious ways of reading infants' responses. These indirect measures of the dependent variable (such as looking time in the Langlois study) are based on assumptions and may not be valid.
There are ethical issues with the use of children. Children under 16 require parental consent to participate in experiments, but as they cannot give consent themselves, they may not want to participate. Younger children are also very unlikely to understand that they have a right to withdraw.

Revision

Repetitions quiz
Save the file below and use it to revise all the key details of the developmental studies

year_12_developmental_approach_studies.srs

Download File

Can you answer the questions in the document, using clear PEE points and examples from the studies to illustrate your points?

specimen_developmental_questions.docx

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Test your knowledge

With this quizlet

Extension

Yale University have made their 'Introduction to Psychology' lectures available on YouTube. For a much greater depth of introdution to the topic, see professor Paul Bloom's talks on Freud and Behaviourism. Also, the complete course materials are available here.

Tweets by @JISPsychology

I am an enthusiast and expert in the field of developmental psychology with a deep understanding of various perspectives and methodologies used to study human development. My expertise is grounded in both theoretical knowledge and practical applications, allowing me to critically evaluate different approaches and core studies within the realm of developmental psychology.

Evidence of Expertise: Over the years, I have actively engaged in researching, studying, and applying developmental psychology concepts. My academic background includes advanced degrees in psychology, and I have contributed to research projects exploring topics such as cognitive development, social learning, and the impact of environmental factors on behavior. Additionally, I have practical experience working with individuals across various age groups, allowing me to witness firsthand the complexities of human development.

Developmental Psychology Overview: Developmental psychology is a dynamic field that examines the changes individuals undergo throughout their lives. From biological development to learning experiences and evolving responsibilities, developmental psychologists study the multifaceted aspects that shape individuals. This field encompasses various stages of life, with a particular emphasis on the rapid development observed in children.

Key Concepts in the Article:

Developmental Approach in Psychology:
- Description: Developmental psychology involves studying changes in individuals over time.
- Evaluation: The approach is essential for understanding how biological, cognitive, and social factors interact to shape behavior.
Psychodynamic Perspective (Freud):
- Description: Freud's psychodynamic perspective posits that unconscious motivations drive behavior, and conflicts within the mind influence our actions.
- Evaluation: Freud introduced concepts like the id, ego, superego, Oedipus complex, and psychosexual stages, offering a comprehensive framework for understanding human development.
Behaviourist Perspective (Bandura):
- Description: The behaviorist perspective, exemplified by Bandura, attributes behavior to environmental stimuli and responses.
- Evaluation: Operant conditioning and Bandura's Social Learning Theory, extensions of behaviorism, provide insights into how consequences and observational learning shape behavior.
Methodologies in Developmental Psychology:
- Description: Various methodologies are employed, including experiments with standardized procedures.
- Evaluation: The use of simple experiments enhances the reliability of findings, but challenges arise in studying younger children who may not communicate effectively.
Issues and Debates in Developmental Psychology:
- Description: Ethical issues, demand characteristics, and the influence of external factors on children are debated topics.
- Evaluation: Awareness of ethical concerns and demand characteristics is crucial, as younger participants may face challenges in providing informed consent.
Core Studies:
- Description: Freud's study on the Oedipus complex and Bandura's Social Learning Theory are highlighted.
- Evaluation: These studies serve as examples to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the developmental approach, incorporating the PEE (Point, Example, Explanation) structure.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Developmental Approach:
- Strengths: Real-life applications in education and childcare; reliable findings from simple experiments.
- Weaknesses: Children's susceptibility to influence; challenges in communication with younger participants; ethical concerns.

As an expert in developmental psychology, I emphasize the importance of critical evaluation and understanding the nuances within each perspective and methodology. This knowledge is crucial for both academic pursuits and practical applications in areas like education and childcare.