Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
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Icebreaker: Think, Pair, and Share
Students should find a partner in the class to discuss their expectations of what they will learn
about human development while taking this course
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 2
Chapter Objectives
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
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1.1: Thinking About Development
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
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Key Questions 1.1
• What are the three fundamental issues of development? What are the key aspects of each
one?
• What are the basic forces in the biopsychosocial framework? What are the key aspects of
each?
• What is the neuroscience perspective? What are its advantages in understanding human
development?
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 5
Recurring Issues in Human Development
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
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Basic Forces in Human Development:
The Biopsychosocial Framework
• Biological forces
• Genetic, health related
• Psychological forces
• Cognitive/perceptual, emotional, and personality
• Sociocultural forces
• Societal, cultural, ethnic, and interpersonal
• Life-cycle forces
• Identical events and different age groups
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
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Neuroscience: A Window Into Human Development
• Neuroscience is the study of the brain and the nervous system, especially in terms of brain–
behavior relationships
• Helps in understanding interactions among the four forces in the biopsychosocial
framework
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
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Think, Pair, and Share Activity: Your Experiences
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
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1.2: Developmental Theories
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 10
Key Questions 1.2
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 11
What Is a Theory?
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
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Psychodynamic Theory:
• Hold that development is largely determined by how well people resolve conflicts they face at
different ages
• Perspective traces its roots to Sigmund Freud
• Erik Erikson proposed the first comprehensive life-span view of psychosocial development
in his psychosocial theory of personality
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 13
Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory
Basic trust vs. mistrust Birth to 1 year To develop a sense that the world is safe, a "good place"
Autonomy vs. shame 1 to 3 years To realize that one is an independent person who can make
decisions and doubt
Initiative vs. guilt 3 to 6 years To develop the ability to try new things and to handle failure
Industry vs. inferiority 6 years to adolescence To learn basic skills and to work with others
Identity vs. identity confusion Adolescence To develop a lasting, integrated sense of self
Generativity vs. stagnation Middle adulthood To contribute to younger people through childrearing, child care,
mentoring, or other intergenerational work
Integrity vs. despair Late life To view one's life as satisfactory and having been worth living
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
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Discussion Activity: Erikson's Psychosocial Theory
We are going to discuss Erikson's stages and how they apply to individuals.
• Which of Erikson's stages are you in, according to his theory? What about others in your life:
family, friends, your partner?
• Do you agree or disagree with Erikson's assessment of the central conflict during that stage?
Why?
• Do you think there's anything that Erikson missed about that stage? Explain.
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
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Learning Theory: Behaviorism
• Operant conditioning
• The consequences of a behavior determine whether it will be repeated.
• A positive or negative reinforcement increases the chance that a behavior will be
repeated.
• A punishment decreases the chance that a behavior will be repeated.
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 16
Learning Theory: Social Learning Theory
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 17
Cognitive-Developmental Theory (1 of 2)
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 18
Cognitive-Developmental Theory (2 of 2)
Table 1.2 Knowledge Construction Theory Stages of Cognitive Development
STAGE APPROXIMATE AGE CHARACTERISTICS
Infant's knowledge of the world is based on senses and motor skills;
Sensorimotor Birth to 2 years
by the end of the period, uses mental representation
Concrete operational 7 years to early Child understands and applies logical operations to experiences
thought adolescence provided they are focused on the here and now
Early adulthood and Knowledge gained from trusted other and what is known is considered
Prereflective reasoning
beyond absolutely correct
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
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The Ecological and Systems Approach
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
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Lawton & Nahemow’s Competence-Environmental
Press Theory
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
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Life-Span Perspective
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
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Selective Optimization With Compensation (SOC)
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
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The Life-Course Perspective
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
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Summary: Theoretical Perspectives on Human
Development (1 of 3)
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 25
Summary: Theoretical Perspectives on Human
Development (2 of 3)
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 26
Summary: Theoretical Perspectives on Human
Development (3 of 3)
Table 1.3. Theoretical Perspectives on Human Development (continued)
EMPHASES IN
POSITIONS ON DEVELOPMENTAL
PERSPECTIVE EXAMPLES MAIN IDEA BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL
ISSUES
FRAMEWORK
Baltes's life-span
Development is Strong emphasis on the
Life-Span perspective and selective Nature–nurture interaction, continuity and
multiply determined; interactions of all four forces;
Perspective/ SOC optimization with discontinuity, context-specific
optimization of goals cannot consider any in isolation
compensation (SOC)
Life-course
transitions
decreasingly tied to
Strong emphasis on
Life-Course age; increased Nature–nurture interaction, continuity and
Life-course theory psychological, sociocultural, life
Perspective continuity over time; discontinuity, context-specific
cycle; less on biological
specific life paths
across domains are
interdependent
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 27
1.3: Doing Developmental
Research
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 28
Key Questions 1.3
• What are the four approaches researchers use to measure topics of interest in studying
human development? What are the major aspects of each? What are reliability and validity?
• What are the three general designs for research? What are the major aspects of each?
• What are the three specific research designs used in developmental research? What are the
major aspects of each?
• What are the main tools and archives available to help researchers study human
development? What is the main purpose of each?
• What are the techniques researchers use to integrate results from multiple studies?
• What are the ethical procedures researchers must follow in studying human development?
• What are the ways investigators communicate results from research studies?
• What are ways that research affects public policy?
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
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Measurement in Human Development Research
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
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Reliability and Validity
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
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Representative Sampling
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
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General Research Designs
• Correlational studies: Measure the relations between variables (e.g., height and weight)
• Calculating a correlation coefficient (r) between the two variables expresses strength and
direction
• r can range between -1.00 and +1.00 in strength
• r’s magnitude, regardless of sign, shows how much the scores on one variable can
predict the other variable’s scores
• Positive or negative correlation coefficients reveal direction
• Correlation does not prove causation
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
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Possible Interpretations of a Correlational Study
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
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Experimental Studies
• Systematically study the possible “cause and effect” relationship between two variables
• First, manipulate exposure to different levels of a factor (independent variable/IV)
• After exposure to the IV, measure how people score on the behavior of interest (dependent
variable/DV)
• Main question is whether the DV’s scores differ depending upon the level of the IV
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 35
Qualitative Studies
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 36
Designs for Studying Development:
Longitudinal and Cross-Sectional Studies
• Longitudinal studies:
• Observe or test one group of individuals at each of several time periods (e.g., every 7
years)
• Expensive and a large time commitment
• Allows examination of (dis)continuity, because the same people were tested across time
• Cross-Sectional studies:
• Observe or test groups of different ages at the same period in time (e.g., 7-year-olds,
14-year-olds, 21-year-olds, etc.)
• More time-effective, less expensive
• Cannot address (dis)continuity because each age group involves different people
• Cohort effects: differences may result from each group’s unique environmental events
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
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Designs for Studying Development:
Sequential Studies
• Sequential studies:
• A combination of cross-sectional and longitudinal designs
• Allow for flexibility to collect information in several ways
• Avoid cohort effects of cross-sectional designs
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 38
Integrating Findings from Different Studies
• Meta-analysis
• Analysis of multiple studies that all examined the same research questions and variables
• Allows scientists to verify whether the same relationships among variables are replicated
across multiple studies
• Synthesizes the results
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
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Conducting Research Ethically
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
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Discussion Activity: Participating in Research
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 41
Self-Assessment
On your own, think through the different theories of human development covered in this
chapter. Write the following down:
• Which of the theories do you find the most confusing? Can you explain what you don’t
understand, or are you totally lost?
• Which theory seems the most likely based on your own experience, and why?
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 42
Summary
Now that the lesson has ended, you should have learned how to:
• Identify issues and biopsychosocial forces in the study of life-span development
• Describe the theories used in the study of life-span psychology
• Describe the scientific methods used to conduct research in life-span development
Robert V. Kail | John C. Cavanaugh, Human Development: A Life-Span View, 9th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 43