Understanding How and Why
● Science of Human Development: Seeks to understand how and why people change
over time.
● Growth is multidirectional, multicontextual, multicultural, multidisciplinary, and
plastic.
The Scientific Method
1. Begin with curiosity; ask questions.
2. Develop a hypothesis.
3. Test the hypothesis.
4. Draw conclusions.
5. Report the results.
6. Replication: Repeating a study with different participants to confirm findings.
Nature vs. Nurture
● Nature: Genetic influences on a person.
● Nurture: Environmental influences, including upbringing and culture.
● Differential Susceptibility: Some individuals are more affected by experiences than
others, often due to genetic differences.
● Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): Negative experiences that can have
long-term effects on health and behavior.
Five Perspectives on Development
1. Development is Multidirectional
● Human characteristics can change in multiple ways over time.
● Continuity vs. Discontinuity:
○ Continuity: Gradual change.
○ Discontinuity: Sudden, distinct changes.
● Critical Period: A specific time when certain development must occur.
● Sensitive Period: A time when development is more responsive to certain experiences
but can still happen later.
2. Development is Multicontextual
● Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory: Development is influenced by multiple
social systems.
● Science of Human Development: Seeks to understand how and why people change
over time.
● Growth is multidirectional, multicontextual, multicultural, multidisciplinary, and
plastic.
The Scientific Method
1. Begin with curiosity; ask questions.
2. Develop a hypothesis.
3. Test the hypothesis.
4. Draw conclusions.
5. Report the results.
6. Replication: Repeating a study with different participants to confirm findings.
Nature vs. Nurture
● Nature: Genetic influences on a person.
● Nurture: Environmental influences, including upbringing and culture.
● Differential Susceptibility: Some individuals are more affected by experiences than
others, often due to genetic differences.
● Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): Negative experiences that can have
long-term effects on health and behavior.
Five Perspectives on Development
1. Development is Multidirectional
● Human characteristics can change in multiple ways over time.
● Continuity vs. Discontinuity:
○ Continuity: Gradual change.
○ Discontinuity: Sudden, distinct changes.
● Critical Period: A specific time when certain development must occur.
● Sensitive Period: A time when development is more responsive to certain experiences
but can still happen later.
2. Development is Multicontextual
● Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory: Development is influenced by multiple
social systems.
