Lecture 1
hy study child development
W
Developmental psychology is the study of how individuals change and grow.
Examines physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and moral changes over the course of a person's
life.
Physical development, such as motor and sensory development
Cognitive development, including how mental processes unfold, how children learn and
think, and language acquisition
Social and emotional development includes how children develop a sense of self and
identity, how they learn to recognize and manage emotions, and how they build relationships
with others.
hat is developmental psychology?
W
The study of growth and change from the beginning of life to the end of life
Includes the entire lifespan, from infancy to old age and death
he early years, especially the first five, are critical for laying the foundation for future
T
development.
esearch methods:
R
Researchers use a variety of methods to study child development, including longitudinal studies
that follow individuals over an extended period of time.
hese studies help researchers understand how development unfolds and the factors that
T
influence it, such as the role of genetics and environment.
- The Dunedin Study
The Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study:
egan in 1972 in Dunedin, New Zealand
B
Follows a cohort of approximately 1,000 individuals from birth to the present day
Collects comprehensive data on health, behavior, and development
Examined the role of genetics and environment in shaping development
Followed participants from infancy to middle adulthood
Collected data on the participants' medical history, personality, genes, criminal convictions,
relationships, successes, and failures.
Provided insights into the factors that influence health and well-being over the lifespan
Identified when different mental health disorders tend to emerge (e.g., depression in
adolescence/early adulthood, personality disorders later in life)
Showed the negative impact of adverse early life experiences on mental health in adulthood
Identified protective factors that can mitigate the effects of adverse early experiences
Key Insights From Longitudinal Research
, actors that shape personality, health, wealth, and happiness over the lifespan
F
The interplay between genetics, environment, and early life experiences in determining
developmental trajectories
Importance of protective factors in mitigating the effects of adverse early experiences
Advancing our understanding of human development
Informing approaches to supporting healthy development and well-being
Key takeaways from the Dunedin study:
1. Comprehensive data collection
The Dunedin Study has collected an unprecedented amount of detailed information on its
participants, covering a wide range of factors that influence human development.
This comprehensive dataset provides a unique opportunity to explore the complex interactions
between various aspects of human life, from genetics to life experiences.
. Longitudinal approach
2
The Dunedin Study's longitudinal design, following participants from birth to adulthood, allows
researchers to observe the long-term trajectories of human development.
This approach enables a deeper understanding of how early life experiences and environmental
factors shape an individual's life path over time.
3. Insights into nature vs nurture
tudying a large and diverse group of individuals, the researchers hope to gain a more
S
comprehensive understanding of the factors that contribute to both positive and negative life
outcomes.
4. Challenges and limitations
onducting a longitudinal study of this scale and duration is an immense undertaking, requiring
C
significant resources, organization, and funding.
While the Dunedin Study provides invaluable insights, the findings may be limited to the
specific population and context of the study, and may not be fully generalizable to other settings.
- Why study child development
1. Improving parenting and caregiving approaches
Understanding child development can inform better parenting, teaching, and childcare
practices.
For example, attachment theory emphasizes the importance of responsive and nurturing care,
which has been linked to better social-emotional and cognitive outcomes in children.
Cognitive development research has also led to more effective educational approaches tailored
to children's developmental needs.
. Informing social policy
2
Child development research can drive meaningful changes in social policies to promote better
outcomes for children and families.
hy study child development
W
Developmental psychology is the study of how individuals change and grow.
Examines physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and moral changes over the course of a person's
life.
Physical development, such as motor and sensory development
Cognitive development, including how mental processes unfold, how children learn and
think, and language acquisition
Social and emotional development includes how children develop a sense of self and
identity, how they learn to recognize and manage emotions, and how they build relationships
with others.
hat is developmental psychology?
W
The study of growth and change from the beginning of life to the end of life
Includes the entire lifespan, from infancy to old age and death
he early years, especially the first five, are critical for laying the foundation for future
T
development.
esearch methods:
R
Researchers use a variety of methods to study child development, including longitudinal studies
that follow individuals over an extended period of time.
hese studies help researchers understand how development unfolds and the factors that
T
influence it, such as the role of genetics and environment.
- The Dunedin Study
The Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study:
egan in 1972 in Dunedin, New Zealand
B
Follows a cohort of approximately 1,000 individuals from birth to the present day
Collects comprehensive data on health, behavior, and development
Examined the role of genetics and environment in shaping development
Followed participants from infancy to middle adulthood
Collected data on the participants' medical history, personality, genes, criminal convictions,
relationships, successes, and failures.
Provided insights into the factors that influence health and well-being over the lifespan
Identified when different mental health disorders tend to emerge (e.g., depression in
adolescence/early adulthood, personality disorders later in life)
Showed the negative impact of adverse early life experiences on mental health in adulthood
Identified protective factors that can mitigate the effects of adverse early experiences
Key Insights From Longitudinal Research
, actors that shape personality, health, wealth, and happiness over the lifespan
F
The interplay between genetics, environment, and early life experiences in determining
developmental trajectories
Importance of protective factors in mitigating the effects of adverse early experiences
Advancing our understanding of human development
Informing approaches to supporting healthy development and well-being
Key takeaways from the Dunedin study:
1. Comprehensive data collection
The Dunedin Study has collected an unprecedented amount of detailed information on its
participants, covering a wide range of factors that influence human development.
This comprehensive dataset provides a unique opportunity to explore the complex interactions
between various aspects of human life, from genetics to life experiences.
. Longitudinal approach
2
The Dunedin Study's longitudinal design, following participants from birth to adulthood, allows
researchers to observe the long-term trajectories of human development.
This approach enables a deeper understanding of how early life experiences and environmental
factors shape an individual's life path over time.
3. Insights into nature vs nurture
tudying a large and diverse group of individuals, the researchers hope to gain a more
S
comprehensive understanding of the factors that contribute to both positive and negative life
outcomes.
4. Challenges and limitations
onducting a longitudinal study of this scale and duration is an immense undertaking, requiring
C
significant resources, organization, and funding.
While the Dunedin Study provides invaluable insights, the findings may be limited to the
specific population and context of the study, and may not be fully generalizable to other settings.
- Why study child development
1. Improving parenting and caregiving approaches
Understanding child development can inform better parenting, teaching, and childcare
practices.
For example, attachment theory emphasizes the importance of responsive and nurturing care,
which has been linked to better social-emotional and cognitive outcomes in children.
Cognitive development research has also led to more effective educational approaches tailored
to children's developmental needs.
. Informing social policy
2
Child development research can drive meaningful changes in social policies to promote better
outcomes for children and families.
