PSY 230 CH.1-4 Study Guide
Questions and Answers 100% Pass
What is development - ANSWER-The systematic changes in the individual that
occur between the moment of conception and death.
What are the goals of developmental psychologists? - ANSWER-1. To
DESCRIBE development across the lifespan
2. To EXPLAIN the changes that occur during the lifespan
3. To OPTIMIZE development-- not make it perfect but optimize it for someone
who might have risks to development.
Identify normative and atypical patterns of development - ANSWER-normative:
when a baby first puts its head up, starts to walk/talk, hits puberty, etc.
atypical: A 14 year old girl who hasn't gotten her period yet
What is the nature of development? What do we know about development? -
ANSWER-Development is multidirectional, multi contextual, Multicultural,
multidisciplinary, and plastic
Multidirectional development - ANSWER-Change occurs in every direction, not
always in a straight line. Gains and losses, predictable growth, and unexpected
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,transformations characterize the lifespan. Traits appear and disappear. Continuity,
critical, and sensitive periods
Multidisciplinary development - ANSWER-Numerous academic fields-- especially
psychology, biology, education, and sociology, but also neuroscience, economics,
religion, anthropology, history, medicine, genetics and many more-- contribute
insights and make contributions to the science of development.
Multicontextual development - ANSWER-Human lives are embedded in many
contexts including historical conditions, economic constraints, and family patterns.
Occurs within many social environments (peers,siblings, parents, teachers, etc)
Socioeconomic status
Multicultural development - ANSWER-Many cultures-- not just between countries
but within them-- affect how people develop. Difference-equals-deficit error
Plastic - ANSWER-Human traits can be molded and yet people maintain a certain
durability of identity.
Continuous development - ANSWER-From conception to death
Cumulative development - ANSWER-builds upon earlier development (what
happens before provides the basis from what happens later; positive and negative
ways)
Multidimensional Development - ANSWER-many different domains of
development (biological, cognitive,
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, psychosocial, etc.)
Hollistic Development - ANSWER-domains of development are interrelated and
interdependent
Multidetermined Development - ANSWER-change results from biological and
learning processes
Broffenbrenner's Ecological Systems Model - ANSWER---An individual's
biological disposition interacts with the environment
--The environment is composed of multiple levels
--Relationships are the most important context of development
--Relationships are bidirectional
Microsystem - ANSWER-Direct influence (family, school, peers, neighborhood)
Mesosystem - ANSWER-interactions between the microsystems
Exosystem - ANSWER-School, church, local institutions (or...religious values,
media, transportation, community)
Macrosystem - ANSWER-National (social traditions)
Chronosystem - ANSWER-Change to person over time (changing conditions over
the lifespan)
Steps in Scientific Method - ANSWER-Step 1- Curiosity
COPYRIGHT 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, TRUSTED AND VERIFIED 3
Questions and Answers 100% Pass
What is development - ANSWER-The systematic changes in the individual that
occur between the moment of conception and death.
What are the goals of developmental psychologists? - ANSWER-1. To
DESCRIBE development across the lifespan
2. To EXPLAIN the changes that occur during the lifespan
3. To OPTIMIZE development-- not make it perfect but optimize it for someone
who might have risks to development.
Identify normative and atypical patterns of development - ANSWER-normative:
when a baby first puts its head up, starts to walk/talk, hits puberty, etc.
atypical: A 14 year old girl who hasn't gotten her period yet
What is the nature of development? What do we know about development? -
ANSWER-Development is multidirectional, multi contextual, Multicultural,
multidisciplinary, and plastic
Multidirectional development - ANSWER-Change occurs in every direction, not
always in a straight line. Gains and losses, predictable growth, and unexpected
COPYRIGHT 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, TRUSTED AND VERIFIED 1
,transformations characterize the lifespan. Traits appear and disappear. Continuity,
critical, and sensitive periods
Multidisciplinary development - ANSWER-Numerous academic fields-- especially
psychology, biology, education, and sociology, but also neuroscience, economics,
religion, anthropology, history, medicine, genetics and many more-- contribute
insights and make contributions to the science of development.
Multicontextual development - ANSWER-Human lives are embedded in many
contexts including historical conditions, economic constraints, and family patterns.
Occurs within many social environments (peers,siblings, parents, teachers, etc)
Socioeconomic status
Multicultural development - ANSWER-Many cultures-- not just between countries
but within them-- affect how people develop. Difference-equals-deficit error
Plastic - ANSWER-Human traits can be molded and yet people maintain a certain
durability of identity.
Continuous development - ANSWER-From conception to death
Cumulative development - ANSWER-builds upon earlier development (what
happens before provides the basis from what happens later; positive and negative
ways)
Multidimensional Development - ANSWER-many different domains of
development (biological, cognitive,
COPYRIGHT 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, TRUSTED AND VERIFIED 2
, psychosocial, etc.)
Hollistic Development - ANSWER-domains of development are interrelated and
interdependent
Multidetermined Development - ANSWER-change results from biological and
learning processes
Broffenbrenner's Ecological Systems Model - ANSWER---An individual's
biological disposition interacts with the environment
--The environment is composed of multiple levels
--Relationships are the most important context of development
--Relationships are bidirectional
Microsystem - ANSWER-Direct influence (family, school, peers, neighborhood)
Mesosystem - ANSWER-interactions between the microsystems
Exosystem - ANSWER-School, church, local institutions (or...religious values,
media, transportation, community)
Macrosystem - ANSWER-National (social traditions)
Chronosystem - ANSWER-Change to person over time (changing conditions over
the lifespan)
Steps in Scientific Method - ANSWER-Step 1- Curiosity
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