1 Foundations of Child and Adolescent Development Free Online FlashCards

What does development mean?

Development is the pattern of change and continuity in a person over time, shaped by interacting biological, individual, relational, social, and physical influences.

How are developmental domains related?

Physical, cognitive, language, social, and emotional development overlap. A change in one domain can influence others.

How should developmental milestones be interpreted?

Milestones describe skills commonly seen by certain ages, but they are not rigid deadlines, a complete assessment, or a guarantee that every child follows the same timetable.

What does social learning theory add to learning perspectives?

Learning perspectives explain how experience shapes behavior. Social learning theory also emphasizes learning by observing and imitating others.

What role does support play in Vygotsky’s theory?

Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory emphasizes how social interaction, language, and cultural tools support learning; help can be gradually reduced as a child becomes more capable.

What does attachment theory explain, and what does it not predict?

Attachment theory examines how early caregiver relationships contribute to expectations about safety and support. Attachment can change with experience and does not predict a child’s entire future.

What does Bronfenbrenner’s ecological approach emphasize?

Bronfenbrenner’s ecological approach explains development through interacting systems, from close relationships and settings to institutions and broader cultural and historical conditions.

How does a hypothesis differ from a theory?

A theory organizes explanations, while a hypothesis makes a specific, testable prediction.

Why does correlation not establish causation?

A relationship between variables does not by itself show that one caused the other; other factors may influence both.

What can a cross-sectional study show, and what is a key limitation?

A cross-sectional study compares different age groups at one point in time. It is relatively quick but cannot show how individuals change and may confuse age with generational differences.

What is a strength and a limitation of longitudinal studies?

A longitudinal study follows the same participants over time, revealing individual patterns of change. It takes longer and can be affected by participant dropout.

What distinguishes a cross-sequential design?

A cross-sequential design follows multiple age groups over a period, combining elements of cross-sectional and longitudinal approaches.