Novak & Peláez - GDN
Introduction
Chapter 1
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A Behavioral Systems Approach
Combines Dynamical Systems Theory (Chaos Theory)
Behavior Analysis
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What is Development?
Changes in Interactions Progressive Changes Changes Occur Across the Life Span
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Science is Just One Approach
Rembrant: Woman with a Pink (Ca. 1662)
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The Scientific Method
Systematic Observation Specialized methods for organizing &
summarizing these observations Formulating & testing hypotheses Objectivity
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The Continuum of Scientific Disciplines Physics Chemistry Biology Psychology Sociology Anthropology
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Metaphors for Understanding Development
Seurat: A Sunday Afternoon on the Isle of La Grande Jatte
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Levels of Understanding Development: Reductionism and Anti-reductionism Reductionism
• Analyzing at a lower level of explanation• e.g., Using biological explanations to
analyze a psychological issue (e.g., ADHD,dyslexia).
Antireductionism• Maintaining the analysis at the appropriate
level.
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Dynamical Systems and Developmental Psychology What is DEVELOPMENTAL
PSYCHOLOGY? Developmental Phylogenesis Developmental Ontogenesis
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Phylogenic Contingencies and Ontogenic Contingencies Developmental Phylogenesis
• Change is species over evolutionary time• Phylogenic Contingencies - natural
selection Developmenal Ontogenesis -
• Change in individual over lifespan• Ontogenic Contingencies - learning
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Developmental Ontogenesis and Dynamical Systems Person/Environment Relations These relations are constantly
changing Effects are reciprocal Multiple influences Development is nonlinear Multiple directions of outcomes
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Development Is Analyzed at Different Levels of Systems Level 1: Basic Processes Level 2: (Emergent & Organized)
Patterns of Behavior Level 3: Social Interactions Level 4: Society & Culture
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The Central Role of Learning for Development
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Learning and Evolution – Why learning ability should evolve Animals with Fixed Action Patterns
cannot adapt to changes in environment Learning enables adaptation to changes
in environmental contingencies.
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Learning & Evolution are Parallel Processes: Learning – Behavior changes appear in
individuals due to selection by environmental consequences in individual’s experiences.
Evolution – Structural changes appear in species due to selection by environmental consequences (natural selection) for the species.
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Learning is THE Process in Most Human Development Inherited biological structures contribute
to development. The role of learning in the development
of some behaviors (e.g., reflexes, perceptual abilities) is less.
For most behaviors, learning is the central process in their development.
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Learning Defined:“A relatively permanent change in behavior in relation to the environment that is due to experience.” Change in behavior-environment
relationship. The change is relatively permanent The change is due to experience
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What Do Developmental Psychologists Study? Developmental Psychologists as
Researchers Applied Developmental Psychologists
• Behavioral Pediatrics• Consultants
Child Clinical Psychologists• Marriage, Child, & Family Counselors
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