The Looking Chamber Experiment, Robert Fantz, 1961,
2025
Nova Southeastern University
The Looking Chamber Experiment, Robert Fantz, 1961, Diana Hincapie, Lisa K. Lashley, Charles J. Golden
Essays in Developmental Psychology
The Looking Chamber Experiment refers to a series of studies performed by Robert Fantz in 1961. Before the work of Fantz, little research was conducted on infant perception. There was presupposition that infants held the ability to perceive light, color and movement, yet, lacked the ability to respond to complex stimulus (i.e. shape, pattern, size, or solidity). Fantz and his colleagues were specifically interested in finding the degree in which babies can perceive form to categorize their current environment. They created their research techniques on past observational studies with chicks and chimpanzees. To look at the visual abilities of infants, …
Midlife Physical Changes,
2025
Nova Southeastern University
Midlife Physical Changes, Kirsten Horne, Lisa K. Lashley, Charles J. Golden
Essays in Developmental Psychology
Aging occurs at different rates in individuals. These rates are influenced by factors including genetics, lifestyle, and health. Midlife is considered to be the central period of one’s life, consisting of individuals who are approximately 45 to 65 years of age, although some researchers suggest midlife consists of individuals who are 40 to 65 years of age. There are a variety of changes that occur throughout life. However, a majority of the changes that occur during midlife are considered to be normative physical changes. The physical changes in midlife include but are not limited to changes in appearance, senses, muscles, …
Sexuality: Issues In Adulthood,
2025
Webster University
Sexuality: Issues In Adulthood, Taylor D. Michl, Amanda Kracen
Essays in Developmental Psychology
Human sexuality in Western cultures is generally comprised of emotional intimacy, sexual identity, and sexual behavior. Sex is understood and experienced differently by people as aspects of identity (e.g., culture, race, class, gender, ability, size, religion, sexual identity) affect sexuality. Although engaging in sex is not necessary for a fulfilling life, the majority of adults in the U.S. participate in sexual activity, and regular sexual activity correlates with improved mental health (Brody, 2010).
Dementia,
2025
Idaho State University
Dementia, Anna C. Mccarrey
Essays in Developmental Psychology
Dementia is a progressive condition that causes the sufferer to have problems with memory, thinking and behaviors beyond what is expected from the normal aging process. It is the most common neurological disorder in old age, although some types of dementia can occur earlier in the lifespan. Dementia is characterized by severe memory impairment, as well as problems with other psychological functions such as attention, reasoning and problem-solving. Late stage dementia can lead to total erosion of the person and self with the sufferer having trouble speaking, eating, walking and being able to dress themselves. The word dementia comes from …
Mirror Test Of Infant Self-Awareness,
2025
University of Detriot Mercy
Mirror Test Of Infant Self-Awareness, Jenna Bekkala, Naomi J. Aldrich
Essays in Developmental Psychology
Our understanding of self, or belief in one’s being as distinct from others, has been a subject of inquiry throughout human history. Discussions of self-concept would not appear in the empirical literature, however, until the mid-19th century. After likening an orangutan’s response to teasing as that of a “naughty child”, Charles Darwin began to question orangutans’ selfconcept by observing reactions to their own mirror images. Darwin’s use of the mirror to gauge self-awareness, a method eventually applied to his own infant son (Darwin, 1877), would remain the most frequently used assessment of self-concept for the next century.
Attachment Theory: John Dollard And Neal Miller,
2025
Nova Southeastern University
Attachment Theory: John Dollard And Neal Miller, Carla Cabrera, Lisa K. Lashley, Charles J. Golden
Essays in Developmental Psychology
No abstract provided.
Bio-Physiological Development During Adulthood,
2025
Nova Southeastern University
Bio-Physiological Development During Adulthood, Maria Boix Braga, Charles J. Golden, Lisa K. Lashley
Essays in Developmental Psychology
Defining adulthood, and what the criteria truly is to be able to consider oneself an adult, varies from culture to culture. Biologically, adulthood can also be defined as the period in which full physical and intellectual maturity has been attained. It is a period that is defined slightly differently depending on the source, but it is agreed that it tends to be considered the life period between ages 18 and 60. However, the definition of adulthood can have varying legal and sociocultural factors as well. For example, the legal definition of an adult is a person who has reached the …
Experimental Studies,
2025
Baylor University
Experimental Studies, Alexander Beaujean, Allison D. Gutierrez
Essays in Developmental Psychology
The concept of an experiment has undergone many changes in psychology's relatively short existence, and its essential features are still debated. Psychologists agree that it involves (a) systematically observing and recording phenomena; (b) explicitly describing the conditions under which the observations occurred, and (c) analyzing the resulting data to look for meaningful relations. The major area of disagreement is whether manipulation of phenomena is required.
Correlational Studies,
2025
Baylor University
Correlational Studies, Alexander Beaujean, Hannah Greeley
Essays in Developmental Psychology
Correlational studies are a type of research design that involves examining the relation among two or more phenomena. The design's distinguishing features are (a) data are collected more or less simultaneously, or at least treated as if they were collected at a single point in time; and (b) there is no manipulation of phenomena (e.g., assigning participants into groups).
Longitudinal Studies,
2025
Baylor University
Longitudinal Studies, Alexander Beaujean
Essays in Developmental Psychology
Longitudinal studies provide information about phenomena constancy and change. Their core feature is that the phenomena under investigation are observed repeatedly in the same participants (e.g., persons, animals, organizations), which requires collecting data at multiple time points (called waves). The participants, phenomena observed, duration of study, and number of waves can greatly differ between studies. For example, longitudinal studies with animals often gather data across many waves, but the entire study may only last a few days or weeks. By contrast, longitudinal studies with humans typically gather data at just a few waves but may last years or decades.
Infant Memory,
2025
Michigan State University
Infant Memory, Jenna Beffel, Naomi J. Aldrich
Essays in Developmental Psychology
Until the second half of the 20th century, the ability to recall information was thought to emerge between 2- and 10-years-of-age. Resulting from repression of our earliest sexual urges, immature neural mechanisms, or an impoverished sense of self and linguistic skills, infantile amnesia represents the predominant view of infancy at the time; a period in which the child possessed remarkably limited mental abilities, thus experiencing the world as nothing more than “one great blooming, buzzing confusion” (James, 1890). The research contributions of Dr. Carolyn Rovee-Collier over the next seventy years succeeded in altering this perspective.
Infant Imitation And Social Interaction,
2025
University of Detriot Mercy
Infant Imitation And Social Interaction, Caroline Bartes, Naomi J. Aldrich
Essays in Developmental Psychology
Today imitation (i.e., copying another’s behaviors) is recognized as the fundamental mechanism by which cultural knowledge is socially transmitted across generations (Gergely & Csibra, 2006). Indeed, inquiries into children’s imitation have been at the forefront of developmental science nearly since its inception. Piaget suggested that at its core, imitation acted as the child’s representation of self-in-action before the representation of self-in-thought (Piaget & Inhelder, 1966/1969). While Piaget discussed the presence of reflexive imitation within the first months of life (e.g., a baby crying upon hearing another baby’s cry), he reasoned that children could not imitate others’ gestures until the end …
Sequential Studies,
2025
Baylor University
Sequential Studies, A. Alexander Beaujean
Essays in Developmental Psychology
Sequential studies combine aspects of longitudinal and cross-sectional studies in order to overcome some of inherent problems in both designs. Longitudinal studies can provide rich information about phenomena change, but have two major disadvantages: (a) they can require substantial resources, and (b) they can confound effects of age, cohort (i.e., influences due to shared historical experiences), and time-of-data-collection effects (i.e., events that co-occur with the data collection occasions). Cross-sectional studies require fewer resources, but only provide limited information about developmental change.
Cross-Sectional Studies,
2025
Baylor University
Cross-Sectional Studies, Alexander Beaujean, Allison D. Gutierrez
Essays in Developmental Psychology
Cross-sectional studies are a type of research design used to understand time-related constancy and change in phenomena using data collected more or less simultaneously from different groups (called cohorts) of participants (e.g., people, animals, organizations). The cohorts vary on the basis of age or some other temporal phenomena (e.g., developmental stage, grade in school), so the combined sample is thought to represent the focal phenomena in the population at different times (i.e., a cross section). Differences among the cohorts are used to approximate developmental changes.
Prosocial Reasoning,
2025
Nova Southeastern University
Prosocial Reasoning, Ryan Bennett, Lisa K. Lashley, Charles J. Golden
Essays in Developmental Psychology
Prosocial behavior is best described as a general range of actions that are intended to benefit individuals other than one’s self. Some of these prosocial actions include helping, comforting, and sharing with others (Batson & Powell, 2003). More specifically, prosocial behavior is better understood as one’s voluntary action that is solely meant to benefit others. Prosocial reasoning is the motivating influences for an individual to engage in a prosocial behavior. Some research suggests that reasoning behind prosocial behavior is a motivation toward altruism, a principle in which one individual is selfless and engages in behaviors that help others, despite personal …
Newborn Senses,
2025
Nova Southeastern University
Newborn Senses, Ryan Bennett, Lisa K. Lashley, Charles J. Golden
Essays in Developmental Psychology
When babies are born, they possess all five senses-taste, hearing, sight, touch and smell; however, some senses are more developed than others. Newborns had previously been an enigma to scientists and little was known about their intelligence, motives, and capabilities. Neuroscientists are now able to map out a timeline of when senses are developed during and after gestation; this has given the scientific community and parents everywhere a better understanding of newborns and their ability to process their environment.
Newborn Reflexes,
2025
Nova Southeastern University
Newborn Reflexes, Ryan Bennett, Lisa K. Lashley, Charles J. Golden
Essays in Developmental Psychology
Reflexes are characterized as involuntary movements or actions and are a key indicator of a healthy brain and nervous system in newborn babies. There are five primitive reflexes that are common for infants who do not experience central nervous system (CNS) deficits. Furthermore, newborn reflexes are also considered to add adaptive value by increasing their chances of survival.
Divorce, Effects On Relationships,
2025
Nova Southeastern University
Divorce, Effects On Relationships, Nicholas Boston, Lisa K. Lashley, Charles J. Golden
Essays in Developmental Psychology
Divorce has been seen to have significant impacts on relationships both within and outside of families. In terms of friendships, the divorced couple is often seen to withdraw from other couples prior to the divorce in order to avoid sharing uncomfortable details. With more attention instead focused on friendships with individuals, divorced couples lose some, if not all, of their couple friends, whom may take sides either individually or as a couple. As well, fellow couples may not wish to be pulled into conflict. However, individual friendships tend to strengthen as the divorcees turn their freed-up time for attention towards …
Reasons For Divorce,
2025
Nova Southeastern University
Reasons For Divorce, Ryan Bennett, Lisa K. Lashley, Charles J. Golden
Essays in Developmental Psychology
Today, divorce is a common result for many couples regarding marital conflict and discord. The impacts of divorce have been linked to increased psychological distress, increased risk of substance abuse, depression, and poorer overall health when compared to non-divorced individuals (Amato, 2000; Hughes and Waite, 2009). Per Shelby Scott and colleagues, there are ten likely reasons for a couple to get divorced (Scott et al., 2013). By understanding these ten reasons, one may better conceptualize the overall factors that contribute to divorce.
Metabolic Theories Of Aging,
2025
Nova Southeastern University
Metabolic Theories Of Aging, Chris Burley, Lisa K. Lashley, Charles J. Golden
Essays in Developmental Psychology
Metabolic theories of aging postulate that aging is due to energy expenditure, which ultimately results in the breakdown and eventual death of cells. Historically, within the realm of metabolic theories of aging, there have been three models: The Rate-of-Living theory, The Oxidative Damage/Free Radical theory, and the Metabolic Stability theory. All three theories maintain that aging is directly related to metabolic rate, but the theories differ in how they arrive at that conclusion.
