Define development and state why the study of child development is important.
Describe different historical perspectives of children and childhood and the implications of those perspectives for the historical treatment of and interaction with children (e.g., parenting, child labor laws, social policy, and legislation).
Summarize and describe each of the themes of child development regarding the origins of behavior (biological versus environmental influences), the pattern of developmental change over time (continuity versus discontinuity), and the forces that define and direct child development (individual characteristics versus contextual and cultural influences).
Understand how modern viewpoints and theoretical perspectives reconcile the positions of each theme.
Understand each of the overarching theoretical perspectives (structural-organismic, learning, dynamic systems, contextual, ethological and evolutionary) presented in this chapter. Describe each of the specific theories and relevant terminology presented within each perspective. Understand the notion that no single theory is comprehensive and how each of these theories contributes to our understanding of different aspects of child development.
Understand the perspective of each theory on each of the themes of child development.
Describe the scientific method and understand the importance of sample selection.
Describe the various methods of gathering data and the strengths and weaknesses of each.
Compare correlational and experimental methods. Discuss when each method is appropriate to use and provide examples.
Understand the difference between laboratory, field, and natural experiments and the strengths and weaknesses of each.
Describe the case study approach and reasoning for using this approach.
Understand the advantage to using a combination of methods and designs in developmental research.
Describe the cross-sectional, longitudinal, and sequential methods for studying change over time. Explain the different types of information each of these approaches yields about development, and the strengths and weaknesses of each method.
Explain why it is important to protect children's rights when conducting research. Discuss special ethical issues that should be considered (i.e., informed consent), and what precautions are taken to ensure that children are protected.
