FHS 1500 Unit 1 (chapters 1 & 2)
2025/2026. (Answered)
science of human development
the science that seeks to understand how and why people of all ages and circumstances change or
remain the same over time
Scientific Method
a way to answer questions using empirical research and data-based conclusions
Hypothesis
a specific prediction that can be tested
empirical evidence
evidence that is based on observation, experience, or data; not theoretical
replication
-repeating a study, usually using different participants, perhaps of another, age, location,
socioeconomic status, or culture
-conclusions are revised, refined, rejected, or confirmed after replication
5 steps of scientific method
1. curiosity - pose a question
2. develop hypothesis - testable prediction
3. test hypothesis - conduct research/gather empirical evidence
4. draw conclusions - use evidence to support or refute hypothesis
5. report results - data, conclusions, limitations, alternative explanations
Nature vs. nurture
*How much of any characteristic, behavior, or emotion is the result of genes and how much is the
result of experience?
*aka: heredity vs. environment, maturation vs. learning
*nature always affects nurture, then nurture affects nature
*their explosive interaction is crucial
3 domains of human development
1. Biological development
2. Cognitive development
, 3. Psychosocial development
correlation
*a number between -1.0 and +1.0 that indicates the degree of relationship between two variables,
expressed in terms of the likelihood that one variable will/will not occur when the other does/does
not occur
*looks at relationship, not cause
*when both variables rise or fall together = positive correlation
*when one variable rises, while the other falls = negative correlation
8 psychosocial stages
1. trust vs. mistrust
2. autonomy vs. shame and doubt
3. initiative vs. guilt
4. industry vs. inferiority
5. identity vs. role confusion
6. intimacy vs. isolation
7. generativity vs. stagnation
8. integrity vs. despair
Age range: early childhood
2-6 years
Age range: middle childhood
6-11 years
Age range: adolescence
11-18 years
Age range: emerging adulthood
18-25 years
Age range: adulthood
25-65 years
Age range: late adulthood
65+ years
Critical periods
a time when a particular type of developmental growth in body or behavior must happen for normal
development to occur
e.g. critical period for humans to grow limbs is between 28-54 days after conception
2025/2026. (Answered)
science of human development
the science that seeks to understand how and why people of all ages and circumstances change or
remain the same over time
Scientific Method
a way to answer questions using empirical research and data-based conclusions
Hypothesis
a specific prediction that can be tested
empirical evidence
evidence that is based on observation, experience, or data; not theoretical
replication
-repeating a study, usually using different participants, perhaps of another, age, location,
socioeconomic status, or culture
-conclusions are revised, refined, rejected, or confirmed after replication
5 steps of scientific method
1. curiosity - pose a question
2. develop hypothesis - testable prediction
3. test hypothesis - conduct research/gather empirical evidence
4. draw conclusions - use evidence to support or refute hypothesis
5. report results - data, conclusions, limitations, alternative explanations
Nature vs. nurture
*How much of any characteristic, behavior, or emotion is the result of genes and how much is the
result of experience?
*aka: heredity vs. environment, maturation vs. learning
*nature always affects nurture, then nurture affects nature
*their explosive interaction is crucial
3 domains of human development
1. Biological development
2. Cognitive development
, 3. Psychosocial development
correlation
*a number between -1.0 and +1.0 that indicates the degree of relationship between two variables,
expressed in terms of the likelihood that one variable will/will not occur when the other does/does
not occur
*looks at relationship, not cause
*when both variables rise or fall together = positive correlation
*when one variable rises, while the other falls = negative correlation
8 psychosocial stages
1. trust vs. mistrust
2. autonomy vs. shame and doubt
3. initiative vs. guilt
4. industry vs. inferiority
5. identity vs. role confusion
6. intimacy vs. isolation
7. generativity vs. stagnation
8. integrity vs. despair
Age range: early childhood
2-6 years
Age range: middle childhood
6-11 years
Age range: adolescence
11-18 years
Age range: emerging adulthood
18-25 years
Age range: adulthood
25-65 years
Age range: late adulthood
65+ years
Critical periods
a time when a particular type of developmental growth in body or behavior must happen for normal
development to occur
e.g. critical period for humans to grow limbs is between 28-54 days after conception
