Question

Check your understanding of the various research areas in psychology reviewed in this chapter by indicating which type of psychologist would be most likely to perform each of the investigations described below. Choose from the following: (a) physiological psychology, (b) cognitive psychology, (c) developmental psychology. (d) psychometrics, and (e) personality. You'l' find the answers in Appendix A at the back of the book. _____ Researchers interviewed the parents of 141 children (all born in 1956 ) every few months throughout childhood. Questions dealt with various aspects of the children's temperaments. The conclusion was that most children fall into one of three temperamental categories: "easy," "difficult," or "slow to warm up:

Short answer

Answer: A developmental psychologist.

Step-by-step solution

Analyze the given investigation

In the given example, researchers conducted an investigation on parents of 141 children who were born in 1956. They interviewed the parents every few months throughout childhood and asked questions about the children's temperaments. Based on their findings, they concluded that most children fall into one of the three temperamental categories: "easy," "difficult," or "slow to warm up."

Match the investigation with the research area in psychology

Let's briefly summarize the characteristics of each research area in psychology: (a) Physiological psychology: Focused on examining how biology influences behavior, emotions, and cognitive processes. (b) Cognitive psychology: Studies mental processes including problem-solving, memory, perception, and language. (c) Developmental psychology: Examines how psychological processes evolve over time, in response to genetic and environmental factors. (d) Psychometrics: Concerned with the development and application of quantitative methods for measuring psychological constructs like intelligence and personality. (e) Personality: Studies consistent patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that characterize individuals across time and situations. Now let's match the investigation with the appropriate research area. In this case, the study is focused on examining the children's temperaments and its impact on behavior throughout their childhood. It does not focus on physiological processes, mental processes, or quantitative methods for measuring psychological constructs like intelligence. Therefore, the most suitable research area is (c) developmental psychology.

Answer

The type of psychologist most likely to perform this investigation is (c) developmental psychology.

Key concepts

Child Temperament

Understanding child temperament involves examining the individual differences in children's emotions, activity levels, and attention spans. This is a crucial area of study in developmental psychology, as it helps researchers comprehend how these characteristics impact a child's interactions with their environment. Temperament is generally believed to have a biological basis and is seen as relatively stable throughout life, though it can be influenced by environmental factors.

Research identifies three primary temperamental categories: 'easy,' 'difficult,' and 'slow to warm up.' Easy children tend to be adaptable, approach new situations positively, and maintain regular sleeping and eating patterns. Difficult children may show irregular sleeping and eating patterns, are more likely to be negative in new situations, and tend to be less adaptable. Those who are 'slow to warm up' often exhibit a low activity level, can be somewhat negative, and show low adaptability, but they will gradually become more accepting with time and exposure.

Understanding these temperamental differences is important because it can influence the development of personalized parenting strategies and educational approaches. A child's temperament can affect not only their learning and social interactions but also the way they cope with stress or adjust to changes.

Psychological Research Methods

Psychological research methods encompass a broad array of techniques that scientists employ to collect data and test hypotheses about psychological phenomena. These methods are instrumental in developmental psychology, as well as other branches of psychology, and are carefully selected based on the research question at hand.

Some of the key methods include:

• Observational studies, where behavior is watched and recorded without intervention.
• Surveys and interviews, which collect data from individuals through questionnaires or direct conversation.
• Experimental methods, which involve manipulating variables to observe the effects on behavior.
• Longitudinal studies, where researchers observe and measure changes in the same individuals over time.
• Case studies, which provide an in-depth look at individuals or specific situations.

Each method has its own strengths and limitations. For instance, longitudinal studies, like in the exercise where psychologists interviewed parents periodically, are particularly valuable in developmental psychology because they allow for the observation of developmental changes over an extended period. They do, however, require a significant time investment and may deal with issues such as participant dropout.

Developmental Changes

Developmental changes refer to the psychological transformations that occur in individuals across different stages of life. In developmental psychology, the study of these changes helps scientists to understand not only the growth and aging process but also how individuals adapt and move through different life events and milestones.

The fascinating aspect of developmental changes is that they can be physical, cognitive, social, or emotional, and they vary from person to person. Some changes are fairly predictable, such as learning to walk and talk during childhood, while others may be more unique to the individual based on their experiences and environment.

One of the crucial considerations when studying developmental changes is the nature versus nurture debate. It revolves around the relative contribution of genetic inheritance (nature) and external factors like life experiences and learning (nurture) to individual development. Psychological research has shown that both factors play a significant role, often interacting in complex ways, to shape how we develop over the lifespan. Hence, understanding developmental changes requires an integrative approach, considering both innate tendencies and environmental influences.