Theory and Method in Life-Span Developmental Psychology….pdfVIP

DOCUMENT RESUME ED 119 832 PS 008 395 AUTHOR Stein, Aletha H. Baltes, Paul B. TITLE Theory and Method in Life-Span Development Psychology Implications for Child Development, PUB DATE 12 Apr 75 NOTE 20p.; Paper presented at the Biennial Meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development (Denver, Colorado, April 10-13, 1975) EDRS PRICE MF-$0.83 HC-$1.67 Plus Postage DESCRIPTORS Age; Behavior Development; *Behavior Theories; *Child Development; *Developmental Psychology; *Human Development; *Research Methodology IDENTIFIERS Developmental Continuity ABSTRACT This paper elucidates the implications of life-span developmental psychology fOi theory and method in the field of child development. Emphasis is given to three theoretical issues: (1) historical-evolutionary versus ontogenetic components of change, (2) the role of chronological age, and (3) continui4y versus discontinuity in the description and explanation of behavior development. Two methodological issues are discussed: (1) the conceptual and methodological distinction between developmental change versus developmental differences and (2) the problem of examining historical, distal relationships among variables. While none of these is completely novel in developmental psychology, lifespan research and theory has led to propositions and arguments which accentuate, clarify, and articulate important developmental issues. It is concluded that child development researchers need to recognize these issues and that such recognition should lead to a heightened understanding of the unique aspects of a developmental approach to the study of behavior and to novel questions, interpretations, conceptualizations, and methods of stud