Life-Span Development Chapter 2 Notes

I.
Theory and the Scientific Method
A. Theory - organized system of principles & ideas that help explain phenomenon & make predictions
B. Hypothesis - a statement that makes a prediction between 2 or more variables (educated guess)
C. Scientific Method - Approach used to discover accurate information about behavior and development
1. Identify and analyze the problem
2. Collect data
3. Draw conclusions
4. Revise theories
D.
Descriptive Measures
1. Observation
*naturalistic - real world settings/natural environment
*laboratory - controlled setting
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