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17.4: What kinds of assumptions guide the study of human development?

  • Page ID
    9360
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    There are many assumptions about humans and about development that underlie developmental meta-theories—some tell us about what development looks like and so are descriptive, and some refer to the causes of development, and so are explanatory (see Table 6.1)

    Table 6.1. Examples of Assumptions Underlying Developmental Meta-theories

    DESCRIPTION

    1. What is the nature of the person?

    2. What is the nature of the environment?

    3. What is the unit of analysis of change?

    EXPLANATION

    5. What is the role of the person in development?

    6. What is the role of the environment in development?

    7. What is the underlying hypothesized cause of development?