A Dynamic Systems Approach to Adolescent Development

Front Cover
Saskia Elske Kunnen
Psychology Press, Dec 6, 2012 - Psychology - 192 pages

The dynamic systems approach is a rapidly expanding advancement in the study of developmental research, particularly in the domain of adolescent development. It provides a unique way of examining the subject, and this innovative study of developmental processes helps social scientists to translate dynamic systems conceptualizations into clear empirical research that readers will be able to implement themselves.

The first part of this edited book discusses techniques that describe and assess specific process characteristics such as variability, sudden jumps and attractor states. The second part explores the different techniques for building a dynamic systems model, which can simulate the behaviour of a system to investigate the mechanisms behind the processes. Each chapter describes one technique and is based on a specific practical example of its application in adolescent development. Step-by-step instructions for model-building and examples of ready-made models are provided on the website that belongs to the book: www.psypress.com/dynamic-systems-approach.

This book provides a clear step-by-step description of theories and techniques that are designed for the study of developmental processes, and is therefore ideal for researchers of developmental psychology who do not specialise in statistics or research methods.

 

Selected pages

Contents

Introduction
1
1 A dynamic systems approach to adolescent development
3
2 General characteristics of a dynamic systems approach
15
The assessment of process characteristics
35
The assessment of mechanisms
91
Author index
165
Subject index
169
Copyright

Other editions - View all

A Dynamic Systems Approach of Adolescent Development
E. Saskia Kunnen
Limited preview - 2011

Common terms and phrases

action adolescent development adolescent’s agent model analysis attractor average behavior catastrophe model catastrophe theory cell chapter characteristics child commitment strength conceptual model concerns consists data points data sets defined degree of membership described development of meaning developmental process developmental psychology developmental trajectories discussed distribution domain dyad dynamic systems approach dynamic systems model dynamic systems perspective dynamic systems theory effect emergence emotional expression emotional variability empirical equation example exploration in breadth exploration in depth factors Figure Geert girls Granic growers growth Hollenstein hypotheses identity increase individual influence interactions iterative level of autonomy Lichtwarck-Aschoff logistic growth mathematical Molenaar negative non-linear normal distribution null hypothesis number of conflicts one’s outcome parent pattern positive range relation represents research question result sample Saskia Kunnen scale shows simulated trajectories specific spreadsheet stable standard deviation statistical Steenbeek step support parameter techniques transition University of Groningen van Geert Visual Basic

About the author (2012)

Saskia Kunnen is Associate Professor of Developmental Psychology at the University of Groningen where she researches and teaches dynamic systems modelling and the application of dynamic systems theory in the field of identity development in adolescence and emerging adulthood.

Bibliographic information

TitleA Dynamic Systems Approach to Adolescent Development
Studies in Adolescent Development
EditorSaskia Elske Kunnen
Editionillustrated
PublisherPsychology Press, 2012
ISBN1136511016, 9781136511011
Length192 pages
Subjects ›  › 

Psychology / Developmental / Adolescent
Psychology / General
  
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