Define Continuity In Psychology

Define Continuity in Psychology: Understanding Development and Stability

Introduction:

Have you ever wondered why some people maintain certain personality traits throughout their lives, while others seem to undergo dramatic transformations? The concept of continuity in psychology delves into this fascinating question, exploring the enduring patterns and consistent characteristics that shape individual development. This comprehensive guide will unravel the complexities of continuity, examining its different facets, exploring related concepts like stability and change, and providing practical examples to solidify your understanding. We'll also discuss various theoretical perspectives and explore the ongoing debate surrounding the relative contributions of nature and nurture. By the end of this post, you’ll have a robust grasp of what defines continuity in psychology and its crucial role in understanding human behavior.

What Does Continuity Mean in Psychology?

Continuity in psychology refers to the degree to which an individual's characteristics, behaviors, and traits remain consistent over time. This encompasses a broad range of aspects, from personality traits like extroversion or introversion to cognitive abilities, emotional regulation strategies, and even interpersonal styles. It's not about complete immutability – people change – but rather the presence of underlying patterns and predictable trends in development. A high degree of continuity suggests a strong persistence of individual differences across various life stages. Conversely, a low degree of continuity indicates greater susceptibility to change and environmental influences.

Types of Continuity in Psychological Development:

Several ways to understand continuity exist within the field of psychology. Let's explore some key distinctions:

1. Absolute Continuity: This refers to the absolute consistency of a specific trait over time. Imagine a child consistently demonstrating high levels of sociability from early childhood through adolescence and adulthood. This would represent a high degree of absolute continuity in sociability. However, absolute continuity is rare in human development. Most traits exhibit some degree of fluctuation.

2. Structural Continuity: This focuses on the underlying structure or organization of personality, abilities, or behaviors. Even if the outward manifestation of a trait changes, the underlying structure might remain relatively constant. For example, an individual's basic approach to problem-solving might remain consistent throughout their life, even if the specific problems and solutions change.

3. Relative Continuity: This perspective emphasizes an individual's rank order within a group. A highly anxious child might remain relatively more anxious than their peers throughout their development, even if the absolute level of their anxiety fluctuates. This represents relative continuity – maintaining a consistent position relative to others, even if the absolute levels change.

Factors Influencing Continuity and Change:

The interplay between nature (genetics) and nurture (environment) is crucial in determining the degree of continuity and change observed in individuals.

1. Genetic Influences: Heritability studies suggest that genes contribute significantly to the continuity of certain traits like temperament and intelligence. Genetic predispositions can influence the development of specific neurological pathways and physiological responses that contribute to long-term behavioral patterns.

2. Environmental Influences: While genes provide a blueprint, environmental factors play a pivotal role in shaping development. Early childhood experiences, family dynamics, educational opportunities, and cultural context all contribute to both continuity and change. Stable environments might foster greater continuity, while significant life events or environmental shifts can lead to substantial changes.

3. Gene-Environment Interactions: The interplay between genes and environment is complex. Genes can influence how individuals respond to their environment, and environmental factors can activate or suppress certain genetic expressions. This interaction highlights the intricate dance between nature and nurture in shaping human development.

Theoretical Perspectives on Continuity:

Several prominent psychological theories offer insights into continuity and change.

1. Psychoanalytic Theory: Emphasizes the influence of early childhood experiences on later personality development. While acknowledging potential for change, it suggests that early patterns of attachment and defense mechanisms can shape long-term relationship styles and emotional regulation.

2. Social Learning Theory: Highlights the role of observational learning, reinforcement, and imitation in shaping behavior. This perspective emphasizes the significant impact of environmental factors and suggests that behavioral patterns can be learned and unlearned throughout life, influencing both continuity and change.

3. Trait Theories: Focus on identifying relatively stable personality traits that contribute to individual differences. These theories generally assume a high degree of continuity in these traits across the lifespan, although they also acknowledge the possibility of modest changes in response to life experiences.

Continuity and the Life Course:

The concept of continuity is essential when considering the trajectory of an individual's life. Understanding the continuity of certain traits and behaviors can help predict future outcomes and inform interventions aimed at promoting positive development. For example, early identification of risk factors like aggression or impulsivity can allow for timely interventions to prevent negative outcomes.

Conclusion:

Continuity in psychology is a multifaceted concept highlighting the enduring patterns and predictable trends in individual development. While change is inevitable, understanding the factors influencing continuity, including genetic predispositions and environmental influences, allows us to gain deeper insights into the complexities of human behavior. Recognizing the interplay of absolute, structural, and relative continuity helps us interpret individual differences and design effective interventions that support positive development across the lifespan.

Book Outline: "The Enduring Self: Understanding Continuity in Psychological Development"

Introduction: Defining continuity, its importance, and overview of the book's structure.
Chapter 1: Types of Continuity: Absolute, Structural, and Relative Continuity with real-world examples.
Chapter 2: Genetic and Environmental Influences: Exploring nature vs. nurture and gene-environment interactions.
Chapter 3: Theoretical Perspectives: Examining Psychoanalytic, Social Learning, and Trait theories in relation to continuity.
Chapter 4: Continuity Across the Lifespan: Developmental stages and their impact on continuity and change.
Chapter 5: Measuring Continuity: Methods and challenges in assessing continuity over time.
Chapter 6: Continuity and Psychopathology: Examining the role of continuity in mental health disorders.
Chapter 7: Applications of Continuity: Implications for education, therapy, and personal growth.
Conclusion: Summarizing key findings and implications for future research.

(Note: The detailed explanation of each chapter would follow the same structure and depth as the main article above, expanding on each topic with additional examples, research findings, and discussion of relevant debates within the field.)

FAQs:

1. Is there complete continuity in anyone's personality? No, complete continuity is rare. People change and adapt throughout life.
2. How do researchers measure continuity in psychological traits? Researchers use longitudinal studies, tracking individuals over extended periods, and employing various assessment tools like personality questionnaires and behavioral observations.
3. What is the role of temperament in continuity? Temperament, an individual's innate behavioral style, is a significant predictor of personality traits later in life.
4. How does culture impact continuity? Cultural norms and values can significantly influence the expression and stability of certain traits and behaviors.
5. Can traumatic experiences disrupt continuity? Yes, major life events can significantly alter developmental trajectories and lead to substantial changes in personality and behavior.
6. What are the limitations of studying continuity? Longitudinal studies are expensive and time-consuming; attrition (participants dropping out) can also bias the results.
7. How can understanding continuity help in therapeutic settings? Understanding patterns of continuity can inform treatment strategies and help predict potential responses to interventions.
8. Does continuity differ across different personality traits? Yes, some traits exhibit greater continuity than others. For example, some temperamental characteristics show more stability than others.
9. How does the concept of continuity relate to the concept of stability? While closely related, stability is a broader term encompassing the consistency of any variable over time, while continuity specifically addresses the consistency of psychological traits.

Related Articles:

1. The Nature of Personality: Stability and Change: This article delves into the debate surrounding the stability of personality traits over the lifespan.
2. Longitudinal Studies in Psychology: Methodology and Challenges: A detailed look at the methods used to study continuity and change in psychological traits.
3. The Role of Genes in Personality Development: Explores the genetic contributions to personality and behavior.
4. Environmental Influences on Personality: A Lifespan Perspective: A focus on the impact of various environmental factors on personality development.
5. Attachment Theory and its Implications for Adult Relationships: Examines how early attachment experiences influence relationships throughout life.
6. Cognitive Development and its Continuity Across the Lifespan: Focuses on the continuity and change in cognitive abilities across different developmental stages.
7. The Impact of Trauma on Personality Development: Explores the effects of traumatic experiences on the stability of personality traits.
8. Resilience and its Role in Overcoming Adversity: Explores how resilience contributes to positive adaptation in the face of challenges.
9. Predicting Future Behavior from Childhood Traits: Discusses the potential for predicting adult behavior based on childhood personality traits and behaviors.

define continuity in psychology: Perceptual Organization Michael Kubovy, James R. Pomerantz, 2017-03-31 Originally published in 1981, perceptual organization had been synonymous with Gestalt psychology, and Gestalt psychology had fallen into disrepute. In the heyday of Behaviorism, the few cognitive psychologists of the time pursued Gestalt phenomena. But in 1981, Cognitive Psychology was married to Information Processing. (Some would say that it was a marriage of convenience.) After the wedding, Cognitive Psychology had come to look like a theoretically wrinkled Behaviorism; very few of the mainstream topics of Cognitive Psychology made explicit contact with Gestalt phenomena. In the background, Cognition's first love – Gestalt – was pining to regain favor. The cognitive psychologists' desire for a phenomenological and intellectual interaction with Gestalt psychology did not manifest itself in their publications, but it did surface often enough at the Psychonomic Society meeting in 1976 for them to remark upon it in one of their conversations. This book, then, is the product of the editors’ curiosity about the status of ideas at the time, first proposed by Gestalt psychologists. For two days in November 1977, they held an exhilarating symposium that was attended by some 20 people, not all of whom are represented in this volume. At the end of our symposium it was agreed that they would try, in contributions to this volume, to convey the speculative and metatheoretical ground of their research in addition to the solid data and carefully wrought theories that are the figure of their research.
define continuity in psychology: Personal Identity Harold W. Noonan, 2003 Personal Identity is a comprehensive introduction to the nature of the self and its relation to the body. Harold Noonan places the problem of personal identity in the context of more general puzzles about identity, discussing the major historical theories and more recent debates. The second edition of Personal Identity contains a new chapter on 'animalism' and a new section on vagueness.
define continuity in psychology: Reasons and Persons Derek Parfit, 1986-01-23 This book challenges, with several powerful arguments, some of our deepest beliefs about rationality, morality, and personal identity. The author claims that we have a false view of our own nature; that it is often rational to act against our own best interests; that most of us have moral views that are directly self-defeating; and that, when we consider future generations the conclusions will often be disturbing. He concludes that moral non-religious moral philosophy is a young subject, with a promising but unpredictable future.
define continuity in psychology: Handbook of Social Psychology John DeLamater, 2006-11-24 Psychology, focusing on processes that occur inside the individual and Sociology, focusing on social collectives and social institutions, come together in Social Psychology to explore the interface between the two fields. The core concerns of social psychology include the impact of one individual on another; the impact of a group on its individual members; the impact of individuals on the groups in which they participate; the impact of one group on another. This book is a successor to Social Psychology: Social Perspectives and Sociological Perspectives in Social Psychology. The current text expands on previous handbooks in social psychology by including recent developments in theory and research and comprehensive coverage of significant theoretical perspectives.
define continuity in psychology: Persons and Personal Identity Amy Kind, 2015-10-02 As persons, we are importantly different from all other creatures in the universe. But in what, exactly, does this difference consist? What kinds of entities are we, and what makes each of us the same person today that we were yesterday? Could we survive having all of our memories erased and replaced with false ones? What about if our bodies were destroyed and our brains were transplanted into android bodies, or if instead our minds were simply uploaded to computers? In this engaging and accessible introduction to these important philosophical questions, Amy Kind brings together three different areas of research: the nature of personhood, theories of personal identity over time, and the constitution of self-identity. Surveying the key contemporary theories in the philosophical literature, Kind analyzes and assesses their strengths and weaknesses. As she shows, our intuitions on these issues often pull us in different directions, making it difficult to develop an adequate general theory. Throughout her discussion, Kind seamlessly interweaves a vast array of up-to-date examples drawn from both real life and popular fiction, all of which greatly help to elucidate this central topic in metaphysics. A perfect text for readers coming to these issues for the first time, Persons and Personal Identity engages with some of the deepest and most important questions about human nature and our place in the world, making it a vital resource for students and researchers alike.
define continuity in psychology: The Routledge Companion to Philosophy of Psychology Sarah Robins, John Symons, Paco Calvo, 2019-10-08 The Routledge Companion to Philosophy of Psychology, Second Edition is an invaluable guide and major reference source to the key topics, problems, concepts, and debates in philosophy of psychology and is the first companion of its kind. A team of renowned international contributors provide forty-eight chapters, organized into six clear parts: Historical background to philosophy of psychology Psychological explanation Cognition and representation The biological basis of psychology Perceptual experience Personhood. The Companion covers key topics, such as the origins of experimental psychology; folk psychology; behaviorism and functionalism; philosophy, psychology and neuroscience; the language of thought, modularity, nativism, and representational theories of mind; consciousness and the senses; dreams, emotion, and temporality; personal identity; and the philosophy of psychopathology. For the second edition, six new chapters have been added to address the following important topics: belief and representation in nonhuman animals; prediction error minimization; contemporary neuroscience; plant neurobiology; epistemic judgment; and group cognition. Essential reading for all students of philosophy of mind, science, and psychology, The Routledge Companion to Philosophy of Psychology will also be of interest to anyone studying psychology and its related disciplines.
define continuity in psychology: The International Handbook of Psychology Kurt Pawlik, Mark R Rosenzweig, 2000-07-21 The International Handbook of Psychology is an authoritative resource covering all the main areas of psychological science and written by an outstanding set of authors from around the world. The 31 chapters cover not only scientific but also applied cross-disciplinary aspects. Supervised by an International Editorial Advisory Board (IEAB) of 13 eminent psychologists and edited by Professors Kurt Pawlik and Mark R Rosenzweig, it is being published under the auspices of the International Union of Psychological Science (IUPsyS) by SAGE Publications Ltd in London. The International Handbook of Psychology will be invaluable to advanced undergraduates, graduate students and academics in psychology, and will also be of interest to students of education, sociology, political science, humanities, philosophy, informatics, cognitive sciences, neuroscience, legal sciences and criminology, and will serve as a general resource reference text, written at a level comparable to Scientific American. `This impressive volume covers a tremendous amount of work. It is well organized: authors have generally kept to a standard brief. It is also truly international both in authorship and the origin of the work referenced. This will provide a very useful reference book for undergraduate and post-graduate students′ - British Journal of Educational Psychology
define continuity in psychology: Beyond Personal Identity Gereon Kopf, 2001 Applies Dogen Kigen's religious philosophy and the philosophy of Nishida Kitaro to the philosophical problem of personal identity, probing the applicability of the concept of non-self to the philosophical problems of selfhood, otherness, and temporality which culminate in the conundrum of personal identity.
define continuity in psychology: Reflexivity and Psychology Giuseppina Marsico, Ruggero Andrisano Ruggieri, Sergio Salvatore, 2015-11-01 Reflexivity is a category that is too appealing not to arouse interest. It is a concept largely diffused in several psychological domains, as well as associated with epistemological, theoretical, methodological and practical discussions. At the same time, it is a very polysemic notion, understood and used in many different ways. If one approaches the notion and tries to identify the semantic boundaries of its usage, the seeming solidity of the term fades away, and a rather liquid semantic field emerges – a field where several interpretations coexist, being contingent to the context of the discussion in which they are implemented. This is the reason that makes the notion of reflexivity a prototypical example of the difficulties encountered by Psychology – and more in general social sciences –in the effort to define their own language. The term “reflexivity” ? like many others the language of Psychology is full of – is used in daily life and thus its semantics is shaped by the pragmatic, contingent functions it serves in such communicational circumstances. The apparent – from afar ? clearness of the concept does not concern its conceptual, epistemic status, but the capacity of the sign to contribute efficaciously to mediate and regulate the exchange. The theoretical elaboration of the notion of reflexivity can be seen as one of the ways of performing the challenging task of developing an intentional language for Psychology. By working on such a notion one can realize that common sense lies at the core of psychological science and what it means to separate the former from the latter, so as to pursue the foundational task of developing Psychology as a theory?driven science.
define continuity in psychology: Handbook of Interpersonal Psychology Leonard M. Horowitz, Stephen Strack, 2010-11-17 Modern interpersonal psychology is now at a point where recent advances need to be organized so that researchers, practitioners, and students can understand what is new, different, and state-of-the art. This field-defining volume examines the history of interpersonal psychology and explores influential theories of normal-abnormal behaviors, widely-used assessment measures, recent methodological advances, and current interpersonal strategies for changing problematic behaviors. Featuring original contributions from field luminaries including Aaron Pincus, John Clarkin, David Buss, Louis Castonguay, and Theodore Millon, this cutting-edge volume will appeal to academicians, professionals, and students interested in the study of normal and abnormal interpersonal behavior.
define continuity in psychology: Procrastination, Health, and Well-Being Fuschia M Sirois, Timothy A Pychyl, 2016-06-29 Research on procrastination has grown exponentially in recent years. Studies have revealed that procrastination is an issue of self-regulation failure, and specifically misregulation of emotional states—not simply a time management problem as often presumed. This maladaptive coping strategy is a risk factor not only for poor mental health, but also poor physical health and other aspects of well-being. Procrastination, Health, and Well-Being brings together new and established researchers and theorists who make important connections between procrastination and health. The first section of the book provides an overview of current conceptualizations and philosophical issues in understanding how procrastination relates to health and well-being including a critical discussion of the assumptions and rationalizations that are inherent to procrastination. The next section of the book focuses on current theory and research highlighting the issues and implications of procrastination for physical health and health behaviors, while the third section presents current perspectives on the interrelationships between procrastination and psychological well-being. The volume concludes with an overview of potential areas for future research in the growing field of procrastination, health, and well-being. - Reviews interdisciplinary research on procrastination - Conceptualizes procrastination as an issue of self-regulation and maladaptive coping, not time management - Identifies the public and private health implications of procrastination - Explores the guilt and shame that often accompany procrastination - Discusses temporal views of the stress and chronic health conditions associated with procrastination
define continuity in psychology: Principles Of Gestalt Psychology Koffka, K, 2013-10-08 Routledge is now re-issuing this prestigious series of 204 volumes originally published between 1910 and 1965. The titles include works by key figures such asC.G. Jung, Sigmund Freud, Jean Piaget, Otto Rank, James Hillman, Erich Fromm, Karen Horney and Susan Isaacs. Each volume is available on its own, as part of a themed mini-set, or as part of a specially-priced 204-volume set. A brochure listing each title in the International Library of Psychology series is available upon request.
define continuity in psychology: Elements of Psychology Noah Knowles Davis, 1892 This treatise is intended primarily for those who have not already studied psychology, and now propose to give it thoughtful attention. It is therefore elementary, as its title indicates, and is introductory to the abundant and growing literature of the science. Though no previous acquaintance with the subject is requisite, yet as it can by no means be made light and easy, even an elementary treatise must presuppose mental maturity in the reader, and habits of thoughtful study. For him I have tried to prepare a statement of psychological doctrine broad and true, on which he may build by his own thinking and wider reading. If his occupations do not permit this, he will at least have acquired a rounded knowledge of the generally approved principles and chief features of the science. A reader already acquainted with the history and literature of psychology will find many familiar things restated. Let him remember that the treatise is for the novice. But he will find some familiar things modified, and some things new. A few may be indicated as follows : The material object immediately perceived; the argument for immediate perception; the modified view of intuition; the argument for duality; the relation of feeling to cognition; the character and place assigned to belief; the separation of feeling and desire; the defense of freedom in willing--Preface. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2007 APA, all rights reserved).
define continuity in psychology: Chaos theory in Psychology and the Life Sciences Robin Robertson, Allan Combs, 2014-07-10 This book represents the best of the first three years of the Society for Chaos Theory in Psychology conferences. While chaos theory has been a topic of considerable interest in the physical and biological sciences, its applications in psychology and related fields have been obscured until recently by its complexity. Nevertheless, a small but rapidly growing community of psychologists, neurobiologists, sociologists, mathematicians, and philosophers have been coming together to discuss its implications and explore its research possibilities. Chaos theory has been termed the first authentic paradigm shift since the advent of quantum physics. Whether this is true or not, it unquestionably bears profound implications for many fields of thought. These include the cognitive analysis of the mind, the nature of personality, the dynamics of psychotherapy and counseling, understanding brain events and behavioral records, the dynamics of social organization, and the psychology of prediction. To each of these topics, chaos theory brings the perspective of dynamic self-organizing processes of exquisite complexity. Behavior, the nervous system, and social processes exhibit many of the classical characteristics of chaotic systems -- they are deterministic and globally predictable and yet do not submit to precise predictability. This volume is the first to explore ideas from chaos theory in a broad, psychological perspective. Its introduction, by the prominent neuroscientist Walter Freeman, sets the tone for diverse discussions of the role of chaos theory in behavioral research, the study of personality, psychotherapy and counseling, mathematical cognitive psychology, social organization, systems philosophy, and the understanding of the brain.
define continuity in psychology: Time, Space, and Number in Physics and Psychology (Psychology Revivals) William R. Uttal, 2014-10-14 The crux of the debate between proponents of behavioral psychology and cognitive psychology focuses on the issue of accessibility. Cognitivists believe that mental mechanisms and processes are accessible, and that their inner workings can be inferred from experimental observations of behavior. Behaviorists, on the contrary, believe that mental processes and mechanisms are inaccessible, and that nothing important about them can be inferred from even the most cleverly designed empirical studies. One argument that is repeatedly raised by cognitivists is that even though mental processes are not directly accessible, this should not be a barrier to unravelling the nature of the inner mental processes and mechanisms. Inference works for other sciences, such as physics, so why not psychology? If physics can work so successfully with their kind of inaccessibility to make enormous theoretical progress, then why not psychology? As with most previous psychological debates, there is no killer argument that can provide an unambiguous resolution. In its absence, author William Uttal explores the differing properties of physical and psychological time, space, and mathematics before coming to the conclusion that there are major discrepancies between the properties of the respective subject matters that make the analogy of comparable inaccessibilities a false one. This title was first published in 2008.
define continuity in psychology: Continuity and Adaptation in Aging Robert C. Atchley, 1999 A celebration of the distinguished career of one of the major figures in gerontology. I highly recommend and encourage its adoption in advanced undergraduate and graduate gerontology courses. -- Contemporary Gerontology
define continuity in psychology: The Psychology of Scientific Inquiry Aaro Toomela, 2019-11-05 This brief sets out on a course to distinguish three main kinds of thought that underlie scientific thinking. Current science has not agreed on an understanding of what exactly the aim of science actually is, how to understand scientific knowledge, and how such knowledge can be achieved. Furthermore, no science today also explicitly admits the fact that knowledge can be constructed in different ways and therefore every scientist should be able to recognize the form of thought that under-girds their understanding of scientific theory. In response to this, this texts seeks to answer the questions: What is science? What is (scientific) explanation? What is causality and why it matters? Science is a way to find new knowledge. The way we think about the world constrains the aspects of it we can understand. Scientists, the author suggests, should engage in a metacognitive perspective on scientific theory that reflects not only what exists in the world, but also the way the scientist thinks about the world.
define continuity in psychology: Applied Developmental Psychology Frederick J Morrison, Catherine Lord, Daniel P. Keating, 2013-10-22 Applied Developmental Psychology: Volume 2 is a collection of papers from different experts in the field of psychology in an attempt to put forth a vision of psychology as a developmental science through its applications in different studies. The book covers topics such as essentialism and populational psychology, comprehension and comprehension monitoring, and theoretical and applied issues in the use of binaural sensory aids by blind infants and children. Also covered are topics such as the effects of maternal employment on young children and the subtypes of developmental dyslexia. The text is recommended to psychologists, especially those who would like to research on how the field can be viewed as a developmental science.
define continuity in psychology: Flow Mihaly Csikszent, 1991-03-13 An introduction to flow, a new field of behavioral science that offers life-fulfilling potential, explains its principles and shows how to introduce flow into all aspects of life, avoiding the interferences of disharmony.
define continuity in psychology: PSYCHOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN BEHAVIOUR BRAJ KUMAR MISHRA , 2016-06-04 Human behaviour—both complex and simple—is such a fascinating subject for study and research, and therefore, psychology as a subject is of tremendous importance to the students and the researchers. This accessible and student-friendly text in its second edition, shows the ‘what,’ ‘why’ and ‘how’ of human behaviour patterns. The text emphasizes controlled and systematic studies to explain such behavioural aspects as sensing, perceiving, modifications of human behaviour, memorizing, the recollection of past events, and affecting processes. The text is interspersed with many examples to illustrate the concepts discussed. The concepts are well-supported with experimental as well as observational facts. What’s more, the book acquaints the reader with the recent advances in the field of psychology.
define continuity in psychology: Understanding Human Development Ursula M. Staudinger, Ulman E.R. Lindenberger, 2012-12-06 K. Warner Schaie I am pleased to write a foreword for this interesting volume, particularly as over many years, I have had the privilege of interacting with the editors and a majority of the con tributors in various professional roles as a colleague, mentor, or research collaborator. The editors begin their introduction by asking why one would want to read yet another book on human development. They immediately answer their question by pointing out that many developmentally oriented texts and other treatises neglect the theoretical foundations of human development and fail to embed psychological constructs within the multidisciplinary context so essential to understanding development. This volume provides a positive remedy to past deficiencies in volumes on hu man development with a well-organized structure that leads the reader from a general introduction through the basic processes to methodological issues and the relation of developmental constructs to social context and biological infrastructure. This approach does not surprise. After all, the editors and most of the contributors at one time or an other had a connection to the Max Planck Institute of Human Development in Berlin, whether as students, junior scientists, or senior visitors. That institute, under the leader ship of Paul Baltes, has been instrumental in pursuing a systematic lifespan approach to the study of cognition and personality. Over the past two decades, it has influenced the careers of a generation of scientists who have advocated long-term studies of human development in an interdisciplinary context.
define continuity in psychology: Middle Age and Aging Bernice L. Neugarten, 1968-12-15 The process of aging is receiving an increasing amount of attention from behavioral scientists. Middle Age and Aging is an attempt to organize and select from the proliferation of material available in this field. The selections in this volume emphasize some of the major topics that lie closest to the problem of what social and psychological adaptations are required as individuals move through the second half of their lives. Major attention is paid to the importance of age-status and age-sex roles; psychological changes in the life-cycle; social-psychological theories of aging; attitudes toward health; changing family roles; work, retirement, and leisure; certain other dimensions of the immediate social environment such as friendships, neighboring patterns, and living arrangements; differences in cultural settings; and perspectives of time and death.
define continuity in psychology: PSYCHOLOGY B. K. MISHRA, 2008-11-05 Though psychology is a comparatively ‘younger’ subject as compared to allied subjects like Philosophy, Anthropology and Sociology, recent years have witnessed remarkable strides in its study. Indeed, writings on the subject have been both prodigious and prolific because of the enormous interest evinced by those interested in psychology and because human behaviour—both complex and simple—is such a fascinating subject for study and research. This accessible and student-friendly text shows the ‘what,’ ‘why’ and ‘how’ of human behaviour patterns. The text emphasizes controlled and systematic studies to explain such behavioural aspects as sensing, perceiving, modifications of human behaviour, memorizing, the recollection of past events, and affecting processes. The text is interspersed with many examples to illustrate the concepts discussed. The concepts are well-supported with experimental as well as observational facts. What’s more, the book acquaints the reader with the recent advances in the field of psychology. KEY FEATURES  Liberal use of examples to give a clear idea of the concept discussed.  Step-by-step analysis of various psychological facts to facilitate better understanding of the subject.  Presentation of new advances and discoveries in the field of various psychological processes.  Glossary of terms besides chapter-end exercises and summaries. Primarily intended as a text for undergraduate students of psychology, the book can also be profitably used by postgraduate students and all those who have an abiding interest in the study of human behaviour.
define continuity in psychology: Meaning in Mathematics Education Jeremy Kilpatrick, Celia Hoyles, Ole Skovsmose, 2006-03-30 What does it mean to know mathematics? How does meaning in mathematics education connect to common sense or to the meaning of mathematics itself? How are meanings constructed and communicated and what are the dilemmas related to these processes? There are many answers to these questions, some of which might appear to be contradictory. Thus understanding the complexity of meaning in mathematics education is a matter of huge importance. There are twin directions in which discussions have developed—theoretical and practical—and this book seeks to move the debate forward along both dimensions while seeking to relate them where appropriate. A discussion of meaning can start from a theoretical examination of mathematics and how mathematicians over time have made sense of their work. However, from a more practical perspective, anybody involved in teaching mathematics is faced with the need to orchestrate the myriad of meanings derived from multiple sources that students develop of mathematical knowledge. This book presents a wide variety of theoretical reflections and research results about meaning in mathematics and mathematics education based on long-term and collective reflection by the group of authors as a whole. It is the outcome of the work of the BACOMET (BAsic COmponents of Mathematics Education for Teachers) group who spent several years deliberating on this topic. The ten chapters in this book, both separately and together, provide a substantial contribution to clarifying the complex issue of meaning in mathematics education. This book is of interest to researchers in mathematics education, graduate students of mathematics education, under graduate students in mathematics, secondary mathematics teachers and primary teachers with an interest in mathematics.
define continuity in psychology: The Social Psychology of Ethnic Identity Maykel Verkuyten, 2004-12 In contrast to other disciplines, social psychology has been slow in responding to the questions posed by the issue of ethnicity. The Social Psychology of Ethnic Identity demonstrates the important contribution that psychology can make. The central aim of this book is to show, on the one hand, that social psychology can be used to develop a better understanding of ethnicity and, on the other hand, that increased attention to ethnicity can benefit social psychology, filling in theoretical and empirical gaps. Based on recent research, The Social Psychology of Ethnic Identity brings an original approach to subjects such as: * ethnic minority identity: place, space and time * hyphenated identities and hybridity * self-descriptions and the ethnic self. The combination of diverse approaches to this burgeoning field will be of interest to social psychologists as well as those interested in issues of identity, ethnicity and migration.
define continuity in psychology: Ten Things Video Games Can Teach Us Jordan Erica Webber, Daniel Griliopoulos, 2017-08-17 WOULD YOU KILL ONE PERSON TO SAVE FIVE OTHERS? If you could upload all of your memories into a machine, would that machine be you? Is it possible we're all already artificial intelligences, living inside a simulation? These sound like questions from a philosophy class, but in fact they're from modern, popular video games. Philosophical discussion often uses thought experiments to consider ideas that we can't test in real life, and media like books, films, and games can make these thought experiments far more accessible to a non-academic audience. Thanks to their interactive nature, video games can be especially effective ways to explore these ideas. Each chapter of this book introduces a philosophical topic through discussion of relevant video games, with interviews with game creators and expert philosophers. In ten chapters, this book demonstrates how video games can help us to consider the following questions: 1. Why do video games make for good thought experiments? (From the ethical dilemmas of the Mass Effect series to 'philosophy games'.) 2. What can we actually know? (From why Phoenix Wright is right for the wrong reasons to whether No Man's Sky is a lie.) 3. Is virtual reality a kind of reality? (On whether VR headsets like the Oculus Rift, PlayStation VR, and HTC Vive deal in mass-market hallucination.) 4. What constitutes a mind? (From the souls of Beyond: Two Souls to the synths of Fallout 4.) 5. What can you lose before you're no longer yourself? (Identity crises in the likes of The Swapper and BioShock Infinite.) 6. Does it mean anything to say we have choice? (Determinism and free will in Bioshock, Portal 2 and Deus Ex.) 7. What does it mean to be a good or dutiful person? (Virtue ethics in the Ultima series and duty ethics in Planescape: Torment.) 8. Is there anything better in life than to be happy? (Utilitarianism in Bioshock 2 and Harvest Moon.) 10. How should we be governed, for whom and by who? (Government and rights in Eve Online, Crusader Kings, Democracy 3 and Fable 3.) 11. Is it ever right to take another life? And how do we cope with our own death? (The Harm Thesis and the good death in To The Moon and Lost Odyssey.)
define continuity in psychology: A Short Introduction to Clinical Psychology Katherine Cheshire, David Pilgrim, 2004-05-25 Setting out the theoretical and practical dimensions of clinical psychology, the authors examine its origins, knowledge base and applications with different client groups, in different contexts and through different modalities.
define continuity in psychology: The Oxford Handbook of Chinese Psychology Michael Harris Bond, 2010 In recent years China has witnessed unprecedented economic growth, emerging as a powerful, influential player on the global stage. Now, more than ever, there is a great interest and need within the West to better understand the psychological and social processes that characterize the Chinese people. The Oxford Handbook of Chinese Psychology is the first book of its kind - a comprehensive and commanding review of Chinese psychology, covering areas of human functioning with unparalleled sophistication and complexity. In 42 chapters, leading authorities cite and integrate both English and Chinese-language research in topic areas ranging from the socialization of children, mathematics achievement, emotion, bilingualism and Chinese styles of thinking to Chinese identity, personal relationships, leadership processes and psychopathology. With all chapters accessibly written by the leading researchers in their respective fields, the reader of this volume will learn how and why China has developed in the way it has, and how it is likely to develop. In addition, the book shows how a better understanding of a culture so different to our own can tell us so much about our own culture and sense of identity. A book of extraordinary breadth, The Oxford Handbook of Chinese Psychology will become the essential sourcebook for any scholar or practitioner attempting to understand the psychological functioning of the world's largest ethnic group.
define continuity in psychology: Developmental Psychology Richard M. Lerner, 2019-11-28 Originally published in 1983, the purpose of this book was to discuss the relations between philosophy and developmental psychology, as those relations existed over the course of the history of the discipline and as they existed at that time. Although not all portions of developmental psychology are surveyed, major proponents of several key areas are represented (e.g. organismic developmental theory, stage theory, life-span-developmental psychology, and the ecological approach to development). In addition, discussion of many currently prominent issues are included (e.g. constancy and change in human development, the use of multivariate models and methods, the role of the context in individual development, and the use of developmental theory in public policy and political arenas). The diversity of approaches and of interests present in the book are representative of the breadth of theoretical and empirical interests found in developmental psychology at the time.
define continuity in psychology: The Concise Corsini Encyclopedia of Psychology and Behavioral Science W. Edward Craighead, Charles B. Nemeroff, 2004-04-12 Edited by high caliber experts, and contributed to by quality researchers and practitioners in psychology and related fields. Includes over 500 topical entries Each entry features suggested readings and extensive cross-referencing Accessible to students and general readers Edited by two outstanding scholars and clinicians
define continuity in psychology: Problematic Research Practices and Inertia in Scientific Psychology James T. Lamiell, Kathleen L. Slaney, 2020-11-04 This volume explores the abiding intellectual inertia in scientific psychology in relation to the discipline’s engagement with problematic beliefs and assumptions underlying mainstream research practices, despite repeated critical analyses which reveal the weaknesses, and in some cases complete inappropriateness, of these methods. Such paradigmatic inertia is especially troublesome for a scholarly discipline claiming status as a science. The book offers penetrating analyses of many (albeit not all) of the most important areas where mainstream practices require either compelling justifications for their continuation or adjustments – possibly including abandonment – toward more apposite alternatives. Specific areas of concern addressed in this book include the systemic misinterpretation of statistical knowledge; the prevalence of a conception of measurement at odds with yet purporting to mimic the natural sciences; the continuing widespread reliance on null hypothesis testing; and the continuing resistance within psychology to the explicit incorporation of qualitative methods into its methodological toolbox. Broader level chapters examine mainstream psychology’s systemic disregard for critical analysis of its tenets, and the epistemic and ethical problems this has created. This is a vital and engaging resource for researchers across psychology, and those in the wider behavioural and social sciences who have an interest in, or who use, psychological research methods.
define continuity in psychology: The Broadview Introduction to Philosophy Andrew Bailey, 2019-05-21 The Broadview Introduction to Philosophy is a comprehensive anthology that surveys core topics in Western philosophy, including philosophy of religion, theories of knowledge, metaphysics, ethics, social-political philosophy, and issues of life, death, and happiness. Unlike other introductory anthologies, the Broadview offers considerable apparatus to assist the student reader in understanding the texts without simply summarizing them. Each selection includes an introduction discussing the context and structure of the primary reading, as well as thorough annotations designed to clarify unfamiliar terms, references, and argument forms. Canonical texts from the history of philosophy are presented alongside contemporary scholarship; women authors are included throughout.
define continuity in psychology: The Broadview Introduction to Philosophy Volume I: Knowledge and Reality Andrew Bailey, 2019-06-18 This volume of The Broadview Introduction to Philosophy offers a thoughtful selection of readings in epistemology, metaphysics, and the philosophy of religion. Substantial selections from important historical texts are provided (including the entirety of Descartes’s Meditations), as are a number of contemporary readings on each topic. Unlike other introductory anthologies, the Broadview offers considerable apparatus to assist the student reader in understanding the texts without simply summarizing them. Each selection includes an introduction discussing the context and structure of the primary reading, as well as thorough annotations designed to clarify unfamiliar terms, references, and argument forms.
define continuity in psychology: Keys to Educational Psychology Liesel Ebersöhn, Irma Eloff, 2004-06 If you are curious about Educational Psychology, this book is for you. You can read the chapters in any sequence, or you can start at the beginning, because this book provides myriad keys to the wonderful variety of themes in Educational Psychology today. Written by leading psychologists, researchers and practitioners, this book focuses on all the positive constructs in Educational Psychology and reflects on the wide range of strengths, assets and resources available to the educational psychologist. Each chapter presents an integrated overview, cutting-edge definitions of key concepts, quotations from professionals and students, and reflective questions to guide your practice. Written primarily by South Africans, this book is particularly relevant to the local environment and presents practical application strategies. Indigenous knowledge is infused with international perspectives, and equal emphasis is placed on the learner and on the social context, on assessment and intervention, and on theory and practice. The book is extremely accessible to students, but will also be invaluable for teachers, psychologists, researchers and health professionals.
define continuity in psychology: The Psychology of Culture Edward Sapir, 2002 This work presents Sapir's most comprehensive statement on the concepts of culture, on method and theory in anthropology and other social sciences, on personality organization, and on the individual's place in culture and society. Extensive discussions on the role of language and other symbolic systems in culture, ethnographic method, and social interaction are also included. Ethnographic and linguistic examples are drawn from Sapir's fieldwork among native North Americans and from European and American society as well. Edward Sapir (1884-1939), one of this century's leading figures in American anthropology and linguistics, planned to publish a major theoretical state - ment on culture and psychology. He developed his ideas in a course of lectures presented at Yale University in the 1930s, which attracted a wide audience from many social science disciplines. Unfortunately, he died before the book he had contracted to publish could be realized. Like de Saussure's Cours de Linguistique Générale before it, this work has been reconstructed from student notes, in this case twentytwo sets, as well as from Sapir's manuscript materials. Judith Irvine's meticulous reconstruction makes Sapir's compelling ideas - of surprisingly contemporary resonance - available for the first time.
define continuity in psychology: Organizational Psychology Steve M. Jex, Thomas W. Britt, 2008-06-02 Thorough and up-to-date coverage of both the science and practice of organizational psychology This Second Edition reflects the latest developments and research in the field using a scientist-practitioner model that expertly integrates multicultural and international issues as it addresses the most current knowledge and topics in the practice of organizational psychology. Beginning with a foundation of research methodology, this text examines the behavior of individuals in organizational settings and shows readers how psychological models can be used to improve employee morale, productivity, and quality of service. Written in an accessible style that brings the material to life, author Steve Jex and new coauthor Thomas Britt use their experiences as consultants and educators to bring new features to the Second Edition, including: Updated chapters, particularly those on job attitudes, teams, and leadership New People Behind the Research and Illuminating Examples boxes New coverage of workplace stress, teams, and multicultural socialization More material on personal difference, personality, and considerations of diversity Extended coverage of financial incentives and executive compensation Using descriptive cases to illustrate workplace issues, Organizational Psychology, Second Edition thoroughly addresses the major motivational theories in organizational psychology and the mechanisms that organizations use to influence employees' behavior.
define continuity in psychology: A Quarter Century of Community Psychology Tracey A. Revenson, Anthony R. D'Augelli, Sabine E. French, Diane Hughes, David E. Livert, Edward Seidman, Marybeth Shinn, Hirokazu Yoshikawa, 2011-06-27 This work contains original research from the first 25 years of the American Journal of Community Psychology, selected to reflect community psychology's rich tradition of theory, empirical research, action, and innovative methods. This volume will be of interest to community mental health workers, social science and social work researchers, health care professionals, policymakers, and educators in the fields of community and preventative psychology.
define continuity in psychology: A Dictionary of Psychological Medicine Daniel Hack Tuke, 1892
define continuity in psychology: Mind, Meaning, and Reality D. H. Mellor, 2012-08-30 Mind, Meaning, and Reality contains fifteen philosophical papers by D. H. Mellor, including a new defence of 'success semantics', and an introduction arguing that metaphysics can and need only be justified by doing it and not by a 'meta-metaphysics', which it needs no more than physics needs metaphysics. The papers are grouped into three parts. Part I is about how the ways we are disposed to act fix both what we believe and what we use language to mean. Part II is about what there is: the reality of dispositions; what makes beliefs and sentences true; why there is only one universe; and how social groups, and other things composed of parts, are related to the people and other things that constitute them. Part III is about time, and includes discussions of twentieth century developments in the philosophy of time; why Kant was right about tense, even though he was wrong about time; why forward time travel is trivial and backward time travel impossible; and what gives time its direction.
define continuity in psychology: The Psychological Development of Girls and Women Sheila Greene, 2014-02-25 In this book, Sheila Greene presents a challenging new perspective on the psychological development of girls and women which emphasises the central role of time in human development. She critically reviews traditional and contemporary theoretical approaches - ranging from orthodox psychoanalysis to relational and post-modern theories - and argues that even those claiming to be focused on development have presented a view of women's lives as fixed and determined by their nature or their past. These theories, she believes, should be rejected because of their inherent lack of validity and their frequently oppressive implications for women. Greene's approach places primary importance on temporality itself and on the competing discourses on time, age and development which play an active role in the construction of the lives of girls and women. Essential but often neglected insights from the more compelling developmental and feminist theories are woven together within a theoretical framework that emphasises temporality, emergence and human agency. The result is a liberating theory of women's psychological development as constantly emerging and changing in time rather than as static and fixed by their nature, socio-cultural context and personal history. The Psychological Development of Girls and Women will be essential reading for students and researchers in the psychology of women, developmental psychology and women's studies.