developmental science
Definition
Developmental science refers to the systematic study of intraindividual change in behavior across the life span, encompassing the description, explanation, and modification of developmental processes while accounting for interindividual differences in those changes. When integrated with acculturation science, developmental science provides methodological and conceptual tools—such as longitudinal designs that disentangle within-person from between-person effects and account for developmental timing—to advance understanding of how acculturative change unfolds dynamically over time, particularly among immigrant youth who simultaneously experience both developmental and acculturative processes.
Sources: Titzmann & Jugert (2024)
Related Terms
Applications
Developmental Science and Acculturation
Acculturation processes are fundamentally processes of change over time. A developmental science perspective enables acculturation to be understood as an unfolding change process embedded in contextual developmental theory.
Sources: Titzmann & Jugert (2024)
Developmental Science and Immigrant Youth
Immigrant youth are simultaneously adolescents undergoing normative developmental processes and individuals navigating acculturative experiences; integrating developmental and acculturative perspectives prevents misattribution of behavior solely to ethnic or cultural factors and recognizes that immigrant youth face developmental challenges alongside acculturative change.
Sources: Titzmann & Jugert (2024)
