In developmental psychology, how does observation contribute to our knowledge of individual development?

• A. Observation allows researchers to directly witness developmental changes and behaviors, providing empirical evidence that informs theories of individual development.
• B. Observation is not considered a reliable method for understanding individual development because it lacks objectivity.
• C. Observation is mainly used to confirm pre-existing beliefs about development rather than generating new knowledge.
• D. Observation only provides information about group trends and cannot be used to understand individual development.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the role of observation in developmental psychology as a method for gathering data about how individuals change and behave over time.
2. Step 2: Recognize that observation allows researchers to directly witness behaviors and developmental changes as they naturally occur, which provides firsthand empirical evidence.
3. Step 3: Consider how this empirical evidence from observation helps inform and refine psychological theories about individual development, making it a valuable tool for generating new knowledge.
4. Step 4: Differentiate observation from other methods by noting that it is not merely about confirming pre-existing beliefs but about discovering and understanding developmental processes.
5. Step 5: Acknowledge that observation can be used to study both individual behaviors and group trends, but its unique strength lies in capturing detailed, real-time data on individual development.