Journal article
Studying a moving target in development: The challenge and opportunity of heterotypic continuity
Developmental review, Vol.58, 100935
12/2020
DOI: 10.1016/j.dr.2020.100935
PMID: 33244192
Abstract
•Many constructs show heterotypic continuity, but few studies account for it.•Not accounting for heterotypic continuity yields faulty developmental inferences.•Longitudinal assessment over lengthy spans may require changing measures over time.•Developmental scaling can place different measures over time on the same scale.•Accounting for heterotypic continuity will improve understanding of development.
Many psychological constructs show heterotypic continuity—their behavioral manifestations change with development but their meaning remains the same (e.g., externalizing problems). However, research has paid little attention to how to account for heterotypic continuity. Conceptual and methodological challenges of heterotypic continuity may prevent researchers from examining lengthy developmental spans. Developmental theory requires that measurement accommodate changes in manifestation of constructs. Simulation and empirical work demonstrate that failure to account for heterotypic continuity when collecting or analyzing longitudinal data results in faulty developmental inferences. Accounting for heterotypic continuity may require using different measures across time with approaches that link measures on a comparable scale. Creating a developmental scale (i.e., developmental scaling) is recommended to link measures across time and account for heterotypic continuity, which is crucial in understanding development across the lifespan. The current synthesized review defines heterotypic continuity, describes how to identify it, and presents solutions to account for it. We note challenges of addressing heterotypic continuity, and propose steps in leveraging opportunities it creates to advance empirical study of development.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Studying a moving target in development: The challenge and opportunity of heterotypic continuity
- Creators
- Isaac T Petersen - Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Iowa, 340 Iowa Ave., 175 Psychological and Brain Sciences Building, Iowa City, IA 52242, United StatesDaniel Ewon Choe - Human Development and Family Studies, University of California, Davis, One Shields Ave., 1312 Hart Hall, Davis, CA 95616, United StatesBrandon LeBeau - Educational Measurement and Statistics, University of Iowa, 600 Blank Honors Center, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Developmental review, Vol.58, 100935
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.dr.2020.100935
- PMID
- 33244192
- NLM abbreviation
- Dev Rev
- ISSN
- 0273-2297
- eISSN
- 1090-2406
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc
- Grant note
- DOI: 10.13039/100009633, name: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, award: HD098235
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 12/2020
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Center for Social Science Innovation; Psychological and Quantitative Foundations
- Record Identifier
- 9984070589702771
Metrics
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