Developmental Systems Group
The Developmental Systems Group (DSG) has been initiated late 2005 within HDFS, PSU. Its aims are to stimulate, coordinate, support and disseminate research and teaching about system thinking in the study of development, in particular developmental science. System thinking has a long history within the Department of HDFS. The DSG intends to build on this history and introduce new dynamic modeling techniques adapted from advanced mathematical systems theory and engineering for applications in developmental science. The necessity to consider new dynamic modeling techniques, in particular for the analysis of multivariate psychological time series, has recently become manifest as an implication of general mathematical-statistical theorems - the so-called classical ergodic theorems. The new paradigm put forward by the DSG to meet the requirements of the classical ergodic theorems is called Person-Based Design and Data Analysis. The paradigm provides a further integration of theory and method, providing new tools that articulate developmental theory.
The action program of the DSG consists of the following components: (i) Scientific Development, (ii) Computational Development, (iii) Educational Development, and (iv) Strategic Development.
Scientific Development
The current role of time series designs and modeling in psychology is marginal. Hence implementation of the consequences of the classical ergodic theorems will require a major reorganization at the levels of scientific modeling, hypothesis testing, and applications. Special emphasis has to be given to the integration of current approaches based on analysis of inter-individual variation and the new person-based approaches. Time series models and techniques of signal analysis as developed in e.g. econometrics and in the physical and engineering sciences have to be adapted, and new modeling techniques have to be developed, in order to meet the special needs of psychological research with respect to, e.g., individual developmental systems, family systems, and prevention/intervention systems.
Computational Development
Commercial statistical software programs now available hardly have suitable facilities to meet the requirements for multivariate psychological time series analysis and systems modeling. Within the DSG new software is being developed, but needs to be customized and made accessible for general use.
Educational Development
There are not yet any structured courses in person-based methodology and data analysis, and no suitable textbooks on the subject for the education of psychology students in general, and HDFS and other College of Health and Human Development students in particular. Within the DSG we are working on setting up a video network for no-line dissemination of courses in person-based data analysis and methodology. We are also working on texts and other course materials.
Strategic Development
Apart from the participants within HDFS, several other research groups within the US and in Europe participate in the DSG. New platforms have to be created within the major organizations of psychological research to support research in the new person-based paradigm. Also collaborations along these lines with for instance the medical and engineering sciences open up new possibilities for multi-disciplinary research.
The DSG will actively pursue the action program sketched above. In particular by the organization of a series of symposia with external financial support (e.g., APA, NIH) and the initiation and submission of research project proposals (NSF, ADA, NIH).
Participants within PSU:
Peter C.M. Molenaar, pxm21@psu.edu
Karl M. Newell, kmn1@psu.edu
Mike J. Rovine, mr7@psu.edu
Nilam Ram, nur5@psu.edu
Eric Loken, loken@psu.edu
Kathy E. Hood, ig4@psu.edu
Judi Jaus, jaj17@psu.edu
Participants in the US :
John R. Nesselroade, University of Virginia , jrn8z@virginia.edu
Steven M. Boker, Notre Dame University/University of Virginia, sboker@nd.edu
Richard M. Lerner, Tufts University, Richard.Lerner@tufts.edu
James T. Lamiell, Georgetown University, lamiellj@georgetown.edu
Jaan Valsiner, Clark University, JValsiner@clarku.edu
Phil K. Wood, University of Missouri, phillipkwood@yahoo.com
Alex von Eye, University of Michigan, voneye@msu.edu
Participants outside of the US :
Lars R. Bergman, University of Stockholm, lrb@psychology.su.se
Ulman Lindenberger, Max-Planck Institut Berlin, lindenberger@mpib-berlin.mpg.de
Programs
- THEIL: A FORTRAN Program for Robust Covariance Matrix Estimation
Program Manual (.pdf file)- Program file (.exe file)