Person-centered Approaches to Studying Development in Context: (No. 101 New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development)

This volume introduces readers to theoretical and methodological discussions, along with empirical illustrations, of using pattern-centered analyses in studying development in context. Pattern-centered analytic techniques refer to a family of research tools that identify patterns or profiles of variables within individuals and thereby classify individuals into homogeneous subgroups based on their similarity of profile. These techniques find their theoretical foundation in holistic, developmental systems theories in which notions of organization, process dynamics, interactions and transactions, context, and life course development are focal. The term person-centered is used to contrast with the traditional emphasis on variables; the term pattern-centered is used to extend the principles of person-centered approaches to other levels of analysis (for example, social context). Contributors present the theoretical foundations of pattern-centered analytic techniques, describe specific tools that may be of use to developmentalists interested in using such techniques, and provide four empirical illustrations of their use in relation to educational achievement and attainments, aggressive behavior and social popularity, and alcohol use during the childhood and adolescent periods. This is the 101st volume of the quarterly journal "New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development".

Table of Contents:
EDITORS' NOTES (Stephen C. Peck, Robert W. Roeser).1. The Person Approach: Concepts, Measurement Models, and Research Strategy (David Magnusson) Distinguishing conceptually and methodologically between the variable-and person-centered approaches is a necessary prerequisite for understanding the relevance and power of applying pattern-centered analyses to the study of human development in context.2. A Person-Oriented Approach: Methods for Today and Methods for Tomorrow (Lars R. Bergman, Bassam M. El-Khouri) A wide variety of methodological and statistical approaches to conducting person-centered analyses are briefly reviewed. The match between research problem and method as well as common criticisms of pattern-centered analytic methods are discussed.3. Patterns and Pathways of Educational Achievement Across Adolescence: A Holistic-Developmental Perspective (Robert W. Roeser, Stephen C. Peck) Pattern-centered analyses (PCAs) are applied to the study of educational outcomes during adolescence. Using longitudinal data with cross-tabulations and ANOVA techniques, the authors describe four kinds of PCAs: time-point-to-time-point, developmental pathway, lifespace, and prodigal analyses.4. The Transition to High School: A Prodigal Analysis of Developmental Pathways (Tom W. Cadwallader, Thomas W. Farmer, Beverley D. Cairns) Pattern-oriented prodigal analyses are used to identify four homogeneous subgroups based on stability or change in risk and nonrisk status over time. Hierarchical linear modeling is then used to examine the unique longitudinal trajectories of the four identified subgroups.5. Heterogeneity in the Relationship Between Popularity and Aggression: Individual, Group, and Classroom Influences (David B. Estell, Thomas W. Farmer, Ruth Pearl, Richard Van Acker, Philip C. Rodkin) Pattern-oriented analyses are used to demonstrate that popularity and aggression can combine within individuals in ways that contrast with normative expectations and result in distinct implications for development.6. A Pattern-Centered Approach to Evaluating Substance Use Prevention Programs (Kenneth J. Steinman, John Schulenberg) Several longitudinal patterns of adolescent alcohol use are described, and person- and variable-centered analytic techniques are used together to assess different kinds of intervention effects.INDEX.