Jump to Content

The Lifespan Development Research Group

This group, which has focussed primarily on ageing research in the past, has expanded its scope to include psychological development across the lifespan. More recently the staff associated with the group have developed interests in cultural and other aspects of diversity in development (particularly in relation to Indigenous Australians) and cognitive development during childhood, adolescence and young adulthood. Other interests include the impact of lifestyle factors, such as nutrition, on cognitive performance and cognitive and psychosocial development in mid-life.

Topics of interest include:

Clients

Other collaborators on projects have included:

Recent projects

The association between the development of the executive functions and goal setting, impulsivity, emotional regulation and risk taking

Project summary
Adolescence and young adulthood is a time of continued cognitive development, especially in the executive functions. Concurrently, this stage of life is associated with the increase and subsequent decrease in impulsivity and risk taking. Theories to date have not successfully linked these two areas of development and that is the aim of this project..
To date this project has been funded by internal University funding.

Key researchers: Dr Janet Bryan, Associate Professor Andrew Day and Honours students Suzanna Hodgson and Gaye Kittel.

top^

The structure and validity of the measurement of the executive functions

Project summary
The validity of the executive functions as separate cognitive constructs has been difficult to establish. This project uses theoretical models of executive functioning and intelligence to investigate the validity of the executive functions.

Key researchers: Dr Janet Bryan, Professor Ted Nettelbeck (University of Adelaide) and Dr Nick Burns (University of Adelaide) and Honours student Susan Num.

 

New Directions in Assessing Cognitive Processes and Generativity in Older and Younger Adults

Project summary
This project is funded under the ATN grants scheme (formerly ARC Small Grants). Using both quantitative and qualitative methods, this project aims to initiate the development of new directions in cognitive ageing research. It is innovative because it brings together two theoretical streams, positive psychology and cognitive psychology, to show that existing cognitive tests unfairly disadvantage older people, on theoretical as well as practical grounds. The methodology developed for this project is also being used in a spin-off qualitative project to explore aspects of Erikson’s psychosocial theory as applied to both younger and older adults

Key researchers: Dr Rob Ranzijn and Dr Janet Bryan and Dr David Cox (Health Sciences and Nutrition, CSIRO), assisted by Mary Janus and Gina Shu

top^

Grants


Ranzijn, R. and G. Andrews (1998-99) "Ageing and the economy: Social capital and productive ageing" performed for the Office for the Ageing (South Australia). $80,310.

Ranzijn, R. (1999) Aged Care Scoping Studies for the Department of Industry and Trade (SA) on the topics 'More effective employment of mature adults' and 'Recreation and sporting facilities and services for the aged'. $9,680.

Ranzijn, R. and Howells, K. (2000). Divisional Research Performance Fund grant: Fear of crime in older adults (Budget: $8,748)

Bin-Sallik, M-A, and Ranzijn, R. (2000-2001) Scoping study for Aged Care and Housing Group (SA) into Indigenous Aged Care. $10,120

Ranzijn, R, Caron, E. and Winefield, A. H. (2000). DEASS Research Performance Fund - quantitative research into mature age employment. $6000.

Ranzijn, R. (2001) Department of Veterans Affairs - literature review. $1,500

Ranzijn, R, Caron, E. and Winefield, A. H. (2002-2004). ARC Discovery grant (DP0211679) ‘Measuring and managing the intellectual capital of the ageing workforce’ $110,000

Ranzijn, R., et al (2002) UniSA Cross-divisional research grant ‘Bounded choices: Limits to decision-making about life transitions among older adults’ $38,000

Ranzijn, R., Bryan, J., and Cox, D. (2002) UniSA Research Development Grants Scheme ‘New directions in assessing the complexity of cognitive processes of older adults’ $22,000

Dollard, M,, Winefield, A. H., Metzer, J., Ranzijn, R, et al (2003-5) ARC Linkage International project (LX0348225) ‘The Australia-Netherlands project on work and stress research’ $55,718

Bryan, J., Boyd, C., Davey, L., & Day, A. Psychological maturity as an explanation for the ageing-out of crime. University of South Australia Category A Research Grants Scheme (2005 - $9403).

Howe, P., McDermott, R., Buckley, J., Morris, A., Bryan, J., Proctor, N., Misan, G., Harvey, P. & researchers from QUT, Curtin, RMIT, & UTS. ATN Centre for Metabolic Fitness: diet and lifestyle strategies to optimise health and reduce the burden of obesity-related disease. ATN Research Challenge (2005-2009 – $1,985, 000).

Cole, C. & Bryan, J. The effects of relaxation on anxiety and disruptive behaviour in people with intellectual disability. Apex Foundation for research into intellectual disability Ltd. (2005 - $13,548).

Bryan, J., & Day, A. Executive function as a mediator of impulsivity, risk taking and emotional control in emerging adulthood. University of South Australia ARC Discovery-Project Development Scheme (2006 - $10,000)


top^