Time-structured and net intraindividual variability: Tools for examining the development of dynamic characteristics and processes.

• DOI: 10.1037/a0017915
• Publication Date: 2009-12-22T00:53:39Z
• Authors: Nilam Ram; Denis Gerstorf
• Keywords: Lability

The study of intraindividual variability is the fluctuations, oscillations, adaptations, and "noise" in behavioral outcomes that manifest on microtime scales. This article provides a descriptive frame for combined aging/development. At conceptual level, we show access to dynamic characteristics-construct-level descriptions individuals' capacities change (e.g., lability)--and processes--the systematic changes individuals exhibit response endogenous exogenous influences regulation). methodological review how quantifications net models time-structured are used measure describe characteristics processes. research design point benefits measurement-burst designs, wherein data obtained across multiple time scales, development.