Developmental psychologist are interested in the way in which certain behaviours change over time and therefore are interested in the effects of maturation or biological differences that occur over time) and experience or psychological differences which occur due to exposure to the socio-cultural environment.

Developmental psychologists would be interested to explore why levels of obedience and prejudice differ at different points in people’s lives. The socialisation process might help to explain such differences. As gender roles develop over time these may affect the differing levels of obedience seen for example and the amount of exposure people have had to certain cultural values might affect the levels of prejudice observed and to whom.