Abstract

We present a basic rationale for studying intraindividual change processes in development and discuss some of the advantages and disadvantages of P-technique factor analyses for representing such change. An empirical example is presented to elucidate the application of the techniques and the interpretation of output. The data for our example come from observations of individual-level variables and social interactions of five Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). By referring to such a data base, we address many issues affecting observationally based data collection within intraindividual change designs. Although not commonly employed by developmentalists within the social and biological sciences, such designs can provide rich information for evaluating developmental theories.