Table 1.

Vocabulary for Describing Change with Respect to Time

Characteristic of a construct	Name	Graphical Depiction	Derivative	Notation	Dot Notation
Value of the construct: The value of a construct at a specific point in time	Level	Single Point	0th	(x)	x
Slope of the construct: The directional speed at which the level of a person’s construct is changing (with respect to time)	Velocity	Straight Line	1st	$\left(\frac{dX}{dT}\right)$	ẋ
Curvature of the construct: The rate at which a person’s velocity is changing (with respect to time)	Acceleration	Curved Line	2nd	$\left(\frac{d^{2}X}{{dT}^2}\right)$	ẍ