Ch 9 Lifespan Development

Psychology

Continuous Development

view that development is a cumulative process: gradually improving on existing skills

Discontinuous Development

view that development takes place in unique stages, which happen at specific times or ages

Nature

genes and biology

Nurture

environment and culture

Freud’s Theory of Psychosexual Development

process proposed by Freud in which pleasure-seeking urges focus on different erogenous zones of the body as humans move through five stages of life.

1. Oral, 2. Anal, 3. Phallic, 4. Latency, and 5 Genital.

Erikson’s theory of Psychological Development

domain of lifespan development that examines emotions, personality, and social relationships.

process proposed by Erikson in which social tasks are mastered as humans move through eight stages of life from infancy to adulthood

Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages of Development (8)

1. Trust vs Mistrust

2. Autonomy vs Shame/doubt

3. Initiative vs guilt

4. Industry vs inferiority

5. Identity vs confusion

6. Intimacy vs isolation

7. Generativity vs stagnation

8. Integrity vs Despair

Trust vs Mistrust

1st stage of Erikson’s theory. Ages 0-1 Trust or mistrust that basic needs, such as nourishment and affection, will be met.

Autonomy vs shame/doubt

2nd stage of Erikson’s theory. Ages 1-3. Develop a sense of independence in many tasks.

Initiative vs Guilt

3rd stage of Erikson’s theory. Ages 3-6. Take initiative on some activities- may develop guilt when unsuccessful or boundaries overstepped.

Industry vs Inferiority

4th stage of Erikson’s theory. Ages 7-11. Develop self-confidence in abilities when competent or sense of inferiority when not.

Children begin to compare themselves to their peers to see how they measure up. They either develop a sense of pride and accomplishment in their schoolwork, sports, social activities, and family life, or they feel inferior and inadequate when they don’t measure up.

Identity vs confusion

5th stage of Erikson’s theory. Ages 12-18.

Experiment with and develop identity and roles.

Intimacy vs Isolation

6th stage of Erikson’s theory. Ages 19-29. Establish intimacy and relationship with others.

Generativity vs Stagnation

7th stage of Erikson’s theory. Ages 30-64. Contribute to society and be part of a family

Integrity vs Despair

8th stage of Erikson’s theory. Ages 65+

Assess and make sense of life and meaning of contributions

Paget’s Cognitive Theory

Piaget thought development unfolds in a series of stages approximately associated with age ranges. He proposed that this development unfolds in four stages: Sensorimotor, Preoperational, Concrete Operational and Formal Operational.

Sensorimotor Stage

first stage in Piaget’s theory of cognitive development; from birth through age 2, a child learns about the world through senses and motor behavior

Preoperational Stage

second stage in Piaget’s theory of cognitive development; from ages 2 to 7, children learn to use symbols and language but do not understand mental operations and often think illogically

Concrete Operational Stage

third stage in Piaget’s theory of cognitive development; from about 7 to 11 years old, children can think logically about real (concrete) events

Formal Operational Stage

final stage in Piaget’s theory of cognitive development; from age 11 and up, children are able to deal with abstract ideas and hypothetical situations

Schema

(plural = schemata) concept (mental model) that is used to help us categorize and interpret information

Accommodation

adjustment of a schema by changing a scheme to accommodate new information different from what was already known

Assimilation

adjustment of a schema by adding information similar to what is already known

Kohlberg’s Moral Development Stages

Kohlberg believed that moral development followed a series of stages. He identified three stages of moral reasoning. Pre-Conventional, Conventional and Post- Conventional

Pre-Conventional Stage

the first level of Kohlberg’s theory, characterized by moral reasoning based on avoiding punishment and seeking personal gain, rather than societal norms or abstract principles

Conventional Stage

the second level of Kohlberg’s theory, characterized by an individual's focus on conforming to societal norms, rules, and expectations, prioritizing social approval and maintaining social order

Post-Conventional Stage

the third level of Kohlberg’s theory, characterized when an individual makes moral decisions based on their own internalized principles and values, rather solely on societal expectations or laws.

Prenatal Stages of Development (3)

Germinal Stage (Weeks 1-2)

Embryonic Stage (Weeks 3-8)

Fetal Stage (Weeks 9-40)

Germinal Stage

Weeks 1-2. Conception occurs. A zygote is formed. Mitosis occurs

Embryonic Stage

Weeks 3-8. Zygote travels down the fallopian tubes and implants itself in the lining of the uterus. Zygote turns into embryo. The placenta is formed. Basic structure starts to develop, head, chest and abdomen. The heart begins to beat and organs from and begin to function.

Fetal Stage

Embryo is now called fetus. Takes on the recognizable form of a human. Sex organs begin to differentiate. Fingers and toes are fully developed, fingerprints are visible.

Teratogens

biological, chemical, or physical environmental agent that causes damage to the developing embryo or fetus. ex: alcohol, drugs, smoking

Avg age for particular motor skill development

2 years- kicks a ball, walks up and down stairs

3 years- Climbs and runs; pedals tricycle

4- Catches ball; uses scissors

5- Hops and swings; uses fork and spoon

Cognitive development

domain of lifespan development that examines learning, attention, memory, language, thinking, reasoning, and creativity

Attachment

long-standing connection or bond with others

Types of Attachment

Avoidant, Disorganized, Resistant and Secure

Avoidant Attachment

characterized by child’s unresponsiveness to parent, does not use the parent as a secure base, and does not care if parent leaves. When the parent does return, the child is slow to show a positive reaction. Ainsworth theorized that these children were most likely to have a caregiver who was insensitive and inattentive to their needs

Disorganized Attachment

characterized by the child’s odd behavior when faced with the parent; type of attachment seen most often with kids that are abused

Resistant Attachment

characterized by the child’s tendency to show clingy behavior and rejection of the parent when they attempt to interact with the child. During separation in the Strange Situation, they became extremely disturbed and angry with the parent. When the parent returns, the children are difficult to comfort.

This is usually the result of the caregivers’ inconsistent level of response to their child

Secure Attachment

characterized by the child using the parent as a secure base from which to explore

Harry Harlow’s Monkey Study

He separted newborn monkeys from their mothers. Each monkey was presented with two surrogate mothers. One mother, was made out of wire mesh and she could dispense milk. The other mother, was made out of soft cloth, but did not dispense milk. Research showed, that the baby monkeys preferred the cloth monkey. Although unethical and cruel, this experiment proved that there was more to the mother-child bond than nourishment.

Parenting Styles

Authoritarian, Authoritative, Permissive, Uninvolved

Authoritarian Parenting Style

parents place a high value on conformity and obedience, are often rigid, and express little warmth to the child

Authoritative Parenting Style

parents give children reasonable demands and consistent limits, express warmth and affection, and listen to the child’s point of view

Permissive Parenting Style

parents make few demands and rarely use punishment

Uninvolved Parenting Style

parents are indifferent, uninvolved, and sometimes referred to as neglectful; they don’t respond to the child’s needs and make relatively few demands

Physical Changes in Adolescents

Adolescence begins with puberty. Adrenarche, gonadarche, the mature of the adrenal glands and sex glands. Primary and secondary sexual characteristics develop and mature. (Uterus and Ovaries and Testes). Development of breast and hips, facial hair, deeper voices. Menarche (menstrual cycles), Spermarche (first ejaculation). Rapid increase in height.

Changes in social priorities in adolescents

More complex thinking abilities emerge during adolescence. Continue refining sense of self. Work to from their identities and pull away from their parents. Spend less time with parents and more time with peer groups.