Module 10 psych, prenatal development

Developmental psychology

studies physical, cognitive, and social changes throughout the life span

What are the three major issues that developmental psychologists focus on?

• nature versus nurture

• continuity versus stages

• stability versus change

Nature vs nurture

How is our development influenced by the interaction between our genetic inheritance and experiences

nature: unique genetic and biological combination

nurture: experiences and how environments, family, and peers influence us

Which is actually more prevalent, nature versus nurture?

neither, because we are formed by the interaction of nature and nurture processes 

Biopsychosocial approach

practice that analyzes how biological, psychological, and social-cultural forces interact

Continuity versus stages

what parts of development are gradual and continuous and what parts change abruptly in separate stages

continuity: development is dependent on learning and is a slow, continuous process

stages: progress through the same stages as everyone else in the same order

Stability vs change

which of our traits persist and which change through life

stability: some characteristics such as temperament are stable across the lifespan 

change: some characteristics such as attitude are less stable 

Zygote

first stage

when the life cycle begins (conception) and one sperm cell unites with an egg to form a zygote

ex. less than half survive the first two weeks

Embryo

second stage

the zygotes inner cells become the embryo, and outer cells become the placenta

Fetus

last stage

body organs begin to form and function and by week 9, the organism becomes recognizably human

Why is prenatal development not risk free?

because while the placenta screens out many harmful substances, some slip by

Teratogens

harmful substances, such as chemicals or viruses, that pass-through the placenta causing harm

ex. stress and anxiety are not teratogens

What are the two criteria required for something to be considered a teratogen?

• have physical form that passes through placenta

• cause harm

Fetal alcohol syndrome

physical and cognitive abnormalities caused by a pregnant women’s heavy drinking

What are some signs of FAS?

physical signs include when eyes are unusually pointed downward and infant lacks philtrum above upper lip

cognitive signs include social awkwardness and, in some cases, law-breaking

Epigenetic effect

changes caused by modification of gene expression but not genetic code

Are newborns incompetent?

no, they arrive with automatic reflex responses that support survival such as sucking, tonguing, swallowing, and breathing

What do newborn’s take a special interest in?

people’s faces, especially the faces of their parents

How do researchers learn what newborns can hear, think, smell and see?

through habituation studies 

Habituation

decreased responsiveness with increased stimulation

ex. getting so used to new shoes that we lose special interest in them