Developmental Psychology

Explain the Developmental Cascade: Identify the three parts of it

1. Childhood

2. Adolescence

3. Adulthood

Experiences from early childhood will have a significant role on you through to adulthood.

• These experiences can be good/bad both affecting the child

Name the periods of Development:

• Infancy

• Early childhood

• Middle/Late childhood

• Adolescence

• Young adulthood

Why is caring for children important?

So we know how different factors impact developmental outcomes such as:

• health & wellbeing

• parenting

• education

• gender & sex

• sociocultural contexts

What is Neoliberalism?

The theory that human well being can be enhanced through individual entrepreneurship

Explain the Trickle Down effect:

the idea that benefits given to the wealthy (like tax cuts or higher profits) will eventually “trickle down” to everyone else through things like job creation, higher wages, or economic growth.

Explain Exploitation under Capitalism & in Labour:

Exploitation - one person takes advantage of another

Exploitation in labour - unequal power between workers and their employers

What is Social Dominance theory?

The belief that all neoliberal societies create group-based dominance hierarchies, resistant to change

Explain what this means: “Children are the objects of Neoliberal Capitalism”

The statement “Children are the objects of Neoliberal Capitalism” means that, within a neoliberal economic system, children are often treated less as developing human beings and more as investments, commodities, or future economic resources.

Behavioural Theories contain what type of factors?

• Person

• Environment

• Behaviour

*All compliment each other

What is Evolution?

ability to adapt to environment you live in

What is Natural Selection?

traits that make a species more adaptable to their environment

What is Evolutionary Psychology?

The ability to explain human behaviour as adaptive behaviour

What are some of the issues that can arise from the Evolutionary Development?

• Falsifiability

• Massive modularity

• Uniformity of Evolution

What does DNA stand for?

Deoxyribonucleic Acid

Briefly explain Mitosis:

How cells reproduce - growth of a child occurs when cells clone and split (end up with 2 cells)

What is Meiosis?

Cells duplicate and divides twice

What is a Genotype?

a persons genetic material

What is a Phenotype?

How that genetic material is expressed

Explain the difference between a Homozygous & a Heterozygous:

Homozygous: having two identical alleles for a gene (e.g., AA or aa).

Heterozygous: having two different alleles for a gene (e.g., Aa).

Explain the characteristics of a child with Down Syndrome:

• see the world as positive (reduces risk of depress)

• flattened round face, protruding tongue, extra folds of skin over eyelids

• Caused by an additional chromosome

• Increased risk of heart attack

Explain the characteristics of a child with Klinefelter Syndrome:

• male born with an X chromosome

• undeveloped testes

• enlarged breasts

*Parents made aware their child will not be able to live on their own

Explain the characteristics of a child with Fragile X Syndrome:

• abnormality in X chromosome (usually damaged)

• prominent ears and long face

• issues with eating

*Do not put in overstimulating situations/environments

Explain the characteristics of a child with Turner Syndrome:

• caused by missing X chromosome

• short stature

• webbed neck

• infertility

• cognitive deficits

Explain the characteristics of a child with Phenylketonuria (PKU):

• cannot metabolize protein (special diet needed)

• caused by recessive gene

• can be treated with diet

Explain the characteristics of a child with Sickle-Cell Anemia:

• impaired functioning of RBC

• cell changes from oval shape to sickle-like shape

• increased risk on cardiovascular problems (heart attack)

*Can be treated with medication

Name the 3 periods of Prenatal Development:

• Germinal Period

2 weeks after conception, creation of zygote, can result in failed pregnancy (out of your control)

• Embryonic Period

2-8 weeks after conception, organs begin to develop, embryo formed, nutrition and protection of baby

• Fetal Period

2 months after conception, significant growth of fetus, trimesters now known

What is Spina bifita and how does it occur?

A birth defect caused by incomplete closure of the neural tube early in pregnancy, often linked to low folic acid.

During pregnancy what is the optimal amount of weight a mother should gain?

25-35 Ibs

Note: some gain more which can increase risks of hypertension, gestational diabetes, respiratory complications, infections, increased risk of birth defects

How much exercise should a mother do while pregnant?

Moderate exercise load - 3 to 4 times/week

LOW IMPACT

Prevents:

• constipation

• depression

What types of medications/drugs should a mother stay away from while pregnant?

• Caffeine

• Alcohol

• Nicotine

• Antidepressants

• Aspirin

• Accutane

What is the difference between a Doulas & a Midwife?

Doulas - not medically trained

Midwife - medically trained

*Both do same thing

In what cases would you need a C-Section?

• Fetal distress (baby not getting enough oxygen)

• Breech or abnormal positioning

• Placenta previa

• Failure to progress in labor

• Multiple births

An Apgar scale is most commonly used after a child is born to……

assess if the child needs any immediate attention

What is the Kangaroo method?

Constant skin to skin contact with mother.

• gives the body a sense that they are in the womb

• can hear their mum breathing which helps alter the babies breathing

What is considered a low birth weight?

less than 5.5 lbs

Results in an increased risk of long-term development issues

How is the baby exposed to oxytocin?

• Breastfeeding

• Skin to skin contact

*Positive effect on the child

What is the Dependence period?

A period in child development where the parent provides for the child’s needs

What are the 5 parts of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?

• Self Actualization (desire to become the most)

• Esteem (respect, self-esteem, recognition)

• Love & Belonging (friendships, intimacy, family)

• Safety Needs (personal security, resources, health)

• Physiological Needs (water, food)

Why is Dependency so important?

Because when the needs are not met, bad outcomes can occur affecting a child’s development (emotion, food, shelter)

What is the Cephalocaudal pattern?

head development first in human

What is a proximodistal pattern?

when the torso develops first

When does the major increase in growth occur in a child?

Growth spurts - becomes noticeable 2 yrs after birth

How does the brain develop in infants?

All babies are born with the neurons they have for life, but as they experience things the neurons expand

Why is shaken baby syndrome harmful?

It is extremely dangerous because a baby’s brain and body are not developed enough to handle forceful shaking.

Causes the brain to swell, fluid can build up in the brain, or even death can occur

What is Hebb’s Law?

“Neurons that Fire together Wire together”

If you practice something over and over (like a skill, memory, or habit), the neural pathway involved becomes stronger and more efficient.

Why are toys important for a child?

Gives them the opportunity to explore new experiences and helps them use their brain to adapt/create visualization

What is Rapid Eye movement?

When a child is dreaming (“Active Sleep”)

What is Non Rapid Eye movement?

child is not dreaming (“Quiet sleep”)

How does REM and NREM differ throughout infancy?

First 15 days: 50% REM & NREM

3-5 Months: increase in NREM

How many stages of Sleep in 90 min?

5 total

• 4 NREM

• 1 REM

What are Circadian Rhythms?

24-hour biological cycles that regulate sleep, wakefulness, hormones, body temperature, and other physiological processes.

• They are regulated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the hypothalamus, which receives light information from the retina and signals the body whether it is light or dark, helping control the sleep–wake cycle.

Taking children outside to get sunlight helps train them to sleep at night

TRUE - due to increase in melatonin

What happens if a child has less grey matter due to lack of sleep?

• increased risk of memory problems

• increased risk of emotion regulation

Explain the “Cry it out” method:

1. Take baby through bedtime routine

2. Place them in crib

3. Leave room and do not return

Explain the “Check & Console” method:

1. Take baby through bedtime routine

2. Lay them in crib

3. Check in on them regularly and console them if crying continues

*Most Recommended”

Explain the “Fading” method:

1. Take baby through bedtime routine

2. Lay them in crib

3. Stay in room with baby until they fall asleep

Explain the “No Tears” method:

1. Take baby through bedtime routine

2. Place baby in crib

3. Respond to the child with physical & verbal support every time they begin to cry

*Good for Children with Disabilities

How does parent/caregiver fighting affect a child?

• disrupts sleep

• child can see it as a form of love/care therefore thinks it’s ok

Name some of the benefits of Co-Sleeping:

• feeding easier

• increased bonding

• improves attachment

• reduces caregiver stress

What are the risks of Co-Sleeping?

• increase risk of suffocation

• increase risk of sleep fragmentation

What is SIDs? Why is it so dangerous?

SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is the sudden, unexplained death of an infant under one year old, usually during sleep. It is dangerous because it happens without warning and often affects seemingly healthy babies. Researchers believe it is linked to problems in brain systems that control breathing and arousal from sleep. Risk can be reduced by placing babies on their backs to sleep and following safe sleep guidelines.

Describe the changes in eating behaviours in children:

1st year - sucking and swallowing (rely on caregivers to feed)

End of 1st year - start to chew and swallow (can grab things to put in their mouth)

What is better for babies, breast feeding or bottle feeding? Why?

Breastfeeding is often considered more beneficial than bottle feeding with formula because breast milk contains antibodies and nutrients that protect babies from infections and support healthy development.

According to the WHO when should you avoid breast-feeding?

• when you are infected with HIV (can spread to baby)

• have active tuberculosis

• if mother is taking medication that can harm baby (Accutane, ACE inhibitors)

50% of babies do not latch onto the nipple for breast feeding

TRUE

Describe the Grasping Reflex:

Touch the babies palm and they will grasp onto your finger/grab ahold of things

• weakens after 3 months

Describe the Moro (startle) Reflex:

Baby is exposed to loud noises or the feeling of being dropped, they will arch their back and throw head back as well as fling arms and legs out to try to “catch” themselves

• Disappears after 3-4 months

Describe the Rooting Reflex:

stroke the babies cheek/side of mouth. They will turn their head and open mouth to begin to start sucking

• Disappears after 3-4 months

What are Gross Motor Skills and why are they important in fancy?

Skills that involve activation of large muscle movements.

• helps the child develop where they are and their surroundings

• teaches them to walk, run, move arms

What is a Fine Motor Skill and why is it important for child development?

Fine tuned movement skill such as grasping, using a utensil, buttoning a shirt

What is the large milestone in language of an infant at Birth?

crying

What is the large language milestone of an infant at middle of 2 year period?

starts to use gestures (showing, pointing)

first words spoken

What is the large language milestone of an infant at 18-24 months?

start to use two-word utterances

• rapid expansion of understanding of words

Give an example of Primary/Basic Emotions:

• suprise

• joy

• interest

• anger

• sadness

• fear

• disgust

Give an example of Self-Conscious Emotion:

• jealousy

• embarrassment

• pride

Occurs in the 2nd half of the 1st year of life

Name the two types of smiles and how they change over time:

• Reflexive

• Social

2-6 months = increase in social smiling

6-12 months = smiling with eyes and mouth open

2 years = increased awareness of the meaning of smiling

Why is crying important for babies?

Because it tells you when the baby is in need of something

Name and describe the 3 types of cries:

• Basic cry (hungry)

• Anger cry (something upset them, ie-loud noise)

• Pain cry (long cry followed by a hold of the breath)

What is Stranger Anxiety?

When the baby experiences a person they have not seen before, they can become scared/start to cry due to unfamiliarity

What is Separation protest?

When the child’s caregiver leaves the child with another caregiver/baby sitter

Name two ways infants can cope with emotional regulation:

• Thumb sucking

• Redirection

In order to meet a child’s needs they must be satisfied. How would you know if your child’s needs are met?

• happy

• smilling

• cooing

Frustration leads to negative emotions

TRUE

What is attachment?

The emotional bond between an infant and its caregiver

Why is face - face play so important in childhood?

One on one interaction with a child, can view their emotions

Social referencing is when the infant is able to

read emotional cues coming from other people

How many phases of attachment are there? Describe them:

Phase 1 - face interaction (birth - 2 months)

Phase 2 - primary caregiver (2-7 months)

Phase 3 - specific attachment (7-24 months)

Phase 4 - become more aware of others such as siblings attachment (24 months and onward)

What is insecure avoidant attachment?

• infant avoids caregiver (not sad when they leave)

What is insecure resistant attachment?

• child in distress when the parent leaves them (begin to cry)

What is insecure disorganized attachment?

• infant acts confused/disorientated instead of being upset

Why does attachment matter?

Because it plays a role in later years of development

Name and describe the three classifications of temperament in children:

• Easy (easy to adapt)

• Difficult (negative reactions, less adaptable to change)

• Slow to warm-up (low activity, hard to read)

A parents response to a child is more common in girls than boys

TRUE

When do infants form a sense of self?

between 15 - 18 months

When does independence occur? In what processes

Occurs during the second year

• Separation (move away from caregiver)

• Individuation (develop who they are)

What does it mean by family relationships are reciprocal?

Relationships (good & bad) affect the child

Ex: poor parent relationship = poor child relationships with their partner when they get older

Being a parent/caregiver is not the same as your adult self

TRUE a child will change you for the BETTER

What is Pruning?

a developmental process in the brain where unused or weak neural connections are eliminated to make the brain more efficient.

What is Myelination?

Myelination is the process by which a fatty substance called myelin forms a protective coating around nerve fibers (axons).

This myelin sheath acts like insulation around an electrical wire, allowing nerve impulses to travel faster and more efficiently through the brain and body.

List Freud’s stages of psychosexual development in order:

1. Oral Stage (0–1 year) – pleasure centers on the mouth (sucking, biting).

2. Anal Stage (1–3 years) – pleasure focuses on bowel and bladder control.

3. Phallic Stage (3–6 years) – focus on genitals, Oedipus/Electra complex.

4. Latency Stage (6–puberty) – sexual feelings are dormant.

5. Genital Stage (puberty onward) – sexual interests mature.