real devolpment

Nature vs Nurture

Debate over whether behavior is caused by genes (nature) or environment (nurture)

Continuity vs Stages

Whether development is gradual (continuous) or occurs in distinct steps (stages)

Stability vs Change

Whether personality traits stay the same or change over time

Prenatal Development Order

Zygote → Embryo → Fetus

Teratogens

Harmful substances (alcohol, drugs) that can damage development

Maturation

Biological growth processes

Pruning

Elimination of unused neural connections

Motor Development Sequence

Roll → Sit → Crawl → Walk

Infantile Amnesia

Inability to remember before age ~3–4

Schema

Mental framework for organizing information

Assimilation

Fitting new information into existing schema

Accommodation

Changing schema to fit new information

Sensorimotor Stage (0–2)

Object permanence develops

Object Permanence

Knowing objects exist even when not seen

Preoperational Stage (2–7)

Egocentrism and lack of conservation

Egocentrism

Inability to see from another’s perspective

Conservation

Understanding quantity stays the same despite appearance

Concrete Operational Stage (7–11)

Logical thinking about concrete events

Formal Operational Stage (12+)

Abstract reasoning

Babbling (~4 months)

Random speech sounds

One-word stage (~1 year)

Single-word communication

Two-word stage (~2 years)

Simple sentences

Receptive Language

Ability to understand language

Productive Language

Ability to speak language

Critical/Sensitive Period

Early life window for best language learning

Attachment

Emotional bond between infant and caregiver

Secure Attachment

Trusting, comfortable with caregiver

Avoidant Attachment

Avoids caregiver

Anxious/Ambivalent Attachment

Clingy but insecure

Disorganized Attachment

No clear attachment pattern

Harlow Study

Showed importance of contact comfort

Lorenz

Imprinting (early attachment to first moving object)

Authoritative

Strict + warm → best outcomes

Authoritarian

Strict + cold → obedient but less happy

Permissive

Lenient → impulsive

Neglectful

Uninvolved → worst outcomes

Adolescence

Transition from child to adult

Puberty

Sexual maturation

Primary Sex Characteristics

Reproductive organs

Secondary Sex Characteristics

Body hair, voice, etc.

Menarche

First menstrual period

Spermarche

First ejaculation

Limbic System

Emotion center (develops early)

Prefrontal Cortex

Judgment/control (develops later)

Trust vs Mistrust (0–1)

Dependence on caregiver

Autonomy vs Shame (1–3)

Independence

Initiative vs Guilt (3–6)

Taking initiative

Industry vs Inferiority (6–12)

Competence

Identity vs Role Confusion (12–18)

Who am I?

Intimacy vs Isolation (20s–30s)

Relationships

Generativity vs Stagnation (40–60)

Contributing to society

Integrity vs Despair (65+)

Reflecting on life

Preconventional Morality

Avoid punishment, seek rewards

Conventional Morality

Follow social rules, gain approval

Postconventional Morality

Personal moral principles

Key Idea (Kohlberg)

Not everyone reaches postconventional level

Menopause

End of female fertility (~50)

Aging Effects

Reaction time ↓, strength ↓

Recall Memory

Declines with age

Recognition Memory

Stays strong