infants and children

Development

physiological, behavioral, and cognitive behavior that occurs over human live

Prenatal Development

development of an embryo

Ovulation

an ovum (egg) matures and is released into fallopian tube (halfway through menstrual cycle); hormones released help egg mature and cause uterine lining to thicken

Conception

through sexual intercourse, artificial insemination, or in vitro fertilization (IVF); sperm release enzymes that break down the outer layer of egg, allowing it to fertilize the egg

Zygote

(weeks 1-2) fertilized egg starts the process of cell division (mitosis) where the cells become more specialized to later form organs and body parts

Embryo

(weeks 3-8) when the zygote has 150 it travels down the fallopian tubes and implants itself in the lining of the uterus. the organs now begin to function

Fetus

(weeks 9-40) during the fetal stage, the baby’s brain develops and the body adds size and weight, until the fetus reaches full-term development

Birth

at about 38 weeks

Teratogens

 any environmental agent (biological, chemical, or physical) that causes damage to the developing embryo or fetus

Smoking could lead to…

premature birth, low-birth weight, stillbirths

Drugs could lead to…

premature birth, low-birth weight, birth defects

Alcohol could lead to…

fetal-alcohol syndrome

Blinking

close eyes if bright light is shone into eyes

Stepping

if the baby is suspended and is moving forward, they will try to step forward

Rooting

baby will turn its head if you stroke their cheek and open its mouth to try and suck

Withdrawl

if you put a soft pinprick on the baby’s foot they try to move away from it

Grasp

a baby can hold onto something

Newborn preferences

• Sweet-tasting foods

• Smell of birthing parent

• Face of birthing parent

Sensorimotor

(0-2 years old) defined by the direct physical interactions that babies

Object permanence

the understanding that whether an object can be sensed has no effect on whether it continues to exist

Preoperational

(2-7 years old) language development and thinking more abstractly about objects

Egocentric thought

way of thinking in which a child views the world entirely from his or her own perspective

Concrete operational

(7-11 years old) logical thought and a loss of egocentrism. Development of conservation. changes in the form of an object does not change the quantity of that object. 

Principle of conservation

knowledge that quantity is unrelated to the arrangement and physical appearance of objects

Formal operational

(11 and older) abstract thoughts 

Abstract thought

the ability to think about objects, principles, and ideas that are not physically present

Attachment

the emotional bonds that we develop with those with whom we feel closest, particularly between the infant and their primary caregiver 

Harlow’s Monkeys

babies have social as well as physical needs

Strange situation experiment

experiment where children were observed when they were in rooms with a parent, in a room with a stranger, and in a room with both a parent and stranger

Secure attachment

child uses the parent as a secure base from which to explore

child was distressed when mother left, happy to see them when they returned

common when caregivers are sensitive and responsive to needs

Avoidant attachment

unresponsive to parent, does not use the parent as a secure base, and does not care if parent leaves

child was slow to show positive reaction when mother returned

common when caregivers are insensitive and inattentive to needs

Resistant attachment

clingy behavior, but then reject mothers attempts to interact with them

child did not explore the toys, became extremely disturbed and angry when mother left, were difficult to comfort when mother returned

common when caregiver is inconsistent with level of response

Disorganized attachment:

show odd behavior around caregiver

behaved oddly when mother left (froze/ran around erratically), tried to run away when mother returned 

common when child has been abused

Erikson’s theory of social development

development of individuals’ interactions and understanding of each other and of their knowledge and understanding of themselves as members of society

Infancy

basic trust, basic mistrust, drive & hope

Infancy crisis

trust vs. mistrust

Infancy question

is my world safe?

Toddlerhood

autonomy, shame and guilt, self control & will power

Toddlerhood crisis

autonomy vs. shame and doubt

Toddlerhood question

can I do things on my own?

Preschool

initiative, guilt, direction & purpose

Preschool crisis

initiative vs. guilt

Preschool question

is it okay for me to do things?

Elementary

industry, inferiority, method & competence

Elementary crisis

industry vs. inferiority 

Elementary question

how can i be good?

Adolescence (physical development)

years between the onset of puberty and the beginning of adulthood

Adolescence (cognitive development)

the brain continues to develop throughout adolescence, and even into the 20s. The development of the frontal lobe is important during this stage. 

Adolescence (social development) 

 the image we have of ourselves, including our beliefs about our personality traits, physical characteristics, abilities, values, goals, and roles

Adolescence crisis

identity vs. role confusion

Adolescence question

who am I?

Early adulthood crisis

intimacy vs. isolation

Early adulthood question

Am I loved and wanted?

Middle adulthood crisis

generativity vs. stagnation

Middle adulthood question

will I provide something of value?

Maturity/old age crisis

ego integrity vs. despair

Maturity/old age question

have I lived a full life?

Puberty

developmental period in which hormonal changes cause rapid physical alterations in the body culminating in sexual maturity

Female hormonal production

estrogen and progesterone

sex characteristic development: ovaries, uterus, vagina, breasts, hips, pubic hair

Male hormonal production

testosterone

sex characteristic development: testicles, penis, adam’s apple, deeper voice

Moral reasoning

ways of thinking that determine what is acceptable, right, or proper within a culture

Lawrence Kohlberg (1927-1987)

known for his theory of stages of moral development. pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional

Heinz Dilemma

if a man steals a drug to save his wife’s life is it wrong?

Pre-Conventional

 focus on self-interest, avoid punishments, seek rewards

Conventional

care about pleasing others, uphold social norms

Post-Conventional

apply self-chosen ethical principles (e.g., justice, equality)

Adulthood (physical development)

years following puberty in which the individual has reached full maturity