Psychology: Development & Gender

Developmental Psychology

The study of changes that occur as an individual matures

What Are The 3 Main Issues Developmental Psychologists Study?

1. Continuity vs. discontinuity

2. Stability vs. change

3. Nature vs. nurture

Why Do Developmental Psychologists Care About Developmental Markers?

Because they provide a roadmap for typical growth, and help identify atypical development early

Cognitive Theories Of Development

• Emphasize the ways in which we process information and develop knowledge.

• Focuses on the development of thinking, logic, and intelligence

Schemas

A mental representation of the world that each of us construct, apply, and change as needed

Assimilation

Trying to fit a new object into an existing schema

Accommodation

Changing our schema to fit the characteristics of the new object

Object Permanence

Stage of development when a child realizes that people and objects are independent of their own actions

Representational Thought

Children’s ability to picture things in their minds

Principle Of Conservation

• Rule that a given quantity doesn’t change even when its appearance is changed in some way

• Occurs when children use centered thought

• Results in egocentric thinking

Zone Of Proximal Development

Children learn from watching and working with others

Scaffolding

Support given in the learning processes to help a student reach their goal

Social Learning Theory

People learn new behaviors, values, and attitudes by observing others

Socialization

Learning the rules of behavior of the culture in which you were born and grow up

Moral Reasoning

Deciding what is right and what is wrong

Pre- Conventional Stage

Moral code is shaped by the standards of adults and the consequences of following or breaking their rules

Conventional Stage

Authority is internalized but not questioned, and reasoning is based on the norms of the group to which the person belongs

Post- Conventional Stage

Judgement is based on self-chosen principles and moral reasoning is based on individual rights and justice

Imprinting

Inherited tendency of some newborn animals to follow the first moving object they see

Contact Comfort

Harlow found through a study on rhesus monkeys that physical contact is essential for development

Attachment

A deep emotional bond that connects one person to another

Sex

The biological difference between females and males

Gender

Refers to the social, physical, and behavioral traits that society considers normal for men and women

Social Stratification

Unequal distribution of power

How Do Children Acquire Language?

• Imitating family members

• Making cooing sounds

• Babbling

What Are Piaget’s 4 Stages Of Cognitive Development?

1. Sensorimotor (birth-2 years)

• Infant uses schemas that primarily involve their body and sensations

2. Preoperational (2-7 years)

• Child begins to use mental images or symbols to understand things

3. Concrete Operations (7-11 years)

• Children are able to use logical schemas, but their understanding is limited to concrete objects

4. Formal Operations (11+ years)

• Person is able to solve abstract problems and think about ideological issues

How Does Vygotsky’s Theory Differ From Piaget’s?

• Piaget believed that learning is independent whereas Vygotsky believed that is was collaborative.

• Piaget emphasized nature and maturation, Vygotsky emphasized nurture and social interaction

• Piaget believed that development precedes learning, Vygotsky believed that learning precedes development

Explain The Main Findings Of Bandura’s Theory

That learning occurs through observation, internal mental states drive behavior, and personal belief in one’s abilities dictates performance

Explain Erikson’s 8 Stages Of Psychosocial Development

1. Trust vs Mistrust

2. Autonomy vs Shame and doubt

3. Initiative vs Guilt

4. Industry vs Inferiority

5. Identity vs Role Confusion

6. Intimacy vs Isolation

7. Generativity vs Stagnation

8. Ego Integrity vs Despair

Trust Vs Mistrust

Infant is uncertain about the world and they look towards their primary caregiver for stability in times of uncertainty

Autonomy Vs Shame And Doubt

Children are starting to gain independence by performing basic actions on their own and making simple decisions about what they prefer

Initiative Vs Guilt

Children begin to assert their power and control over the world through play and social interactions

Industry Vs Inferiority

Children begin to develop a sense of pride in their accomplishments and abilities

Identity Vs Role Confusion

Children explore their independences and develop a sense of self

Intimacy Vs Isolation

Early adulthood when people are exploring personal relationships

Generativity Vs Stagnation

building lives in adulthood by focusing on career and family

Ego Integrity Vs Despair

Old age and reflecting back on life

Explain Kohlberg’s 6 Stages Of Moral Development

1. I do it so I don’t get in trouble

2. I do it so I get something out of it

3. I do it so you like me

4. I do it because it is the law, and I respect the law

5. I do it because of social contract we have with each other

6. I do it because it is the right thing to do

What Are Ainsworth’s Patterns Of Attachment?

1. Secure Attachment

• Infant may protest when mother leaves, but welcomes her when she returns

2. Insecure Attachment

• Infant becomes distressed when mother leaves, and angry when she returns

3. Insecure Avoidant Attachment

• Infant is not upset when mother leaves and indifferent when she returns

Explain How Lorenz, Harlow, & Ainsworth Contributed To Our Understanding Of Emotional Development

They provided that early social bonding is an innate, biological necessity for long-term psychological health, rather than simply a byproduct of being fed

How Is Attachment Important To Human Development?

It helps children feel safe and secure allowing them to develop healthy emotional and social skills

How Does Socialization And Biology Teach Notions About Gender?

Socialization teaches us through family, school, media, and culture.

Biology teaches us through contributing physical traits and hormonal differences.