Psychology - Developmental psychology

When does the brain develop most

between birth and adolescence

Myelination

the process that provides the foundation for brain connectivity and supports the development of cognitive and behavioural functionning.

The 3 areas that the brain develops a few weeks after conception

1. hindbrain + brain stem

2. midbrain

3. forebrain

The hindbrain + brain stem are responsible for…

the fundamental functions

The midbrain is responsible for…

motor movement

The forebrain is responsible for…

cognitive functioning

The brain of a newborn is made of…

• a functioning nervous system

• a visual system

  • a core consciousness

The newborn’s brain: fastest growth

• brain stem

• primary cortexes

The newborn’s brain: functions

• touch

• movement

• emotion

2-3 months baby’s brain: fastest growth

• parietal and temporal lobes

• visual cortex

• cerebellum

2-3 months baby’s brain: function

• sensation

• perception

• motor learning

6-12 months baby’s brain: fastest growth

• frontal cortex

6-12 months baby’s brain: function

• cognition

Piaget’s theory

Children’s behaviour and cognition is related with brain development. Children only learn as much as they biologically can.

(Piaget) Stage 1: birth - 2 years old

Sensorimotor stage

• reflexes

• 5 senses

• object permanence

Object permanence

Objects exist even when they can’t be seen.

(Piaget) Stage 2: 2 - 7 years old

Preoperational stage

• speech

• symbolic thinking

• conservation of matter (the water in the cup thing)

(Piaget) Stage 3: 7 - 12 years old

Concrete operational stage

→ children can see things from another pov

• logical thinking

• conservation of matter

(Piaget) Stage 4: 12 - 20 years old [last stage]

Formal operational stage

• abstract logical thinking

• symbolic thinking

• problem-solving

Vygotsky’s theory

Cognitive development is not a biological individual process. It is a sociocultural process.

ZDP

Zone of proximal development

How does the ZDP work

Can’t do yet > ZDP (learner’s ability to complete tasks with assistance) > can do alone

The importance of play allows to…

extended cognitive abilities

Pre intellectual speech - young babies

laugh, cry, gestures

Autonomous speech - from 12 months

mimic words

Naive speech - 18 to 24 months

share wishes in simple language

Egocentric and communicative speech - from 3 years old

• egocentric speech: solve problem by yourself

• communicative to others