382 infant child dev, EXAM 1

What is Development?

(relatively) Permanent -> has a set order -> over lifespan

What is Developmental Psychology?

the scientific study of how and why people change, grow, and adapt throughout their entire lives

Continuity

Steady incremental change over a period

Discontinuity

Transformations (think of stepping stones leading up a path)

Nature

Biology/Genes

Nurture

Environment

Experimental studies

research methods where investigators actively manipulate one or more independent variables to observe their effect on dependent variables

Quasi- Experimental

quasi-experiment research method used to estimate the causal impact of an intervention or program when random assignment of participants to groups is not possible or ethical.

Correlational

a non-experimental scientific method used to measure the statistical relationship between two or more naturally occurring variables without any manipulation by the researcher

Cross sectional

a type of observational research method that analyzes data from a population at a single, specific point in time

longitudinal

a research design that tracks the same participants or variables repeatedly over an extended period, ranging from weeks to decades

What does an experiment require

a clear testable hypothesis, precise control of variables, and systematic data analysis

epigenetics

the study of how your behaviors and environment can cause changes that affect how your genes work, without changing your actual DNA sequence

Differentiation

the process by which global, undifferentiated mental, emotional, or physical processes split and specialize into more distinct, complex, and independent functions over time

Key principles of development

an orderly, continuous, and multi-dimensional process shaped by both biology and environment

Stages of prenatal development

the germinal stage, the embryonic stage, and the fetal stage

Fertilized Egg

Zygote

Germinal

Germinal Stage (Weeks 0 to 2)

• Conception: A sperm fertilizes an egg in the fallopian tube to create a zygote (single-celled fertilized egg). [1, 2]

• Cell Division: The zygote divides rapidly through mitosis while traveling down the fallopian tube toward the uterus. [1]

• Implantation: The cell mass, now called a blastocyst, attaches to the wall of the uterus. [1]

Embryonic

• Organ Formation: Major organs and the nervous system begin to form in a process called organogenesis. [1, 2]

• Heartbeat: A primitive heart starts to beat and pump blood. [1]

• Structure: Buds appear that develop into arms, legs, eyes, and a distinct head. [1]

Fetal

• Growth and Refinement: Organs and body systems grow larger, mature, and begin functioning. [1]

• Movement: The fetus becomes active and movements can typically be felt by the mother between weeks 16 and 20. [1]

• Preparation for Birth: Fat accumulates, lungs form air sacs, and the brain develops complex neural networks. [1]

Blastocysts

a cluster of dividing cells that forms 5 to 6 days after an egg is fertilized

Organogenesis

all main organs are developing

Cephalocaudal

a head-to-toe pattern of physical growth and motor development where maturation happens from the top of the body downward

Dendrites

Tree-like branches. They catch chemical signals from other cells

Nucleus

Round center inside the soma. It holds DNA and runs gene instructions.

Soma (Cell body)

It combines incoming signals and keeps the cell healthy.

Myelin Sheaths

Fatty insulating layer around the axon. It makes electrical signals travel much faster

Axon

Long, thin fiber. It carries the electrical pulse (action potential) away from the soma.

Axon terminals

Small bulb-like tips at the end of the axon. They release chemicals into the synapses to reach the next cell

Neural Plate

is a thickened strip of ectoderm (the outer tissue layer of an embryo) that forms the foundation of the nervous system during early embryonic development

Neural Fold

the raised, lateral edges of the embryonic neural plate that rise and fuse together during early development to form the neural tube

Neural Groove

a shallow central depression that forms in the neural plate during early embryonic development

Developing Heart Bulge

is an essential physical milestone of prenatal development during the embryonic period (weeks 3 to 8)

Neural Tube

the embryonic structure in vertebrate development that serves as the direct precursor to the central nervous system, comprising the brain and the spinal cord

Neurulation

the early biological development of the nervous system

Teratogens

environmental factor that impacts overall development

Old incompetent story

thinking that it is all the environment that impacts you and your development (Behaviorism)

Super competent theory

thinking that you have all the innate knowledge you need – Nativism (all genetics make us who we are)

Contemporary theory

developmental systems Super competent theory, views human growth as a lifelong, holistic process shaped by the interaction of biology, culture, and environment

Preadapted action

things that are going to keep us alive, we have adapted certain abilities that sustain life.

Innate

biologically programed “default settings”

vision

least developed sense at birth sees best at 12 inches from eyes,

taste

bitter, sweet, salty, sour, babies prefer sweet

hearing

very developed, distinguish all sounds of all languages (6-9months)

smell

can distinctly smells

touch

best way to help physical growth with infants who are under developed

Motor system

What the baby is capable of in their physical movements, coordinated movements

·       Orientation

·       Nursing

Relational systems

Relations with others

Temperament

• Easy Child

• Difficult Child

• Slow to warm up child

Fallopian Tube

a pair of hollow, muscular ducts that connect the ovaries to the uterus in the female reproductive system

Embryo

the early developmental stage of a multicellular organism, lasting from conception until the eighth week of human pregnancy

Fetus

the unborn offspring of a viviparous (live-bearing) mammal or vertebrate after the basic structural and major body organs have formed

Principles of Prenatal development

cephalocaudal sequence, proximodistal sequence, and mass-to-specific (or hierarchical) sequence

What is world view

the overall framework of beliefs, values, and ideas through which an individual or society interprets the world and interacts with reality

Two world views

mechanistic and organismic worldviews

Nativism (MECHANISTIC)

the view that certain human abilities, concepts, and mental structures are hard-wired or innate at birth rather than learned entirely from the environment

Behaviorism (MECHANISTIC)

a systematic learning theory in psychology that states all human and animal behavior is acquired through interaction with the external environment rather than by internal thoughts or feelings

Developmental Systems

a theoretical perspective in biology and psychology that views an organism's development and evolution as the product of complex, bidirectional, and interacting influences across multiple levels, rejecting the traditional separation of nature versus nurture

What is the nature vs. nurture debate?

Biology vs environment

Different approaches to nature v nurture

• The Nativist (Nature) Approach: Focuses on inherited genetics, biological pre-wiring, and innate physical or mental capacities.

• Behaviorist (Nurture) Approach: Views the mind as a blank slate (tabula rasa) shaped entirely by the environment, external experiences, and learning.

• Developmental Systems: Asserts that biology and environment work together. The diathesis-stress model explains that a person may inherit a genetic vulnerability (diathesis), but the condition only develops if triggered by an environmental stressor

• Epigenetics: A modern field studying how environmental factors like stress, diet, or trauma can alter chemical markers on DNA and change how genes are expressed without rewriting the underlying genetic code. [1]

What is the purpose of twin and adoption studies?

to separate and measure the relative influence of genetics ("nature") versus upbringing and surroundings ("nurture") on human traits, behaviors, and health conditions

Are these types of studies valid, why/why not? (twin adoption)

Twin and adoption studies are valid and powerful tools in behavioral genetics, though they rely on certain assumptions that can spark scientific debate

What is the heritability index?

a statistical estimate that measures how much of the variation in a trait within a specific population is due to genetic differences rather than environmental factors.

Different developmental study designs

cross-sectional, longitudinal, and sequential designs

Cohort and age-graded effects

Changes linked to physical aging and biological progression

individual differences, cultural and socio-cultural influences are important in research

prevent biased conclusions, ensure universal accuracy, and promote ethical inclusion.

What is an IRB?

international review board

Genotype

genetic expression of traits

Phenotype

physical expression of traits

Traditional, molecular biological view?

a system governed by a linear, reductionist flow of genetic information encoded in macromolecules

The four Pre-Adapted Action Systems?

Sensory Systems, Motor Systems, Relational (or Social/Emotional) Systems, and Temperament

What are the basic abilities of the newborn which fall into each of these Action Systems

posture, locomotion, manual actions, and movements of the eyes, face, and head)

Benefits of breast feeding

optimal nutrition and custom antibodies that protect infants from infections

What is the term for our specific genetic inheritance?

genotype

The traditional molecular biology perspective on the relation between genotype and phenotype is which of the following?

direct casual link

The epigenetic perspective on the relation between genotype and phenotype is which of the following?

Gene expression

What do newborns prefer to look at?

Human faces

Different states of consciousness

Sleep states (two), Active states (four)

Sleep states

Quiet sleep and active sleep (rem sleep)

How do babies sleep differ compared to adults?

They enter through rem sleep, then go into a quieter deep sleep

Active states

quiet alert, active alert, crying and drowsiness

What is the most reactive active state?

Crying

What unique traits are present at birth

Temperament and personality

In order to imitate babies need to be in what state?

Quiet alert state

6 months in pregnancy

Babies can hear and sense different vibrations

Why do babies habituate

to help block out excessive stimulus

Infants see best at what distance

8-12 inches

Entrainment

the process where two separate rhythmic or physical systems synchronize, or where a moving fluid or substance carries along another material

Why is touch important

Key studies have shown early touch helps with development, and connections in the brain

Fathers in caregiving

Fathers need to play an active role in caregiving.