Module 47: Parents, Peers, and Early Experiences

Rosenzweig

raised young rats in solitary confinement and others in a communal playground; the rats living in the enriched environment, which stimulated a natural environment, usually developed a heavier and thicker brain cortex

synapses

the rats in the enriched environment increased the number of synapses, hence, improved brain power

Pruning process

As a child’s brain develops, neural connections grow more numerous and complex. Experiences then trigger a pruning process, in which unused connections weaken and heavily used connections strengthen

parents influence

Family environment and parents expectations can affect children’s motivation and future success. Personality, however, is mostly attributable to the effects of nurture

peer influence

As children attempt to fit in with their peers, they tend to adopt their culture — habits, accents, and slang, for example; By choosing their children’s neighborhoods and schools, parents exert some influence over peer group culture