Psychology: Development

What is the range of Development in human life?

From Conception (sperm + egg) to Death.

How do we develop?

Physically: from infant → death

Cognitively: Reasoning, language, thinking

Socioemotional: Emotional maturity

Is Conception heavily involved in the way you come out?

Absolutely. So much stuff happens at conception.

How long is the pre-natal period?

Around 39 weeks

There is a two week grace period where tetrogens, anxiety, etc. don't affect the fetus. This is because it takes two weeks for the fetus to reach the uterus from the fallopian tube to be implanted.

Most detrimental defects happen after 12 weeks (1st trimester) because the body is still developing.

By the time you reach twelve weeks old, every body part is built. So, that's why you're told to wait for your first trimester (every 12 weeks) before telling others and outsiders/stress affects development.

During Prenatal Development, why do people say to not announce anything until your first trimester?

At 12 weeks, it becomes less common for any birth defects on the baby.

When does women make egg (like in life)?

The women make all the eggs at birth, and around 350-400 are released throughout one's life. More eggs drop near menopause.

Older moms are more likely to produce kids with down syndrome

It's 1/100 for females at 40, and 1/10 at 50.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

For genetic screenings, medical complications, and more.

Litters

Caused by all the IVF kids to survive, meaning all the eggs fertilize when only a few usually survive, resulting in a bunch of kids.

What are teratogens in prenatal development?

Teratogens are substances that cause birth defects within the baby, if consumed by the mother.

Is the Nervous System always developing through pregnancy?

Yes, the NS is always developing through pregnancy.

If a mom drinks coffee, how much more will the baby feel it?

Supposedly, the baby will feel it "100x more" - Professor Robinson

What is Toxoplasmosis?

Blood poisoning. Adults can handle blood poisoning, but a baby cannot. That is why they tell pregnant mothers to not eat sushi while pregnant, it may poison the baby.

Why are pre-natal vitamins important for pregnancy?

Pre-natal vitamins are a good source for Folic Acid (Vit. B). It can also prevent Spina Bifida.

What is Spina Bifida?

A neural tube defect where the spinal column does not close completely during the first month of pregnancy, causing spinal cord and nerve damage. Can cause organs to develop on the outside of your body.

PICA Craving Conditions

PICA: Craving of inedible things like chalk, drywall, etc.

Older moms are more likely to produce kids with down syndrome. What are the chances for ages 40 and 50?

It's 1/100 for females at 40, and 1/10 at 50.

What does older sperm result in?

Older sperm results in more autism and mental disorders (ADHD, autism, schizophrenia)

What is the ideal age to have kids?

27

What is post-partum depression?

- Partially caused by losing the attention from having a baby in stomach

- Also it is tied to biology due to drop estrogen and progression which affect mood positively.

- The drop causes serotonin and dopamine to drop. It last awhile because your usual high amount of dopamine/serotonin suddenly disappear and you don't recover from that instantly.

What is the APGAR test?

Done after birth. 5 categories are scored 2 through 0.

The APGAR test is a quick physical assessment performed on newborns at 1 minute and 5 minute intervals after birth. It was designed to help healthcare providers quickly determine if a baby needs immediate medical care or emergency intervention.

Appearance

Pulse

Grimace

Activity

Respiration

What are Neonate Reflexes?

They want to suck (rooting)

Closes hand on finger (Grasping)

Stepping

Startle reflex (moro)

Babinski Effect

Foot flexes in response

When a healthcare provider strokes the bottom of a neonate's foot from the heel toward the toes:

The Big Toe: Moves upward or toward the top surface of the foot (dorsiflexion).

The Other Toes: Fan out.

In Neonates: This is a normal and healthy finding. It typically disappears as the child’s nervous system matures, usually between 12 to 24 months of age.

Are babies vision awful?

Yes, and 6 months in is peak vision I think.

Babies like to look at attractive faces, true or false?

Yes. True.

Are babies hearing awful?

NO! They can hear very good :D

Infancy Socioemotional Development Idea:

The first year of your development is very important

Who developed the "Strange Situation" experiment to study developmental attachment in one-year-olds?

Mary Ainsworth and John Bowlby

What is the primary focus of the Strange Situation experiment?

Observing how a baby reacts to a caregiver's return after being left in an unknown place.

Which attachment style is considered "normal" and occurs in approximately 2/3 of babies?

Secure Attachment

How does a baby with a Secure Attachment typically react during the experiment?

They cry when the mother leaves but stop crying and are comforted when she returns.

What defines an Insecure Attachment in the context of this experiment?

The baby exhibits a unique or abnormal reaction (different from the norm) when the mother returns.

Which attachment style is characterized by the baby not getting upset when the mom leaves and ignoring her when she returns?

Avoidant Attachment

What are the typical long-term outcomes for children with an Avoidant Attachment?

They often have worse interpersonal relationships and lower grades.

What caregiver behavior typically causes an Avoidant Attachment?

The caregiver repeatedly ignores or fails to respond to the baby's signals (crying, reaching, etc.).

Which attachment style involves the baby becoming furious when the mom leaves and pushing her away upon her return?

Ambivalent/Resistant Attachment

What is a potential long-term statistical risk for individuals who exhibited Ambivalent/Resistant Attachment as infants?

They are more likely to end up in jail.

Why is the reunion ineffective for a baby with Ambivalent/Resistant Attachment?

The baby experiences a mix of anxiety/desire for care and fear of rejection, leading them to seek contact but then push away.

What caregiver pattern leads to Ambivalent/Resistant Attachment?

Inconsistent caregiving (the caregiver is sometimes responsive and sometimes not).

Jean Piaget - Cognitive Development Scheme

Viewed cognitive development as a scheme.

Schemes change by learning more.

Assimilation: Making a new scheme based on information usually seen, heard, etc.

Accommodation: Changing a scheme based on new information to create a new scheme or modify an existing one.

Jean Piaget - Stages of Cognitive Development

Each has a milestone or limitations

1. Sensorimotor stage

2. pre operational stage

3. concerete operational stage

4. formal operational stage

Sensorimotor stage

Birth - 2 Years

- Learning through senses and actions.

- Milestone: Object Permanence: Knowing things exist even when we don't see them (gained at 10 months)

Pre-operational stage

2 - 7 years

Egocentrism: They only see through their eyes. EX: If I’m awake, everyone is awake.

Animation: Thinking every has life. EX: “Thank you mr.door”

Centration: they have tunnel vision. EX: They can only look at one part of a puzzle. 

Conservation: They don’t understand volume when the shape changes. They just think “or taller = more stuff.”

Irreversibility: Can’t go back on reasoning.

Concrete-Operational stage

7 - 12 years

- Beginning adult knowledge and logic, still limited

- Decentration: Can look at the whole picture, and mentally un-do

- Reversibility: Ability to undo something

Formal Operation Stage

12 - Death

Logic, abstract thinking, creativity, hypothetical reasoning.

Some people never develop this.

Erik Erikson

Erik Erikson's stages of psychosocial development

Each stage has a crisis.

There is only a good or bad for each stage, and each stage builds on the rest. It is harder to go back and fix previous stages.

Trust vs. mistrust (0-1.5 yr)

Can I trust my caregiver?

You can't overlove btw, cuz if you dont "spoil" ur baby, they can develop mistrust

Autonomy vs. shame and doubt (1.5-3)

Can I do things myself? Independence.

Initiative vs. Guilt (3-6)

Can I start things by myself? Or will I be shamed?

Industry vs.inferiority (6-12)

Can I succeed? Or am I inferior?

Identity vs. role diffusion (12-20)

Identity crisis

Intimacy vs. Isolation (20-40)

Will I be single or have a partner

Generativity vs. stagnation (40-60)

Mid life crisis

Generativity: Generational impact

Stagnation: self-aborbant or working on yourself.

Integrity vs. Despair (60+)

Did I do good in life? Or am I resentful for being a bum

Causing happy old ppl vs cranky.