3500 Exam 1

Ch 1 and 2

Human development

focuses on scientific study of processes of change and stability throughout the human life span

Evolution of human development

Historically: focused on psychological changes that were observed from birth to adulthood

Currently: focuses on many different disciplines throughout the entire lifespan. such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, biology, genetics, family science, and education.

7 Major Periods of Human Development

1. Infancy and Toddlerhood (birth - age 3)

2. Early childhood (ages 3-6)

3. Middle Childhood (ages 6-11)

4. Adolescence (ages 11-20)

5. Emerging and Young Adulthood (ages 20-40)

6. Middle Adulthood (ages 40-65)

7. Late Adulthood (ages 65+)

1. Infancy and toddlerhood

• Age range: birth to age 3

• Physical: all sense and body systems operate at varying degrees, brain grows in complexity and is highly sensitive to environment influence, physical growth and development of motor skills are rapid.

• Cognitive: abilities to learn and remember are present even in early weeks. use of symbols and ability to solve problems develop by end of second year. comprehension and use of language develop rapidly.

• Psychosocial: attachments to parents and others form. self-awareness develops. shift from dependence toward autonomy occurs. interest in other children increases.

2. Early childhood

Age range: ages 3 to 6

Physical: growth is steady, proportions become more adult like and slender. appetite diminishes, and sleep problems are common. handedness appears (right or left handed), fine and gross motor skills and strength improve.

Cognitive: thinking is somewhat egocentric. but understand of other people’s perspectives grows. cognitive immaturity results in some illogical ideas about the world. memory and language improve. intelligence becomes more predictable. preschool and kindergarten experience is common.

Psychosocial: self-concept and understanding of emotions become more complex; self-esteem is global. independence, initiative, and self-control increase. gender identity develops. play becomes more imaginative, more elaborate, and usually more social. altruism (helping others without personal gain), aggression, and fearfulness are common. family is still the focus of social life, but other children become more important.

3. Middle childhood

Age range: ages 6 to 11

Physical: growth slows. strength and athletic skills improve. respiratory illnesses are common, but health is generally better than at any other time in the life span

Cognitive: egocentrism diminishes. children begin to think logically but concretely. memory and language skills increase. cognitive gains permit children to benefit from formal schooling. some children show special educational needs and strengths.

Psychosocial: