Dev Psych

What does developmental psychology study?

How we grow and change across the lifespan, focusing on biological, cognitive, psychological, and social functioning.

What are the main areas of development in psychology?

Physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development.

How does culture impact human development?

Culture influences our understanding of typical and atypical behaviour, shaping our responses and expectations.

globalisation

Increasing connections between different parts of the world in trade, travel, migration and communication

majority culture

within a country, the cultural group that sets most of the norms and standards and holds most of the positions of political, economic, intellectual and media power

ecological niche

the environmental conditions for which a given species has evolved

ontogenetic

characteristic pattern of individual development in a species

phylogenetic

pertaining to the development of a species

What is the nature vs. nurture debate?

A discussion on the relative contributions of genetic inheritance (nature) and environmental factors (nurture) to human development.

What is Freud's psychosexual theory?

A theory that attributes psychological maladjustment to unresolved childhood trauma, emphasizing the role of early experiences.

What is Erikson's psychosocial theory?

A theory that posits development continues into adulthood, with self-actualization as a primary motivator.

What does Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory emphasize?

The importance of familial and broader contextual interactions in development, without asserting fixed life stages.

Psychosexual theory critiques

Libido isn’t found in everyone (and it is not always the primary motivator or viewed in incestual ways). He believed that bringing repressed memories back to surface was enough to 'heal' the patient but this is retriggering and vague

Psychosocial theory critiques

We don’t always desire relationships or offspring. It does not solely define us. Being immersed in one's social and cultural environment is not always the primary motivator. What about workaholics or the naturally asocial? Many people 'code-switch' or 'mask' their identities

Ecological theory critiques

Harder to scope as it views interaction on so many levels and not at one fixed timeframe.

Freud/Erikson/Bronfenbrenner integration

Lifespan development is not linear and we definitely haven't finished personality development at age 6 (as Freud proposed). There is more to life than meeting one specific goal or interacting with a caregiver. Cultures and religions view maturity in different ways. Humans always develop within a culture (although cultures are changing rapidly and cultural identity is complex)

What is the difference between genotype and phenotype?

Genotype refers to an organism's unique genetic inheritance, while phenotype refers to the organism's actual characteristics derived from its genotype.

What is epigenesis in development?

The bidirectional interactions between genes and the environment that influence development.

What are the stages of prenatal development?

Germinal (0-2 weeks), embryonic (3-8 weeks), and foetal (week 9 onwards)

What is a teratogen?

An agent that can cause malformation or harm to a developing fetus.

What is the Virginia Apgar scale?

A scale that assesses a baby's health status at 1 and 5 minutes after birth, with scores of 7-10 (good to excellent), 4-6 (requires assistance to breathe) and 3 or below (life-threatening danger). This scale is used 1 or 5 minutes after birth. Besides checking mum's and baby's vitals, the pair are encouraged to test feeding and skin-to-skin contact.

What does the Brazelton's Neonatal Behavioural Assessment Scale (NBAS) evaluate?

The newborn's behavioral repertoire and neurological status with 28 behavioural items, each scored on a 9-point scale. It also includes an assessment of the infant’s neurological status on 20 items, each scored on a 4-point scale. Some of the assessed items include alertness, behaviour, habituation, consoling ability, cuddle ability, posture, cranial nerve examination, motor system evaluation, passive and active tone assessment, reflexes (superficial and primitive), head and spine.

What is low birth weight a leading indicator of?

Both survival and healthy development in infants.

What are some common reflexes present at birth?

Sucking/rooting reflex, Moro reflex, and grasping reflex.

What are the odds of preterm birth for African-American mothers?

1.65x greater compared to other demographics.

What is the impact of discrimination on maternal and neonatal health?

Discrimination and stress are identified as potential contributing factors to health disparities.

What is the typical stillbirth rate in Australia?

6.7 stillbirths per 1000 live births.

Daily actions for a safer pregnancy

Avoid comparing your pregnancy to others, settle to side-sleeping from 28weeks onwards, trust intuition, call emergency services about any changes and monitor baby movement pattern, strength and frequency.

What is the significance of maternal instinct during pregnancy?

Trusting maternal instinct can lead to better health outcomes for both mother and child.

What factors contribute to neonatal mortality rates?

Preterm birth, low birth weight, and maternal health conditions.

What is the role of prenatal care in fetal development?

It helps monitor the health of the mother and fetus, reducing risks associated with pregnancy.

Define 'small-for-date baby’ (they are not preterm)

Infants who are smaller than expected for their gestational age, which increases their risk of complications.

What is kangaroo care?

A practice of skin-to-skin contact between a parent and a newborn, beneficial for development.

Why are neonatal reflexes important?

They are precursors to voluntary movements and indicators of normal functioning.

Which sense is the most under-developed at birth?

Sight

What do babies prefer in terms of taste?

Sweet tastes

What factors influence breastfeeding rates?

Social systems, culture, education, maternal health, and necessary supports.

Why is breastfeeding particularly important in areas with poor water quality?

Benefits include protection against disease, enhanced cognitive development, reduced obesity and long-term health outcomes. Sick breastfeeding mums can actually pass on antibodies through milk

What unique ability does tandem breastfeeding provide?

The milk can be tailored to each child's needs since breasts work independently.

What are the two principles of physical growth in the first year?

Cephalocaudal (growth from head down) and proximodistal (growth from torso outwards).

By what percentage does brain volume increase in the first 3 months of life?

63%

What are the two key processes of brain growth in infants?

Increase in dendritic connections and myelination.

Gross motor development in first year of life

Development of balance, posture, and whole-body movements like walking or crawling.

What is a significant milestone in motor development? Hint: it comes after tummy time but before walking

Cross-crawling, which is linked with brain development and communication across hemispheres.

What is the difference between sensation and perception?

Sensation is what the brain detects, while perception is the organization and interpretation of sensory information.

When does binocular vision begin to develop in infants?

Around 3 months

Cognitive development in first year of life

Foundations of language, motor milestones, understanding object permanence, and memory of events.

What are primary emotions, and when do they appear?

Basic emotions shared with animals, observed within the first year of life.

What is social referencing in infants?

Looking to a trusted figure to determine how to respond to a novel situation.

What is the significance of the primary attachment figure?

They provide a secure base for exploration and are sought out in times of distress.

How does attachment theory view the mother-infant relationship?

As a norm emerging from cultures with a nuclear family structure.

What is the average sleep duration for newborns?

16 hours per day. Patterns change over time (sleep regression across infanthood. Only 6-8h needed by adulthood)

What changes in sleep patterns are associated with crawling onset?

Developmental reorganization underlying the achievement of crawling involves restructuring sleep-wake states.

How does secure attachment affect infant sleep?

It is associated with more and better infant sleep.

Safe sleep practices

Laying on back to prevent choking, no suffocation hazards, being monitored closely if using a rocking chair or carseat

What are secondary emotions, and when do they develop?

Emotions like shame and guilt that require social learning, developing mostly in the second year of life.

What is the role of caregiver-infant synchrony?

It is important for developing trust and a sense of security in the infant.

What is the impact of comforters or transitional objects on infants?

They help ease separation difficulties.

What is the relationship between temperament and stranger anxiety in infants?

Temperament and past experiences influence how wary infants are of unfamiliar faces.

How does the Growing up Our Way study suggest parenting styles?

Parenting could be more child-led, with no set routines and high physical closeness.

Peak production of synapses

Occurs in frontal lobes during toddlerhood (around age 3).

Synaptic pruning

Process of reducing number of connections between neurons so that they become more efficient.

Critical period for language development

The early years of life are essential for language acquisition.

Benefits of cochlear implants

Younger children receiving this early hearing intervention have better outcomes.

Motor advances by 3rd birthday

Can run, adjust motion to changes in surfaces, climb, jump, and reverse motions.

Hand preference

Begins to emerge during toddlerhood.

Information processing

As info moves through each stage, mental strategies are used to operate and transform it.

Sustained attention

Increases in the 2nd year as plans and activities increase in complexity.

Executive function

Cognitive operations and strategies that enable us to achieve our goals.

Vygotsky's sociocultural theory

Children's cognitive development is influenced by rich social and cultural worlds.

Scaffolding

Adjusting support offered to fit learner's current level of performance.

Zone of proximal development

Range of capability a child can reach with some support.

Emergent curriculum

Importance of children's ideas, interests, and spontaneity in the planning process.

Synaptic density

Density of synapses among neurons in the brain; peaks around age 3.

Language development (12-24mo)

Average 18mo can speak around 50 words, generally single words at a time.

Fast-mapping

Words are remembered after hearing them just once.

Language development (24-36mo)

Begin to use 3-4 word statements and can talk about past and future events.

Over-regularisation

Applying grammatical rules to exceptions (e.g., 'fishes').

Secondary emotions

Require social learning and develop mostly in the second year of life.

Emotional regulation

Strategies used to adjust our emotional state to a comfortable level.

Awareness of self

Self-recognition emerges; growing awareness of the self as distinct from others.

Cultural considerations about identity

How we view the 'self' shaped by culture, either individualistic or collectivist.

Attachment

Assessed in toddlers using 'strange situation' between 12-24mo.

Secure attachment

Use mother as a secure base to explore; protests when mother leaves.

Insecure-avoidant attachment

Little interaction with mother and don't respond to her departure or return.

Disorganised-disoriented attachment

Characterised by unusual behaviour and may appear dazed and detached.

Attachment across cultures

Mother-child as primary attachment relationship is not universal across cultures.

Cultural Parenting Roles

Parents in some cultures view their role as to shape the child into an adult, while others allow the child to become who they are meant to be.

Social World of Toddlers

The social world of toddlers begins to broaden and include siblings, peers, and friends.

Sibling Attachment

The introduction of a new sibling can be a time of adjustment but often forms secure attachments.

Father Involvement

Involvement of fathers varies greatly with culture, with a trend toward greater father involvement in Western countries.

Peer Interaction

Toddlers interact with peers in formal or informal settings, leading to more social and interactive play.

Friendship Development

Friendships in toddlers are based on similarities, with preference and emotional closeness to friends over peers.

Empathy in Toddlers

Toddlers begin to display empathy by responding to distress and engaging in prosocial behavior.

Physical Growth in Toddlers

During toddlerhood, children lose 'baby fat' and become leaner as they grow longer.

Head to Body Ratio

The head, which was 1/4 of the neonate's length, is 1/5 of the 2-year-old's height.

Risk of Stunting

Starting around 6 months, children are at risk of stunting due to poor nutrition affecting height and cognitive potential.

Kwashiorkor

Kwashiorkor is a condition resulting from severe protein deficiency, leading to symptoms like lethargy and skin lesions.

Micronutrients

Micronutrients are dietary ingredients essential for optimal physical growth, including iodine, iron, and vitamins A, B12, C, and D.

Sleep Patterns in Toddlers

Sleep declines from 16-18 hours in neonates to about 12-13 hours by the second birthday.