Chapter 7: Development and Language

development

Lifelong process of growth and change

nature

Genetic/biological influences on development

interactionist perspective

Development is shaped by BOTH genes and environment

continuity

Development is gradual and builds on previous skills

discontinuity

Development occurs in distinct stages with qualitative changes

critical period

A specific time window where experience is necessary for development

what are the 3 major debates in development?

Nature vs nurture, continuous vs stage development, critical periods

what does the nature argument claim?

Genetics and biology determine who we are

what does the nurture argument claim?

Environment and socialization determine who we are

what is the most accepted view today?

interaction between nature and nurture

what is continuity in development?

Gradual development where new skills build on old ones

what is discontinuity?

Development in stages with major changes

what is a critical period?

A time when certain experiences must occur for normal development

what is an example of a critical period?

Language development

gene

Chemical blueprint of life made of DNA

DNA

Molecule that carries genetic information

RNA

Intermediate molecule used to make proteins

protein

Building blocks of life

epigenetics

Controls which genes are turned on/off

chromosome

Structure containing many genes

genotype

Genetic makeup at conception

phenotype

Observable traits (genes + environment)

heterozygous

Two different alleles for a trait

homozygous

Two identical alleles for a trait

dominant gene

Always expressed

recessive gene

Only expressed if no dominant gene present

What are genes made of?

DNA

What is the process from DNA to protein?

DNA → RNA → Protein

What determines phenotype?

Genotype + environment

What is the difference between genotype and phenotype?

Genotype = genes; phenotype = expressed traits

What is heterozygous?

Two different alleles (e.g., Bb)

What is homozygous?

Two same alleles (e.g., BB or bb)

What is a dominant gene?

A gene that is always expressed

What is a recessive gene?

Only expressed if dominant gene is absent

genetic disorder

Condition caused by abnormal genes or chromosomes

Huntington’s disease

Fatal genetic disorder causing movement and cognitive decline

dominant mutation

Only one copy needed to express disorder

What percentage of infants have genetic abnormalities?

About 1%

When do Huntington’s symptoms appear?

Around age 35

What are symptoms of Huntington’s disease?

Uncontrollable movements, cognitive decline, death

What chromosome is Huntington’s linked to?

Chromosome 4

What is the inheritance rate?

50%

prenatal development

Development before birth (~266 days)

germinal stage

First 2 weeks after fertilization

embryonic stage

Weeks 3–8 (organ formation)

fetal stage

9 weeks to birth

amniotic sac

protects fetus

umbilical cord

supplies nutrients and blood

placenta

Provides hormones and nutrients

teratogen

Substance that harms development

fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)

damage from alcohol exposure

How long is prenatal development?

About 9 months (~266 days)

What happens in the germinal stage?

Implantation and basic structures form

What happens in the embryonic stage?

Organs develop

Why is the embryonic stage important?

It is highly vulnerable to environmental damage

What are teratogens?

Harmful substances that affect development

What does alcohol exposure cause?

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

What happens in the fetal stage?

Growth and refinement of organs

cephalocaudal development

Head to toe growth

proximodistal development

Center to outer body growth

motor development

Development of movement skills

How much brain size at birth?

About 25% of adult size

What develops after birth in the brain?

Connections between neurons

How much do infants grow in first year?

Triple weight, grow 50% taller

What is cephalocaudal development?

Head develops before lower body

What is proximodistal development?

Center develops before extremities

Why do babies have big heads?

head develops first (megamind)

reflexes

Involuntary responses in infants

gross motor skills

Large body movements

fine motor skills

Small precise movements

Why do babies have reflexes?

Protection and nourishment

When do babies start walking?

Around 14–18 months

When does potty training occur?

Around 30–35 months

What controls coordination for walking?

Cerebellum

assimilation

using existing knowledge to understand new info

accommodation

changing knowledge to fit new info

schema

mental framework for understanding

Who created the cognitive development theory?

Jean Piaget

What is assimilation?

Fitting new info into existing schemas

What is accommodation?

Changing schemas for new info

sensorimotor stage

birth - 2 years ; learning through senses and action, object permanence, understanding numbers, imitation

object permanence

understanding that objects exist even when not seen

preoperational stage

2-7 years; symbolic thinking but not logical, egocentrism, centration

egocentrism

inability to see things from others’ perspectives

centration

focusing on one aspect of the situation

concrete operational stage

7-11 years; logical thinking about concrete objects, decentration, conservation

decentration

Ability to consider more than one perceptual factor at a time

conservation

understanding that quantity stays the same despite changes on shape

formal operational stage

12+ years; abstract and hypothetical thinking

What are the 4 stages of Piaget’s theory?

Sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, formal operational

What is the main characteristic of the sensorimotor stage?

learning through senses and movement

What is object permanence?

Knowing objects exist even when out of sight

When does object permanence develop?

Around 8–12 months

What is egocentrism?

Difficulty seeing another person’s perspective

What is centration?

Focusing on one feature of a situation

Can children in the preoperational stage think logically?

No