Developmental Psychology - Motor Development

What is Dynamic Systems Theory?

Theory suggesting motor development is the emergent product of a self-organising, multi-component system that evolves over time (dynamic)

What is the Stepping Reflex, and when does it disappear?

It is coordinated behaviour resembling walking with alternating leg movements. It disappears around 2 months due to rapid weight gain making the legs heavier.

How does Sitting Independently aid development?

Aids reaching, visual perception, and opportunities for exploration. It is not a sign of neurological maturity, as infants display similar behaviours when lying down.

What is Figure/Ground assignment?

The ability to identify objects from the background, aiding depth perception and reaching. Adults use symmetry and curvature to determine the figure.

What are the stages of Reaching and Grasping?

• Locate the goal

• Have a stable base

• Control arm movement.

How does the Sticky Mittens task aid motor development?

Sticky mittens with Velcro help infants reach objects before they can naturally. After one week, infants grasped and reached more, and effects lasted up to 12 months.

What is Piaget’s A-Not-B task, and what does it test?

It tests 8-10 month-old infants’ object permanence by hiding a toy at A and then at B. Infants often persist in searching at A.

How does DST explain the A-Not-B error?

Behaviour is a product of past history. Errors occur due to previous attention and practice at A, especially with:

• No reaching at A

• No objects

• Unmarked locations

• Long delays.

At what age do Crawling and Walking emerge?

• Crawling: 8 months

• Independent walking: 13-14 months.

How are Motor Skills context-dependent?

Adolph tracked infants weekly and found 67% plunged down slopes, showing motor knowledge depends on the context.

Why is falling important for Motor Development?

Falling helps infants understand errors. Adolph found that 138 toddlers fell 563 times, yet they returned to play quickly (1.84 seconds) and rarely fussed (4%). Falling is mitigated by infants’ small size and quick reactions.

Which age group has the highest pedestrian injury rates?

Children aged 6-10 have the highest pedestrian injury rates, as they are slower at crossing roads.

How do friends influence adolescents’ road-crossing behaviour?

Adolescents took riskier gaps when crossing with friends compared to alone. 12-year-olds were riskier than adults.

How does Motor Experience correlate with Language Development?

Sitting & Walking correlates with vocabulary development

How does Exercise affect vocabulary retention in children?

Children aged 6-12 remembered new vocabulary better if they exercised after learning new words.