HS 5 - The Nature of Human Development

Module 1: Introduction to the developmental stages

The pattern of CHANGE that begins at conception and continues through the life span.

Human Development

Covers the entire LIFESPAN, from conception to death, examining changes during infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age

Human Development

Developmental Processes and Periods

Biological
Cognitive
Socioemotional

Conception of AGE

Chronological
Biological
Psychological
Social

Developmental Issues

Nature VS Nurture
Stability Vs Change
Continuity Vs Discontinuity

Biological Processes

Changes in an individual’s physical nature.

Changes in physical nature like?

⚬Genetic inheritance
⚬Physical growth and decline
⚬Hormonal and Pubertal changes

The invention of brain-imaging techniques (Blank) allows research on how the brain influences many aspects of development at different points in the life span

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Cognitive Processes

Changes in the individual’s thought, intelligence, and language

Specific changes in cognitive processes

⚬problem-solving
⚬decision-making
⚬memory
⚬language
⚬moral development

Socioemotional Processes

Changes in relationship, emotions, personality.

Formation of relationships with family, peers, and partners

Relationships

Understanding and managing emotions; emotional regulation.

Emotions

Development of self concept and personality traits over time

Personality

links between development, cognitive processes, and the brain

developmental cognitive neuroscience

connections between socioemotional processes, development, and the brain

developmental social neuroscience

a time frame in a person’s life that is characterized by certain features

Periods of development

Periods of development

• Prenatal period

• Infancy period

• Early Childhood period

• Middle Childhood period

• Adolescence period

• Emerging/Early Adulthood period

• Middle Adulthood period

• Late Adulthood period

The number of years since a person was born. (It does not cause anything)

Chronological Age

A person's physical health and how well their body functions

Biological Age

A person's cognitive, emotional, and adaptive abilities compared to others of the same age

Psychological Age

The social roles and expectations associated with a person's stage in life

Social Age

Traits and characteristics inherited from parents

Biological Inheritance

Biological inheritance examples:

Eye color
Height
Predispositions to certain behaviors or diseases

an increasing study on how development reflects an ongoing, bidirectional interchange between genes and the environment (turn on-off)

Epigenetics

Biological inheritance

Nature

These are external influences

Environmental Factors

Environmental Factors

Nurture

Environmental factors examples:

upbringing

culture

education

personal experiences on behavior and development

Idea that development is a gradual, cumulative process.

Continuity

Suggests development occurs in distinct stages

Discontinuity

Quantitative change

Continuity

Qualitative change

Discontinuity

refinement and extension of skills

continuity

new abilities and characteristics

continuity

The idea that certain characteristics remain consistent throughout a person’s life.

Stability

Suggests that individuals can experience significant shifts throughout life

Change

EARLY experience predicts later development

Stability

growth, adaptation, and transformation

Change

LATER experience is just as important as early experience

Change

Late adulthood period is from?

60 Years Old to Death

Limited function capacity, General decline

Biological Process in Late Adulthood

Deteriorate intelligence and memory (compensation efforts)

Cognitive process in Late Adulthood

Reflection on life, retirement, relationship with family and close friends

Socio-emotional process in Late Adulthood

Slow deterioration (wide differences), menopause for women

Biological Process in Middle Adulthood

Mental abilities peak (expertise)

Cognitive process in Middle Adulthood

Peak career (for some), assisting the next generation, midlife crisis, Dual responsibilities (can cause stress)

Socio-emotional process in Middle Adulthood

Middle Adulthood Period from?

40-50 years old

Early Adulthood period from?

20-30 years old

Lifestyle influences health conditions

Biological process in Early Adulthood

Complex thought and moral judgements, Period of EXPLORATION

Cognitive process in Early Adulthood

Establishing careers, Forming intimate relationships

Socio-emotional process in Early Adulthood

Adolescence Period from?

12 to 18-21 years old

Rapid physical changes, reproductive maturity

Biological process in Adolescence

Logical, abstract, hypothetical thinking, IMMATURE thinking

Cognitive process in Adolescence

Pursuit of independence and identity (Sexual Identity), Peers can have positive/negative influence

Socio-emotional process in Adolescence

Physical growth slows, strength, better health in any lifespan

Biological process in Middle Childhood

Concrete thinking, cognitive gain, Identify special education needs

Cognitive process in Middle Childhood

Self-esteem and achievement, self-control, gradual shift to peers

Socio-emotional process in Middle Childhood

Middle childhood period from?

6 to 10-11 years old

Early Childhood period from?

3-5 years old

Physical changes, fine and gross motor skills, handedness

Biological process in Early Childhood

egocentric thinking, illogical ideas, language and memory

Cognitive Process in Early Childhood

self-concept and emotions, self-care, peer engagement

Socio-emotional process in Early Childhood

complexity in brain growth, motor skills, senses and body systems at varying degrees

Biological process in Infancy

symbolic thought, sensorimotor, language

Cognitive process in Infancy

Attachment to caregivers, self-concept

Socio-emotional process in Infancy

Infancy period from?

18-24 months

Prenatal period from?

Conception to birth

in-utero learning

Cognitive process in Prenatal

Developing preference

Socio-emotional process in Prenatal

Germinal period
Embryonic period
Fetal period

Biological process in Prenatal

First 2 weeks after conception; rapid cell division.

Germinal period

Weeks 3-8; major organs and structures begin to form.

Embryonic period

Week 9 to birth; continued growth and development.

Fetal period

are agents or factors that cause malformation or abnormal development in an embryo or fetus during pregnancy. These can include environmental factors, such as drugs, alcohol, certain infections, and radiation, that may negatively impact fetal development.

Teratogens