Module 14: Developmental Issues, Prenatal Development, and the Newborn

Developmental psychology

A branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, and social development throughout the life span

Cross-sectional Studies

Research that compares people of different ages at the same point in time

Longitudinal Studies

Research that compares people of different ages at the same point in time

1. Nature and Nurture

2. Continuity and Stages

3. Stability and Change

3 Major Issues of Developmental Psychology

Nature and Nurture

How our nature (genetic) interacts with nurture to influence development

Continuity and Stages

What parts of development are continuous and what parts change abruptly?

Stability and Change

Which traits persist and how do we change as we age?

Stages Concept

There are clear-cut stages of psychological development

Continuity Concept

We learn through our experiences, we experience stability and change

Temperament

Which is more stable/lasting, temperament of social attitudes?

End of History Illusion

People recognizing they have changed, but expecting that will change little in the future

Egg nucleus and sperm nucleus fuse

How does a zygote form?

Zygotes

Fertilized egg; enters 2 week period of rapid cell division and develops into an embryo

I attaches to the mother’s uterine wall

What does the zygote do 10 days after conception?

Embryo

Developing human organism from about 2 weeks after conception, inner cells of the zygote

Placenta

The lifeline that transfers nutrients and oxygen from mother to embryo

Fetus

The developing human organism from 9 weeks after conception to birth

By the 6th month of pregnancy

When does the fetus become responsive to sound?

Teratogens

Agents, such as chemicals and viruses, that can reach the embryo during prenatal development and cause harm (ex. viruses, drugs)

Congenital

Present at birth (usually referring to disorders

Fetal Alchohol Spectrum Disorder

Fetus is at risk for developing alcoholism

Fetal Alchohol Syndrome (FAS)

Physical and cognitive deficits in children caused by their mother’s heavy drinking during pregnancy

Out of proportion head and distinct facial features

Symptoms of FAS

It leaves chemical markers on DNA that switch genes on or off

Why does alcohol have an epigenetic effect?

automatic

Babies are born with… reflex

Startle Reflex

Arms and legs spring out, quickly followed by fist clenching and loud crying

Habituation

Decreasing responsiveness with repeated stimulation

They get less interested and they look away sooner

What happens as infants become familiar with a repeated stimulus?

Cohort

A group of individuals who share common characteristics, usually about people in the same age range

The Cohort Effect

Differences among groups are caused by generational circumstances

Gross Motor Skills

Larger movements, such as crawling and walking, allowing a child to navigate their environment

Fine Motor Skills

Smaller movements, such as holding a spoon, which are critical for feeding, drawing, or playing

Maternal Illness

Any disease/infection that a mother experiences during pregnancy that can affect the developing fetus

Genetic Mutations

Occur spontaneously or are inherited from parents, can lead to genetic disorders that can affect physical and cognitive development, also can make a fetus more susceptible to the effects of teratogens or environmental toxins

Atypical Brain Development

Caused by imbalances in hormones, may affect behavior and cognitive abilities

Infant Reflexes

Involuntary movements/neurological responses newborns and young infants do that help with survival

Palmar Grasp

When a finger is placed in a baby’s palm, the baby will close their hand around it

Plantar Grasp

When a finger is placed underneath a baby’s toes, they will curl their toes

Babinski Reflex

When the sole of a baby’s foot is stroked, big toe will move upward and other toes will fan out

Rooting Reflex

When a baby’s cheek is gently stroked near their mouth, they turn in that direction, mouth open, ready to eatx

Extra copy of chromosome 21

What causes Down Syndrome?

Female is missing or has an incomplete x chromosome

What causes Turner Syndrome?

Hormones

Chemical messengers that regulate many bodily functions and behaviors (includes fetal development, including brain growth and development)