Wk1-2 DevPsy

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 behavior, 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

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.