Fiveable Notes Unit 3_ Development and Learning

Unit 3: Development and Learning

3.1 Themes and Methods in Developmental Psychology

• Developmental Psychology: Examines individuals' growth and changes throughout life.

  • Focuses on chronological milestones and thematic patterns.

  • Key debates: Nature vs. Nurture, Continuous vs. Discontinuous Development.

  • Research methods: Cross-sectional (compares age groups) and Longitudinal (tracks individuals over time).

Enduring Themes

• Chronological vs Thematic Development:

  • Chronological: Order and timing of developmental changes.

  • Thematic: Stability, change, nature vs. nurture, continuous vs. discontinuous development.

• Stability vs Change in Development:

  • Stability: Traits that remain consistent (e.g., personality traits).

  • Change: Growth and adaptation as individuals age (e.g., cognitive abilities).

3.2 Physical Development Across the Lifespan

• Prenatal Influences: Teratogens can harm developing fetuses.

  • Maternal illnesses and genetic mutations can lead to issues.

  • Environmental factors: Poor nutrition, toxins, etc.

• Infancy and Childhood Motor Skills:

  • Development of gross and fine motor skills, influenced by genetics and practice.

  • Reflexes present at birth indicate healthy development.

3.3 Cognitive Development Theories

• Piaget's Stages:

  • Schemas: Frameworks to organize knowledge.

  • Stages: Sensorimotor, Preoperational, Concrete Operational, Formal Operational.

• Vygotsky’s Theory:

  • Emphasizes social learning and cultural context in cognitive development.

  • Scaffolding: Support from skilled individuals.

3.4 Communication and Language Development

• Language Development Stages:

  • Nonverbal gestures, cooing, babbling, one-word utterances, telegraphic speech.

• Error Patterns:

  • Overregularization and overextension demonstrate active language construction.

3.5 Social-Emotional Development Across the Lifespan

• Examines attachment, identity, and social relationships throughout life.

3.6 Parenting Styles and Developmental Outcomes

• Parenting styles (Authoritarian, Authoritative, Permissive) impact development.

• Attachment patterns influence emotional regulation and social interactions.

3.7 Erikson's Psychosocial Development Stages

• Eight stages of psychosocial development covering conflicts at each lifespan stage.

  • Trust vs Mistrust: Trust developed through consistent caregiving.

  • Autonomy vs Shame: Independence through choice-making.

3.8 Identity Development in Adolescence

• Critical period for identity formation involving values, beliefs, and self-concept.

• Four identity statuses: Achievement, Moratorium, Foreclosure, Diffusion.

3.9 Unit Review Key Concepts

• Nature vs. Nurture: Debate on genetic vs. environmental influences on development.

• Continuous vs. Discontinuous: Understanding of development as gradual vs. in stages.

• Critical Periods: Important timeframes for certain developments (language acquisition).

• Plasticity: Brain's ability to adapt as a result of experiences.