Human Development

Overview of Human Development

  • Human development studies changes across the lifespan, including physical, cognitive, and social changes.

  • Offered class at MJC: Psychology 141 on human lifespan development as a comprehensive exploration.

Infancy and Childhood

Brain Development

  • Majority of neurons are present at birth, but they are not yet connected through synapses.

  • Dendrites (receiving part) and axons (sending part) grow over time to enable abilities like speaking, playing instruments, etc.

  • Long-term memory formation begins around age 3 when sufficient neural connections have formed.

Social Development

  • Initial focus is forming attachment bonds with caregivers rather than peer relationships.

  • Dr. Harry Harlow's studies on baby monkeys demonstrated the importance of body contact over sustenance in forming attachments.

  • Preferred attachment is to soft "mother" despite proximity to food source, highlighting the importance of comfort and contact.

Cognitive Development

  • Associated with Jean Piaget, who proposed four stages:

    • Sensorimotor Stage (0-2 years): Engagement through senses; development of object permanence.

      • Example: Peekaboo becomes engaging once babies understand object permanence.

    • Preoperational Stage (2-6 years): Advancement in language and pretend play; egocentrism and lack of conservation skills.

      • Children do not understand that objects can change appearance while maintaining the same volume (e.g., splitting a cookie).

    • Concrete Operational Stage (7-11 years): Understanding of conservation skills; mathematical abilities develop fully including algebra.

    • Formal Operational Stage (12+ years): Abstract thought and moral reasoning develop more fully; prior stages lay the foundation for critical thinking.

Adolescence

Developmental Changes

  • Transitional phase from childhood to adulthood marked by physical changes and puberty.

  • Social development becomes crucial; focus on identity formation based on Erik Erikson’s theories.

    • Crisis of identity: Need to answer "Who am I?" to avoid role confusion later in life.

Puberty

  • Physical maturation leads to sexual maturity:

    • Females: onset of menstruation.

    • Males: development of reproductive organs.

  • Age of puberty is decreasing due to various environmental factors.

Young Adulthood

Social Relationships

  • Age range: 18-30 years; focus on forming intimate and long-lasting relationships.

  • Erikson’s crisis of intimacy; successful resolution requires prior identity formation.

  • Recognizing a shift in relationships with parents towards adulthood.

Physical Peak

  • Early adulthood is associated with peak physical and sensory abilities.

Later Adulthood

Continued Development

  • Development continues beyond 40 years:

    • May experience menopause, slower reaction time, and normal memory loss.

    • Alzheimer's disease represents severe cognitive decline, but some memory loss is normal with aging.

Life Satisfaction

  • Assessments of life become more positive as individuals age, often due to acceptance of life circumstances.

  • Concept of the empty nest: a period of happiness for parents when children leave home.

Crisis of Integrity

  • Erikson identifies later life crisis as seeking integrity:

    • Reflecting on life’s meaning and contributions while minimizing regrets.

    • Aim to leave a positive legacy and influence on society.