dev pgs 440-462

Unit Breakdown

• Developmental Issues, Prenatal Development, and the Newborn

  • Infancy and Childhood:

    • Physical Development

    • Cognitive Development

    • Social Development

    • Gender Development

  • Adolescence:

    • Physical and Cognitive Development

    • Social Development and Emerging Adulthood

  • Adult Development:

    • Physical, Cognitive, and Social Development

Introduction

• Life is viewed as a journey from womb to tomb, influenced by both nature (genetics) and nurture (environment).

• Personal experiences shape identity, beginning with genetics received from ancestors and early childhood experiences.

Major Themes in Developmental Psychology

Key Developmental Issues

1. Nature vs. Nurture: Interaction between genetic inheritance and experiences influences development.

2. Continuity vs. Stages: Determines if development is gradual or occurs in distinct stages (like climbing a ladder).

3. Stability vs. Change: Examines which traits persist through life and how individuals change over time.

   • Some characteristics, such as temperament, remain stable while others, like attitudes, can change.

Prenatal Development

Stages of Prenatal Development

• Development consists of three main stages:

  1. Zygote Stage: Conception to 2 weeks, where rapid cell division occurs.

  2. Embryo Stage: From 2 to 8 weeks, the formation of organs begins.

  3. Fetus Stage: From 9 weeks until birth; sensory organs develop, and the fetus reacts to sounds.

Teratogens

• Teratogens are harmful agents (like drugs, alcohol) that can cause developmental abnormalities.

  • Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS): Causes physical and cognitive impairments due to alcohol exposure in utero.

  • Maternal stress can also impact fetal development through stress hormones.

Newborn Abilities

• Newborns come equipped with natural reflexes (sucking, rooting) essential for survival.

Research Methods

• Researchers use methods like habituation to study infants' perceptual and cognitive abilities.

  • Infants prefer faces and can recognize their mother's voice over others shortly after birth.

Cognitive Development (Module 44)

Piaget's Stages of Cognitive Development

1. Sensorimotor Stage (0-2 years)

   • Learning through sensory experiences and actions.

   • Key Concept: Object permanence.

2. Preoperational Stage (2-7 years)

   • Development of language; egocentric thinking predominates.

3. Concrete Operational Stage (7-11 years)

   • Logical thinking about concrete events; understanding of conservation.

4. Formal Operational Stage (12 years onwards)

   • Abstract reasoning and problem-solving.

Concepts within Piaget's Theory

• Schemas: Mental molds for interpreting experiences.

• Assimilation: Integrating new experiences into existing schemas.

• Accommodation: Altering schemas to include new experiences.

Vygotsky's Social Development Theory

• Emphasizes social interactions and cultural context in cognitive development, introducing concepts like the zone of proximal development where learning occurs with guidance.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

• Characterized by difficulties in social interactions and communication, increasing in prevalence.

• Affected individuals may exhibit strengths in specific areas but struggle with social cues and perspective-taking.

• Biology plays a significant role in ASD's development, with genetic factors contributing alongside environmental influences.

• Early intervention can improve outcomes for children with ASD.