Unit 3 Development and Learning
Module 3: Development & Learning in AP Psychology
Page 1: Introduction to Developmental Psychology
Developmental psychology studies physical, cognitive, and social change throughout the lifespan.
Page 2: Learning Target Checklist
Enduring themes in developmental psychology: Nature vs. nurture, continuity vs. stages, stability vs. change.
Research design methods: Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies.
Physical development: Impact on behavior and mental processes from prenatal stages to adulthood.
Sex and gender: Influence on socialization and aspects of development.
Cognitive development theories: Implementation in behavior and mental processes.
Language and communication: Development processes and key components.
Learning processes: Classical conditioning, operant conditioning, social learning, and cognitive factors.
Page 3: Module Overview
Themes & Methods: Explores the themes of developmental psychology and research methodologies used in the field.
Page 4: Major Issues in Developmental Psychology
Nature vs. Nurture: Interaction of genetic inheritance and experience in development.
Continuity vs. Stages: Gradual vs. abrupt changes in development.
Stability vs. Change: Persistence of traits and changes through aging.
Page 5: Research Methods
Longitudinal Studies: Follow and retest the same group over time.
Cross-Sectional Studies: Compare people of different ages at a single point.
Page 6: Module—Physical Development
Discusses critical physical development events at various stages, including prenatal and postnatal development.
Page 7: Prenatal Development Chart
Periods of Development:
Ovum: Weeks 1-2.
Embryo: Weeks 3-8 (major structural defects possible).
Fetus: Weeks 9-38 (major functional defects and development).
Page 8: Learning in the Womb
Preliminary insights into fetal learning capabilities and memory formation during gestation.
Page 9: Influences on Prenatal Development
Teratogens: Agents causing harm to the fetus, including illnesses, medications, drugs, and environmental factors.
Examples: Zika virus, genetic mutations, hormone dysregulation, poor diet, stress, and exposure to harmful substances.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Physical and cognitive abnormalities from alcohol exposure.
Page 10: Physical Effects of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Indicators of fetal alcohol syndrome displayed in newborns, including microcephaly and specific facial features.
Page 11: Common Teratogens and Their Effects
List of Teratogenic Agents:
Rubella: Blindness and heart defects.
Alcohol: Fetal alcohol syndrome.
Nicotine: Miscarriage risks and developmental issues.
Caffeine: Risk of miscarriage or low birth weight.
Page 12: Fertility and Birthrate Statistics
Current global birth rate and miscarriage prevalence. Factors influencing fertility include stress, diet, genes, environment, and age.
Page 13: Newborn Reflexes
Automatic Reflexes: Essential responses for survival, such as rooting, sucking, and grasping. Habituation is also noted.
Page 14: Reflexes in Newborns
Table of Newborn Reflexes: Eye blink, rooting, sucking, swimming, and their functions in infant survival.
Page 15: Maturation
Maturation: Biological growth processes influencing behavior changes independent of experience.
Page 16: Critical Periods
Critical Periods: Optimal times for acquiring certain skills; lack of exposure results in difficulties later.
Page 17: Critical Period Videos
Multimedia resources related to critical periods in development.
Page 18: Motor Development
Universal sequence of motor skills, with emerging physical coordination as infants exercise their growing muscles.
Page 19: Depth Perception
Visual Cliff Experiment: Analyzes infants' understanding of depth perception through non-verbal cues.
Page 20: Konrad Lorenz & Imprinting
Imprinting: The process in which young animals form attachments during critical periods, particularly concerning their caretakers.
Page 21: The Teenage Years
Adolescence: Transitional period involving physiological and emotional changes.
Page 22: Primary vs. Secondary Sex Characteristics
Hormonal Changes: Estrogen and testosterone trigger physical changes during puberty, affecting growth patterns and traits.
Page 23: Onset of Puberty
Key markers for puberty onset: menarche for girls at age 12.5, spermarche for boys at age 14.
Page 24: Changes in Middle Adulthood
Physical declines including muscular strength, sensory abilities, and hormone levels affecting sexual activity.
Page 25: Late Adulthood Changes
Discussion on the declining immune system and sensory perceptions in late adulthood.
Page 26: Elements of Aging
Effects of aging on health, cognitive processes, and the benefits of exercise in mitigating decline.
Page 27: Successful Aging Factors
Biological, Psychological, and Social-Cultural Influences: Factors promoting successful aging include genetics, mental outlook, and support networks.
Page 28: Module on Gender & Sexual Orientation
Exploration of distinctions defining sex vs. gender and their implications.
Page 29: Understanding Sex vs. Gender
The definition of sex derived from biological traits, and gender as the social roles associated.
Page 30: Module on Cognitive Development
Focus on cognitive development processes, informed by historical theories.
Page 31: Jean Piaget's Contributions
Piaget’s research emphasized children's systematic cognitive growth and adaptation through exploration.
Page 32: Piaget's Schema
Definition of schemas and the use of assimilation and accommodation in cognitive development.
Page 33: Organizing Cognitive Development
Analyses how intellectual progression is shaped by experiences through development stages.
Page 34: Piaget's Learning Process
Practical example of schema adaptation through interaction with the environment.
Page 35: Stages of Cognitive Development
Piaget’s four stages: Sensorimotor, Preoperational, Concrete Operational, and Formal Operational.
Page 36: Piaget's Theory Summary
Overview of Piaget’s model of cognitive development and its applications.
Page 37: Sensorimotor Stage
Early cognitive stage marked by learning through sensory experiences and lack of object permanence until 6-8 months.
Page 38: Preoperational Stage
Characteristics include egocentrism, lack of reversible operations, and imaginative play.
Page 39: Transition to Cognitive Growth
Characteristics of the evolution of children's cognitive thought processes.
Page 40: Concrete Operational Stage
Logical thinking develops using tangible objects; mastery of conservation concepts emerges.
Page 41: Formal Operational Stage
Development of abstract reasoning abilities and hypothesis evaluation emerges by adolescence.
Page 42: Summary of Cognitive Stages
Overview of the age range and key milestones associated with each cognitive development stage.
Page 43: Lev Vygotsky's Contribution
Importance of social interactions in cognitive development; introduction of "scaffolding" concept.
Page 44: Zone of Proximal Development
Vygotsky's idea of optimal learning environments between independent and guided learning experiences.
Page 45: Learning Development Process
Contrast of learning methods based on Vygotsky’s and Piaget’s theories.
Page 46: Factors in Learning and Development
Comparisons between Vygotsky’s social perspective and Piaget’s cognitive approach to learning.
Page 47: Intelligence Studies
Discusses research findings on intelligence traits, revealing the balance of crystallized and fluid intelligence over time.
Page 48: Understanding Language
Definition of language and its purpose in human communication.
Page 49: Language Development Theories
Overview of Noam Chomsky’s Nativist, B.F. Skinner’s Behaviorist, and Vygotsky’s Sociocultural perspectives.
Page 50: Language Elements
Breakdown of components of language such as phonemes, morphemes, semantics, and grammar.
Page 51: Language Development Timeline
Stages in developmental language acquisition from infancy through early childhood behaviors.
Page 52: Early Language Skills
Sequential stages of language development from 0-2 years.
Page 53: Language Acquisition Process
Infant language development progresses through phases of sound recognition and speech formation.
Page 54: A World Without Sound
Description of how visual communication systems could replace spoken language in different contexts.
Page 55: Animal Communication
Evidence of animal thought and communication forms reflecting cultural learned behaviors.
Page 56: Module Social-Emotional Development
Exploration of emotional bonds within attachment theory frameworks.
Page 57: Ecological Systems Theory
Bronfenbrenner’s framework explaining how environmental systems overlap to influence development.
Page 58: Parenting Styles by Diana Baumrind
Diverse parenting approaches categorized based on responsiveness and demand levels.
Page 59: Effects of Parenting Styles
Describe how various parenting styles can influence child behavior and social outcomes.
Page 60: Origins of Attachment
Discusses attachment's importance for infants in social referencing with caregiver presence.
Page 61: Harry Harlow's Monkey Experiment
Presentation of findings on attachment and contact comfort from surrogate mother experiments.
Page 62: Ainsworth's Strange Situation Experiment
Method for measuring infant attachment styles through separation and reunion scenarios.
Page 63: Temperament Defined
Overview of individual differences in emotional reactivity and behavioral patterns present from infancy.
Page 64: Culture’s Impact on Parenting
Cultural influences on values, beliefs, and child-rearing practices indicative of distinct parenting styles.
Page 65: Formation of Social Connections
Concepts on parallel and pretend play in child development and implications for socialization.
Page 66: Social Clock Concept
Description of how social events dictate progression throughout various adulthood stages.
Page 67: Emerging Adulthood
Define emerging adulthood, characterized by young adult transitional experiences of independence.
Page 68: Parent & Peer Relationships
Examination of how parental influences and peer relationships change during adolescence.
Page 69: Erik Erikson & Psychosocial Development
Stages of psychosocial tasks defined by Erikson, focusing on challenges at different life stages.
Page 70: Summary of Erikson's Stages
Breakdown of Erikson's eight stages reflecting critical psychosocial tasks across the lifespan.
Page 71: Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Analysis of long-term impacts of childhood traumas on emotional and social development.
Page 72: Identity Formation
The progression from individual self-exploration to integrated identity during adolescence.
Page 73: James Marcia's Identity Status Theory
Identification of four identity statuses related to commitment and exploration implications for adolescents.
Page 74: Biological and Cognitive Influences on Development
Discussion of biological and cognitive parameters shaping learning and conditioning processes.
Page 75: Classical Conditioning Overview
Foundational definitions and processes pertaining to classical conditioning and associative learning.
Page 76: Pavlov's Experiments
Initial studies showcasing the response patterns in the conditioning of dogs via Pavlov’s research.
Page 77: Classical Conditioning Principles
Key terms such as stimulus generalization, discrimination, and response extinction outlined.
Page 78: Little Albert's Case Study
Watson’s study demonstrating the conditioning of fear responses in children towards stimuli.
Page 79: Biological Constraints on Learning
Examination of natural predispositions affecting learning capabilities and their connection to survival instincts.
Page 80: Operant Conditioning Defined
Describestheories and practices detailing how consequences affect repetitive behaviors.
Page 81: B.F. Skinner and the Skinner Box
Focus on Skinner’s methodologies and findings surrounding reinforcement and behavior modification.
Page 82: Reinforcement Types Defined
Reinforcement concepts established, including positive and negative reinforcement with everyday examples.
Page 83: Schedules of Reinforcement
Analyze the effectiveness of continuous vs. partial reinforcement schedules on learned behavior acquisition.
Page 84: Punishment Overview
Definitions of positive and negative punishment and their effects on behavior modification.
Page 85: Methods for Behavior Modification
Review of strategies such as shaping, reinforcement, and punishment to influence behavioral changes.
Page 86: Social Learning Theory
Principles of observational learning examined through Bandura’s Bobo doll experiment outcomes.
Page 87: Constraints on Learning and Behavior
Discusses the effects of cognitive processes on learning capabilities beyond behavioral responses.
Page 88: Prosocial and Antisocial Effects of Observational Learning
Investigation into how modeling affects individual behavior negatively or positively across generations.
Page 89: The Impact of Media on Behavior
Review of studies linking exposure to violent media with subsequent aggression and desensitization effects.
Page 90: Biological and Cognitive Influences on Learning
Summary of how cognitive expectations shape associative learning while addressing biological constraints.
Page 91: Social Power & Connectedness
Exploration of gender differences in social interactions and their implications in developmental contexts.
Page 92: Autism Spectrum Disorder Overview
Insight into the prevalence of ASD and associated symptoms alongside diagnostic trends.
Page 93: Moral Reasoning Theory by Lawrence Kohlberg
Overview of stages of moral reasoning as outlined by Kohlberg, linking morality and character development.
Page 94: The Heinz Dilemma Scenario
Application of Kohlberg’s moral reasoning framework through a classic ethical dilemma analysis.
Page 95: Biofeedback Mechanisms
Examination of biofeedback systems and their implications for physiological and psychological adjustments.
Page 96: Cognitive Perspectives on Motivation
Delve into intrinsic and extrinsic motivations affecting individual pursuits and behaviors.
Page 97: Sense of Control in Development
Discuss coping methods and strategies individuals engage along with the importance of personal power.
Page 98: Brain Regions and Language Processing
Illustrate key brain areas responsible for language comprehension and production, including aphasia types.
Page 99: Control Mechanisms in Behavior
Definition and analysis of problem-focused and emotion-focused coping styles.
Page 100: Growth of the Brain During Development
Delve into the growth patterns of neural networks during critical developmental phases in the womb.
Page 101: Environmental Influences on Brain Development
Highlight how interactions with stimulating environments foster neuronal growth and connection development.
Page 102: Memory Development Patterns
Insight into the recollection abilities of early childhood and the gradual loss of infantile amnesia.
Page 103: Effects of Early Puberty
Characterize consequences of early onset of puberty regarding social and personal development in teens.
Page 104: Cognitive Development Changes in Adolescence
Discussion on neuronal pruning, rational development, and reasoning skills in adolescents.
Page 105: Sexual Development and Gender Identity
Differences in gender expression and development experiences influenced by biological anomalies.
Page 106: Aggression and Gender Differences
Examine how physical and relational aggression exhibit through gendered behaviors stemming from physiological differences.
Page 107: Ethics in Gender Behavior Studies
Discourse on gender role expectations and societal constructions inferring behavioral understanding.
Page 108: Gender Expression and Identity Formation
Definitions concerning gender identity, gender expression, and current societal views on non-binary statuses.
Page 109: Sexual Orientation Basics
Outline of sexual orientation types and the faculties influencing their development across various biological and cultural contexts.
Page 110: Alfred Kinsey's Research Impact
The breadth of Kinsey’s contributions to understanding human sexuality, reshaping societal perceptions of sexual behavior.
Page 111: The Physiology of Sexual Behavior
Investigate the interplay of hormones in driving sexual behavior across an individual’s lifespan.
Page 112: The Psychology of Sexual Behavior
Insight into how cognitive processes influence sexual dynamics and outcomes based on societal constructs.
Page 113: STIs and Sexual Health Risks
Discuss the implications of STI awareness, prevention methods, and societal knowledge surrounding sexual health.
Page 114: Producing Variations in Sexual Behavior
Examine factors like impulsivity and lifestyle choices impacting teen sexual behaviors and attitudes.
Page 115: Identifying Factors Predicting Abstinence
Illustrate determinants correlating high intelligence, religious commitment, and family structure to rates of sexual initiation.
Page 116: Biological and Behavioral Indicators of Identity
Explain the varied biological and social markers influencing one’s behavioral and identity facets.
Page 117: Critiques of Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory
Summarization of concerns surrounding child developmental timelines and the age of cognitive maturity.
Page 118: Roots of Moral Action
Discusses how moral reasoning builds upon intuitive feelings and the essential self-control required for principled behavior.
Page 119: Cognitive Decline Across the Lifespan
Analysis of cognitive changes, including Alzheimer's disease effects on memory and reasoning.
Page 120: The Case Study of Genie
Review Genie’s story to explore critical periods of language acquisition and the importance of social interaction in linguistic development.