lecture recording on 11 March 2025 at 12.50.11 PM

Introduction to Psychology

• Definition of Psychology: The scientific study of behavior.

APA's Five Pillars of Psychology

• Overview of core courses for psychology majors: Cognitive Psychology and Developmental Psychology.

Cognitive Psychology

• Focus on understanding cognitive processes.

• Discusses theories related to cognitive development.

Developmental Psychology

• Developmental Psychology: The scientific study of psychological changes throughout the lifespan.

• Growth and changes occur from conception to death, and can involve adults, children, adolescents, and the elderly.

Big Questions in Psychology

• Nature vs. Nurture:

  • Nature: Genetics that one is born with.

  • Nurture: Environmental factors and experiences.

• Humility vs. Change: Examines the extent to which individuals remain the same versus how they change over time.

• Stage Development vs. Continuous Development:

  • Stage Development: Universal stages through which all individuals pass, often associated with ages (e.g., Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development).

  • Continuous Development: Development is gradual and occurs through ongoing processes without distinct stages.

Import of Cultural Context

• Stage theories are criticized for ignoring cultural differences, which can lead to a lack of understanding of individual experiences.

• Emphasize the role of socialization and cultural identity in development.

Prenatal Development Stages

• Stages of Prenatal Development:

  • Zygotic Stage: From zygote (fertilized egg) to two weeks.

  • Embryonic Stage: From two weeks to eight weeks; key developments include the placenta and umbilical cord.

  • Fetal Stage: After eight weeks until birth; involves significant growth and maturation.

• Importance of the Embryo Stage: Most critical for foundational development; risks of abnormalities are higher during this time.

Risk Factors in Prenatal Development

• Maternal Age: Increased risk of complications and birth defects in mothers over 35.

• Teratogens: Environmental substances that can cause malformations; alcohol is a common example.

• Importance of maternal health and avoiding toxins during pregnancy.

Reflexes and Neural Development in Newborns

• Reflexes in newborns indicate areas of brain development:

  • Autonomic vs. Somatic Nervous System: Involuntary functions versus voluntary movement.

• Critical Periods: Sensitive times for skill acquisition; lack of stimulation can hinder development.

• Synaptic Pruning: The process of eliminating unused synapses in the brain, more prevalent in adolescence.

The Role of Nurture in Development

• Importance of engagement and social interactions in healthy brain development.

• Children deprived of social interaction may exhibit developmental delays.

• Discussion on the impact of various environmental factors on attachment and emotional development.

Attachment Theory and Styles

• Attachment: Emotional connection between caregiver and child.

• Types of Attachment Styles:

  • Secure Attachment: Child is easily comforted after a caregiver's return.

  • Insecure Attachment: Characterized by avoidance or ambivalence toward the caregiver.

Parenting Styles and Their Impact

• Four Major Parenting Styles:

  • Authoritarian: High control, low warmth.

  • Authoritative: High control, high warmth.

  • Permissive: High warmth, low control.

  • Uninvolved: Low control and low warmth.

• Influence of these styles on child behavior and development over time.