Developmental Psychology Concepts

Conventional Morality

• Stages 3 and 4: Involves viewing problems from the perspective of being a good, responsible member of society.

Postconventional Morality

• Stages 5 and 6: Involves invoking universal moral principles that transcend specific societal norms.

Social and Emotional Development

• Industry vs. Inferiority (Erikson's Stages): Development of skills and competence vs. feelings of inferiority during elementary years.

Adolescent Development

• Puberty:
  • Onset of reproductive capability.
  • Characterized by growth spurts and secondary sexual characteristics (e.g., body hair, voice changes).
  • Triggered by hormones, primarily testosterone in males and estrogen in females, leading to physical changes and reproductive maturity.
  • Primary Cause of Death in Adolescents: Accidents.

Cognitive Development

• Formal Operational Stage (Piaget):
  • Ability to think abstractly and hypothetically.
  • Development of future planning and predicting potential outcomes.
• Cognitive Changes: Transition from conventional to postconventional moral reasoning as per Kohlberg's model.

Identity Development

• Marcia's Identity Statuses:
  • Identity Diffusion: Lack of commitment or exploration.
  • Foreclosure: Commitment without exploration, often influenced by authority figures.
  • Moratorium: Active exploration without making a clear commitment.
  • Identity Achievement: Committing to a chosen identity after exploring options.
• Identity Formation:
  • Personal Fable: Sense of being unique in experiences.
  • Imaginary Audience: Belief that others are highly attentive and focused on them.

Autonomy and Peer Influence

• Adolescents typically question family beliefs and values.
• Peer groups significantly influence behavior and identity.
• The quest for independence from parents often leads to conflicts due to students asserting their individuality.

Psychosocial Development

• Identity vs. Role Confusion (Erikson): Adolescents explore different roles and beliefs to achieve self-discovery.

Eating Disorders

• Anorexia Nervosa: Intense fear of weight gain leading to restricted eating.
• Bulimia Nervosa: Binge eating followed by purging.

Adulthood Development

• ### Early Adulthood:
  • Intimacy vs. Isolation (Erikson's stage): Focused on forming intimate relationships.
  • Peak physical abilities followed by gradual decline with age.
• ### Middle Adulthood:
  • Generativity vs. Stagnation (Erikson): Emphasis on contributing to society and guiding future generations.
  • Onset of primary (natural) and secondary (lifestyle-influenced) aging.
  • Commonly experienced changes include menopause (permanent end of menstruation).
• ### Late Adulthood:
  • Integrity vs. Despair (Erikson): Reflecting on life and achievements.
  • Common health issues include osteoporosis (fragile bones) and heart disease (leading cause of death).

Cognitive Development in Adulthood

• Fluid Intelligence: Declines with age; relates to problem-solving and adaptability.
• Crystallized Intelligence: Remains stable or improves; relates to accumulated knowledge and verbal skills.
• Memory and processing speeds may decline in later adulthood, while wisdom and knowledge often remain stable.

Selective Optimization with Compensation

• A strategy for older adults to focus on maintaining strengths while compensating for declines due to aging.

End-of-Life and Aging

• Aging Terms:
  • Primary Aging: Natural, biological process of aging.
  • Secondary Aging: Influenced by environmental and lifestyle factors.
• Cognitive Decline: Issues such as dementia and memory loss.
• Psychosocial Aspects:
  • Hospice care provides emotional support for end-of-life.
  • Grief is a common emotional response to significant loss.
  • Euthanasia: Assisting terminally ill patients to end life swiftly.

General Theories and Concepts

• Nature vs. Nurture: Debate regarding hereditary vs. environmental factors in development.
• Erikson's Psychosocial Theory:
  • Outlines eight stages of psychosocial development influencing personality, including:
  • Trust vs. Mistrust (0-1): Development of trust in caregivers.
  • Autonomy vs. Shame (1-3): Fostering independence leads to confidence.
  • Initiative vs. Guilt: Encouragement promotes confidence in initiatives.