Development test

1. Developmental Psychology Overview

  • Developmental Psychology: The study of how people grow and change from conception to death.

  • Covers physical, cognitive, and social/emotional development.

👶 2. Prenatal Development

Stages:

  1. Zygote (0–2 weeks): Fertilized egg, rapid cell division.

  2. Embryo (2–8 weeks): Organs begin forming, heart beats.

  3. Fetus (9 weeks–birth): Growth and maturation of organs.

Important Concepts:

  • Teratogens: Harmful substances (e.g., alcohol, drugs) that can cause birth defects.

  • Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS): Physical and cognitive abnormalities due to heavy drinking during pregnancy.

🍼 3. Infancy and Childhood

Physical Development:

  • Maturation: Biological growth processes uninfluenced by experience (e.g., crawling → walking).

  • Reflexes: Rooting, sucking, grasping, Moro (startle), Babinski.

Cognitive Development – Jean Piaget:

  1. Sensorimotor Stage (0–2 years):

    • Experience the world through senses and actions.

    • Object permanence develops (~8 months).

  2. Preoperational Stage (2–7 years):

    • Use language, but lack logical reasoning.

    • Egocentrism, animism, centration, pretend play.

    • Theory of mind develops (understanding others’ perspectives).

  3. Concrete Operational Stage (7–11 years):

    • Think logically about concrete events.

    • Conservation and mathematical transformations.

  4. Formal Operational Stage (12+ years):

    • Abstract reasoning, hypothetical thinking.

Critiques of Piaget:

  • Underestimates kids; development more continuous.

Lev Vygotsky:

  • Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD): Difference between what a learner can do alone vs. with help.

  • Emphasized social interaction and scaffolding (supporting learning).

🧷 4. Attachment and Parenting

Attachment Styles (Mary Ainsworth’s “Strange Situation”):

  1. Secure Attachment: Distressed when caregiver leaves, comforted when they return.

  2. Insecure-Avoidant: Indifferent to caregiver’s presence/absence.

  3. Insecure-Anxious/Ambivalent: Clingy, very distressed, not easily comforted.

Harry Harlow:

  • Monkey studies showed contact comfort (soft cloth mother preferred over wire food mother).

Imprinting (Konrad Lorenz):

  • Some animals form attachments during a critical period early in life.

Parenting Styles (Diana Baumrind):

  1. Authoritarian: Strict, expects obedience → less social skill/self-esteem.

  2. Permissive: Few rules → aggressive, immature.

  3. Authoritative: Demanding but responsive → best outcomes.

  4. Neglectful/Uninvolved (added later): Detached, indifferent.

Social Development – Erik Erikson’s 8 Stages

Stage

Age

Conflict

Positive Outcome

1. Trust vs. Mistrust

0–1 yr

Can I trust others?

Secure attachment, trust in world

2. Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt

1–3

Can I do things myself?

Confidence, independence

3. Initiative vs. Guilt

3–6

Can I take initiative?

Leadership, decision-making

4. Industry vs. Inferiority

6–12

Can I be competent?

Confidence in abilities

5. Identity vs. Role Confusion

12–18

Who am I?

Strong sense of self

6. Intimacy vs. Isolation

20s–30s

Can I form close relationships?

Love, relationships

7. Generativity vs. Stagnation

40s–60s

Can I contribute to the world?

Productivity, purpose

8. Integrity vs. Despair

60s+

Did I live a meaningful life?

Wisdom, satisfaction

🧬 6. Moral Development – Lawrence Kohlberg

  1. Preconventional (before age 9):

    • Obey rules to avoid punishment or gain reward.

  2. Conventional (early adolescence):

    • Uphold laws/rules for social approval or duty.

  3. Postconventional (some adults):

    • Actions reflect belief in basic rights/ethics.

Carol Gilligan’s Critique: Kohlberg’s theory was male-focused; women may prioritize care over justice.

🧓 7. Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood

  • Puberty: Sexual maturation, brain still developing (esp. frontal lobe).

  • Identity Formation (Erikson): Major task of adolescence.

  • Peer influence peaks; parents still important.

🎂 8. Adulthood and Aging

Physical:

  • Peak physical abilities in 20s.

  • Declines in fertility, vision, strength with age.

Cognitive:

  • Crystallized intelligence (accumulated knowledge) increases with age.

  • Fluid intelligence (reasoning speed) decreases.

Social Clock:

  • Cultural norms for when life events "should" happen (marriage, kids, retirement).

Dementia/Alzheimer’s:

  • Memory loss, cognitive decline—not normal aging.

🧪 9. Nature vs. Nurture

  • Nature: Genetics, biology.

  • Nurture: Environment, experiences.

  • Most traits are influenced by both (interactionist approach).

🧵 10. Key Terms to Know

  • Temperament

  • Cross-sectional vs. longitudinal studies

  • Habituation

  • Schema, assimilation, accommodation (Piaget)

  • Gender identity vs. gender role

  • Primary vs. secondary sex characteristics

  • Menopause

  • Empty nest syndrome