DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCH

Chapter 6: Developmental Psychology and Aggression

• Types of aggression: Physical (hitting, pushing), verbal (name-calling, teasing), and relational (spreading rumors, exclusion).

• Difference between sex and gender: Sex is biological, while gender refers to societal roles, behaviors, and identities.

• Children’s understanding of gender-related words: Children generally start understanding gender roles around age 3-4. The distinction between "Mr.," "Mrs.," and "Miss" typically develops as they grow older and gain social knowledge.

• Empathy and moral development: Empathy is essential for moral development because it encourages prosocial behavior such as helping and sharing. It leads to emotional understanding and moral reasoning.

• Abuse vs. neglect: Abuse involves intentional harm or injury, while neglect involves the failure to provide for a child's basic needs.

• Maltreatment definitions and who to contact: Maltreatment can include physical, emotional, and sexual abuse or neglect. Contact child protective services if suspected.

• 5:1 ratio of maltreatment: For every five cases of neglect, there is one case of abuse.

• Symptoms and consequences of maltreatment: Long-term emotional, psychological, and physical issues like anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, etc.

• Resilience: The ability to overcome adversity, often due to supportive relationships and positive coping mechanisms.

Chapter 7: Health and Intelligence

• Obesity and asthma: Obesity is a significant concern because it leads to long-term health problems like heart disease, diabetes, and psychological issues. Asthma can limit physical activity and result in chronic health complications.

• Obesity treatments: Diet, exercise, behavioral changes, and sometimes medication.

• Intelligence and achievement: Measured through IQ tests, academic performance, and achievement tests.

• Multiple intelligences theory: Howard Gardner proposed that intelligence includes a range of abilities, including logical-mathematical, linguistic, spatial, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalistic intelligence.

• G (general intelligence): The theory that a single general intelligence factor underlies all cognitive abilities.

• Flynn Effect: The observed rise in IQ scores over the last century, suggesting that intelligence is influenced by environmental factors.

• BMI and obesity: BMI is used to assess overweight and obesity levels, with BMI above 25 considered overweight and above 30 obese.

• ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): ADHD involves difficulties with attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, while ASD affects social communication and behavior. Both can be managed with treatments such as medication, therapy, and behavioral interventions.

• Learning disabilities: Dyslexia (reading), dyscalculia (math), and learning disabilities in general can be diagnosed using educational assessments.

• Gifted and Talented: Special educational needs for students with exceptional abilities. These children may require special teaching strategies to help them thrive.

Chapter 8: Psychosocial Development and Family Dynamics

• Industry vs. inferiority (Erikson): During middle childhood, children develop a sense of competence through learning new skills. Failure to succeed can lead to feelings of inferiority.

• Self-concept in middle childhood: Children start to see themselves as individuals with specific strengths and weaknesses. They also become more aware of how they are perceived by others.

• Parenting and self-concept: Parenting style plays a significant role in how children develop self-esteem and self-concept.

• Resilience: Children who face cumulative stress but have supportive relationships and environments may develop resilience.

• Family function vs. structure: Function refers to how well the family meets the needs of its members, while structure refers to the family composition (e.g., single-parent, two-parent). Family function is more critical than structure.

• Divorce and family conflict: Children of divorced parents may experience emotional distress, but the quality of relationships post-divorce plays a significant role in outcomes.

• Friendships and peer groups: Friendships provide social support and influence self-esteem. Peer acceptance and status can shape a child's social identity.

• Bullying: It includes physical, verbal, and cyberbullying. Bullies often target children with low self-esteem, while victims may have various psychological symptoms.

• Moral development (Kohlberg): Kohlberg’s stages of moral development describe how moral reasoning evolves. His theory has been criticized for gender and cultural bias.

• Religion and morality: Religious teachings can influence moral development, providing frameworks for understanding right and wrong.

Chapter 9: Adolescence and Cognitive/Physical Changes

• Adolescence: Typically occurs from ages 12-18 and involves significant physical, emotional, and social changes.

• G. Stanley Hall: Hall viewed adolescence as a period of storm and stress.

• Puberty: Triggered by hormonal changes, leading to physical and emotional changes.

• Identity vs. Role Confusion (Erikson): Adolescents explore their identities, with failure leading to confusion about their roles in life.

• Formal operational stage (Piaget): Adolescents develop abstract thinking, problem-solving abilities, and hypothetical reasoning.

• Brain development in adolescence: The prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for decision-making and emotional regulation, matures during adolescence.

• Eating disorders: Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. Each has distinct symptoms and risks.

• Sexual maturation: Puberty results in physical changes, and sexual abuse can have serious psychological consequences.

• Cognitive changes: Adolescents become more egocentric (e.g., imaginary audience) and may exhibit risky behaviors due to underdeveloped decision-making abilities.

• Technology and adolescents: Technology, especially social media, can influence adolescent behavior, identity, and relationships, both positively and negatively.

Chapter 6: Developmental Psychology and Aggression

How does understanding the difference between sex and gender contribute to a child’s social development?

• Think about how children navigate gender roles in society and how this understanding impacts their behavior and self-concept.

In what ways does empathy influence moral development during childhood?

• Consider how empathy leads children to make moral decisions and develop an understanding of right and wrong.

How might a child’s exposure to abuse or neglect affect their psychological development in the long term?

• Think about the impact on emotional regulation, social skills, and self-esteem as a result of maltreatment.

What are the key differences between abuse and neglect, and why is it important to distinguish between them?

• Consider how the definition of maltreatment affects intervention and support strategies.

How do resilient children develop the ability to cope with stress and adversity?

• Think about what factors contribute to resilience, such as family support, community involvement, and individual temperament.

Chapter 7: Health and Intelligence

Why is obesity considered a major health concern in childhood, and what are the long-term consequences?

• Reflect on how obesity impacts physical and mental health in children, as well as potential strategies for prevention and intervention.

How do intelligence and achievement relate to each other, and how can they be measured?

• Consider the different ways intelligence is assessed (e.g., IQ tests) and how academic achievement serves as an indicator of cognitive ability.

What are the implications of the Flynn Effect on the understanding of intelligence?

• Think about what the rise in IQ scores over time suggests about environmental factors influencing cognitive development.

How do multiple intelligences theory and traditional intelligence models differ in explaining human cognition?

• Compare Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences with the concept of general intelligence (g).

What are the causes and treatments for ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder, and how do these disorders affect cognitive and social development?

• Reflect on the symptoms, potential causes (genetic/environmental), and how these disorders impact the child’s academic and social life.

Chapter 8: Psychosocial Development and Family Dynamics

In what ways does Erikson’s industry vs. inferiority stage shape a child’s sense of competence?

• Think about how success or failure during this stage affects a child’s self-esteem and motivation to learn.

How does parenting influence a child's self-concept during middle childhood?

• Consider how different parenting styles (authoritative, authoritarian, permissive) impact a child’s confidence and identity.

What role does family function play in child development, and why might structure (e.g., single-parent vs. two-parent homes) be less important?

• Reflect on how the quality of family relationships affects emotional and social outcomes in children.

How can experiencing family conflict, such as parental divorce, influence a child's emotional development?

• Think about the long-term effects of divorce on self-esteem, relationships, and future conflict resolution.

What are the potential impacts of peer acceptance and friendships on a child’s social development?

• Consider how being accepted or rejected by peers shapes self-esteem, social skills, and identity formation.

Chapter 9: Adolescence and Cognitive/Physical Changes

How do the changes in brain development during adolescence influence emotional regulation and decision-making?

• Reflect on the role of the prefrontal cortex in managing emotions and making reasoned decisions, and how its maturation during adolescence affects behavior.

Why is adolescence considered a critical period for identity formation, and what are the consequences of unresolved role confusion?

• Think about how adolescents navigate Erikson's stage of identity vs. role confusion and how successful resolution impacts their future identity.

What cognitive changes occur during Piaget’s formal operational stage, and how do these changes influence an adolescent’s ability to think abstractly?

• Consider how the ability to think hypothetically and abstractly contributes to problem-solving and moral reasoning during adolescence.

What are the psychological effects of sleep deprivation on adolescents, and why is this a growing concern in modern society?

• Think about how changes in sleep patterns during puberty affect mood, cognitive function, and overall health.

How do eating disorders, such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating, affect the physical and psychological health of adolescents?

• Consider the symptoms and causes of these disorders and how they can be treated to ensure better outcomes for affected individuals.

What is the role of technology in shaping adolescent social relationships and cognitive development in today's world?

• Reflect on both the positive and negative impacts of social media and technology on identity formation, peer relationships, and academic performance in adolescents.

General Reflective Questions Across Chapters

How do biological, cognitive, and psychosocial factors interact in shaping a child’s development?

• Think about the interplay between a child’s physical growth, cognitive abilities, and social experiences.

What are the critical factors that contribute to the development of resilience in children and adolescents?

• Reflect on how a combination of individual traits and external support systems help children navigate challenges and bounce back from adversity.

How does cultural context influence the way children and adolescents experience moral development, self-esteem, and identity?

• Consider how cultural norms, values, and expectations shape the development of moral reasoning and self-concept.