psych chpt 1

Development - How did you develop?

Early Brain Development

• What you will learn

  • Development stages of the forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain in the foetus.

  • Growth of the cerebellum and medulla.

• The brain's complexity includes many unknowns, but some understanding of development exists.

Development of the Midbrain, Forebrain, and Hindbrain

• At around 3-4 weeks, a tube forms in the brain, divided into three sections:

  • Forebrain (top)

  • Midbrain (middle)

  • Hindbrain (bottom)

• By 5 weeks, forebrain splits into anterior and posterior cavities, while hindbrain divides through the middle; midbrain remains single.

• Spinal Cord connects below the hindbrain.

Development of the Cerebellum and Medulla

• The cerebellum appears in the foetus by 6 weeks of gestation and grows significantly post-birth (triples in size by age 1).

• Functions of the cerebellum: Control of physical skills, processing sensory information, and regulating fear responses.

• Medulla Oblongata (part of the hindbrain):

  • Controls involuntary actions (breathing, heart rate).

  • Fully formed by 20 weeks, linking the brain to the spinal cord.

Building Neural Connections from Birth

• From birth to age 3, massive increase of neural connections occurs (700-1000 per second).

• The brain grows rapidly, doubling in size during the first year and reaching 80% of its adult size by age 3.

• Early neural connections are crucial and reinforced through stimulation, emphasizing the need for child engagement and learning opportunities.

Key Terms

• Brain: The organ processing information and controlling behavior.

• Forebrain: The anterior segment of the brain, comprising the hemispheres and central structures.

• Midbrain: The central segment of the brain within the nervous system.

• Hindbrain: The lower segment, housing the cerebellum and medulla.

• Anterior: Indicates the front.

• Posterior: Indicates the back.

• Cerebellum: A brain area for motor skills regulation.

• Medulla Oblongata: Connects brain to spinal cord, managing automatic responses.

• Involuntary Response: Automatic reactions without conscious choice.

• Neural Connections: Connections formed between neurons, enabling communication.

Piaget's Stages of Development and Their Role in Education

Piaget's Cognitive Development Theory Overview

• Four distinct stages characterized by slow, gradual changes, with no major fluctuations during the stages.

• Transition indicates readiness for the next stage, often showing features from both stages.

Stages of Development

Sensorimotor Stage: Birth to 2 Years

• Infants acquire knowledge through senses and movement.

• Early learning leads to the concept of object permanence (awareness of objects existing out of sight) around 6 months.

• Late stage results in self-recognition and intentional actions.

Pre-operational Stage: 2 to 7 Years

• Two sub-stages:

  • Symbolic Function Stage (2-4 years): Symbolic play and language development emerge; egocentrism is prevalent.

  • Intuitive Thought Stage (4-7 years): Children start to reason and ask questions, but can only focus on one aspect of a situation (centration).

Concrete Operational Stage: 7 to 12 Years

• Introduction of logical thought, but confined to concrete objects.

• Abilities include:

  • Seriation: Sorting objects by size.

  • Classification: Identifying objects based on traits.

  • Reversibility: Understanding actions can be reversed.

  • Conservation: Recognizing quantities stay the same despite changes in appearance.

• Decentration: Understanding multiple aspects simultaneously becomes possible.

Formal Operational Stage: 12+ Years

• Abstract thought development; youth can contemplate various scenarios and consequences.

• Skills include: Understanding complex scenarios and recognizing societal norms and their implications.

Applying Piaget's Stages in Education

• Focus on child’s developmental stage rather than purely outcome-based learning.

• Adjust teaching strategies to accommodate varying developmental levels.

• Encourage discovery learning and individualized teaching approaches.

Exam-Style Question Example

• Define egocentrism: Inability to view a situation from any perspective aside from one’s own.

• Example: A child may insist that their own viewpoint is the correct one, as seen in conflicts with peers.

Key Terms

• Cognitive: Relating to thinking and understanding processes.

• Operations: Methods of reasoning.

• Object Permanence: Understanding that an object remains existent even when not visible.

Dweck's Mindset Theory and Effects on Learning Development

Understanding Mindset Theory

• Mindset: The belief systems guiding responses to challenges.

• The theory posits that students who believe in their capacity for improvement display more effort compared to those with a fixed mindset.

• Growth mindset leads to resilience, while fixed mindset discourages effort due to perceived inability.

Implications of Mindset Theory

• Fixed Mindset:

  • Belief that ability is static and unchangeable.

• Growth Mindset:

  • Belief that abilities enhance through practice and effort.

Teaching Strategies Based on Mindset Theory

• Educators should focus on praise related to effort and strategy rather than innate ability to foster growth mindsets.

Experimental Evidence Supporting Mindset Theory

• Studies show that effort-oriented praise enhances learning and persistence in students, while ability-focused praise can lead to avoidance of challenges.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Mindset Theory

• Practical applications and positive messaging contribute to its strength.

• Limitations include artificial settings in studies, which could detract from validity.

Willingham's Learning Theory and the Effects of Learning on Development

Introduction to Willingham's Learning Theory

• Emphasizes the necessity of foundational factual knowledge before developing skills.

• Stress on practice and repetition to solidify learned skills and knowledge.

Importance of Practice and Effort

• Mastery requires iterative practice to automate skills and open cognitive space for learning new concepts.

Cognitive Development Strategies

• Learning activities should engage students cognitively based on their developmental stage and variability.

Physical Development Strategies

• Utilize repetition to make motor skills automatic.

• Continually provide feedback and guidance to refine movement skills.

Social Development Strategies

• Encourage children to take others' perspectives to promote social learning.

• Foster self-regulation through structured environments that minimize impulsivity.

Moral Development: Piaget's and Kohlberg's Theories

Definitions

• Morals: Standards of right and wrong behavior.

• Moral Development: Transformation in reasoning about right and wrong.

Piaget's Theory of Moral Development

• Development occurs in two stages:

  • Heteronomous Morality: Rules cannot be changed; moral decisions are based on consequences (ages 5-10).

  • Autonomous Morality: Understanding that intentions are crucial; rules can change with agreement (age 10+).

Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development

• Proposed three levels of morality:

  • Pre-conventional: Rules are unchangeable; focus on punishment and reward.

  • Conventional: Understanding social norms and being a good member of society.

  • Post-conventional: Abstraction of moral reasoning; universal principles beyond laws.

Critique of Theories

• Both theories draw on artificial scenarios lacking ecological validity.

• Gender bias criticism is evident, particularly in Kohlberg's male-centric research approach.

Fairness in Educational Practice

• Understanding developmental frameworks aids educators in tailoring instructional approaches.

• Observing children’s moral development can inform social interactions in educational settings.