Development Across the Lifespan - Test 1 Review Exercise

Development Across the Lifespan: Test 1 Review Exercise

Test Format

  • A mix of approximately 30 True/False and Multiple Choice (M/C) questions.

  • Includes a handful of short, written answer responses with choices provided.

  • Covers material from Lectures 1, 2, 3, & 4.

  • Includes content from PPT classes 1, 2, 3, & 4, and from Text Chapters 1, 2, 5, and 6.

Key Topics Addressed in Review

Life Stages

  • Lifespan Perspective: Identifies ten distinct life stages.

  • Adolescence: Covers ages 12-20 years.

Nature vs. Nurture Controversy

  • Research on Twins:

    • Study of monozygotic (identical) and dizygotic (fraternal) twins.

    • Understanding contributions of genetics (Nature) and environment (Nurture).

    • Examples include:

      • Addictions

      • Mental Health Issues

      • Intelligence Levels

    • If nature predominates, similarities in twins should exist even in varied environments.

    • If nurture predominates, differences in twins should be observable regardless of being identical.

Biopsychosocial Perspective in Addiction

  • Biological Factors: Genes, heredity.

  • Psychological Factors: Cognitive processes (e.g., “I need alcohol to cope with stress”).

  • Social Factors: Societal norms (e.g., observations of adults drinking).

Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory

  • Personality Development: Result of interaction between growth/maturation and societal demands.

  • Eight Stages of Development: Each with a specific challenge.

    • First Stage: Basic trust versus mistrust.

Learning Theories

  • Behavioral Conditioning: Concept of reinforcement.

    • Positive Reinforcement: Adding a reward to increase behavior likelihood.

    • Example: A parent gives a child a quarter each time the child says "thank you."

    • Negative Reinforcement: Removing an unpleasant condition to increase behavior likelihood.

    • Example: A young offender is placed in restraints but is released upon stabilizing.

Bandura's Social Learning Theory

  • Observational Learning: Growth and development through observing and imitating others.

    • Factors Influencing Imitation:

    • Actor rewarded instead of punished.

    • Actor is respected and admired.

    • Personal self-efficacy in performing the observed task.

Piaget's Concrete Operational Stage

  • Characteristics:

    • Declining egocentrism.

    • Logical reasoning applicable only to concrete terms (ages 7 to 11).

Baltes and Plasticity

  • Plasticity Definition:

    • “One’s development/capacity is not carved in stone.”

Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory

  • Principles:

    • Learning occurs socially (between minds).

    • Culture influences learning processes and thought patterns.

Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Theory

  • Four Levels of Environmental Influence:

    • Microsystem: Immediate environment (family, school).

    • Mesosystem: Interconnections between microsystems.

    • Exosystem: External environmental settings influencing development.

    • Macrosystem: Larger cultural context, societal influences.

Research Methodology

  • Representative Sample:

    • Selection of a subgroup of individuals from a population (e.g., college students).

Variables in Research

  • Independent Variable:

    • The vegetarian option in a lunch program scenario.

  • Dependent Variable:

    • The number of clients using the lunch program.

Naturalistic Observation

  • Definition: Method of observing subjects in their natural environment without interference.

Genetics and Chromosomes

  • Chromosome Pairs:

    • First 22 pairs: Autosomes.

    • 23rd pair: Sex Chromosomes.

Phenotype and Genotype

  • Genotype: Determines genetic/hereditary makeup.

  • Phenotype: Determines physical/behavioral features and can be affected by environmental factors.

Genetic Abnormalities

  • Example: Down syndrome attributed to chromosomal malfunction.

Prenatal Risk Factors

  • Three Factors Influencing Risk during Pregnancy:

    • Nutrition

    • Stress

    • Maternal Age

Teratogens

  • Categories and Examples:

    • Drugs: Nicotine, alcohol.

    • Diseases: Chlamydia, chickenpox, measles.

    • Environmental Hazards: Lead, mercury.

Prenatal Assessment Tools

  • Type of Procedures:

    • Ultrasounds

    • Amniocentesis

    • Chorionic Villus Sampling.

Attachment Development

  • Bowlby’s Stages of Attachment:

    • Period of 6 to 18 months: True attachment stage.

  • Ainsworth’s Strange Situation Test:

    • Avoidant attachment style: An infant that ignores or looks away from the mother after her return.

Quality of Attachment Outcomes

  • Positive Outcomes for Secure Attachments:

    • Less likely to have behavioral problems.

    • Predictive of later successful relationships.

Development of Emotions

  • Stranger Wariness: Observable in infants around 6 months of age.

  • Knowledge of Gender Stereotypes: Children as young as 4 years exhibit extensive knowledge of gender-related activities and traits.

Research on Gender Differences

  • True Statements:

    • Males are generally larger and stronger.

    • Boys are typically more active than girls.

    • Females demonstrate higher verbal abilities.

    • Males may score slightly higher on standardized math tests.

Colberg's Gender Understanding Stages

  • Stage Description: By ages 4-7, children display Gender Constancy—the understanding that gender does not change across situations or wishes.

Intelligence Components

  • Dependent on the theory adhered to; may include:

    • Linguistic ability

    • Mathematical ability

    • Spatial ability

    • Musical ability

    • Creative ability

    • Analytical ability.

Theorists in Intelligence

  • John Carroll: Supported the notion of general intelligence (g).

  • Emotional Intelligence: Ability to effectively use one’s own and others’ emotions for problem-solving and happiness.

Intelligence Testing

  • Stanford-Binet IQ Range: Average intelligence ranges from 90 to 110.

  • Fairness of Intelligence Tests Argument: Many argue that test items reflect the cultural heritage of the economically advantaged, typically of European descent.

  • Focus on individual performance may disadvantage children from collectivist cultures.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

  • Main Symptoms of ADHD:

    • Over-activity

    • Inattention

    • Impulsivity.

Additional Thematic Hints for the Test

  • Topics include:

    • Bronfenbrenner’s theory

    • Erikson’s theory

    • Nature vs. nurture debate

    • Biopsychosocial approach

    • B.F. Skinner’s Operant Conditioning (reinforcement vs. punishment)

    • Paul Baltes’s Life-span Perspective

    • Howard Gardner’s types of intelligences.