Lecture 9_Lifespan Development (1)

Lifespan Development

• Definition and focus of human lifespan development.

Stages of Human Development

• Neonate (newborn)

• Infancy (approx. 0-2 years)

• Early childhood (approx. 2-6 years)

• Middle childhood (approx. 6-12 years)

• Adolescence

• Early adulthood

• Late adulthood

• Death

Domains of Development

• Physical Development

• Cognitive Development

• Social Development

• Personality Development & Other Related Areas

Infancy Development (Age 0-2)

Physical Development

• Key organs fully developed: medulla & mid-brain.

• Importance: vital functions like heartbeat, sleeping, and waking.

• Almost all neurons present at birth; number decreases with age.

• Synaptic creation is rapid; synaptic pruning follows to retain efficient pathways.

Reflexes

• Startle Reflex: Arms thrown outward when startled.

• Babinski Reflex: Toes splay and curl when foot is touched.

Sensory Abilities

• Vision limited; can only focus on objects 10 inches away.

State of Consciousness

• Sleep cycle: deep sleep > light sleep > wakefulness > drowsiness, lasts about 2 hours.

• Infants sleep about 90% of the day and are awake for only 2-3 hours.

Crying

• Indicates needs, primarily hunger.

• Different cries signal different needs (e.g., anger).

Cognitive Development

Piaget's Theory

• Important Concepts:

  • Schema: Mental models of actions in similar situations.

  • Assimilation: Adding new experiences to existing schemas, potential distortions occur.

  • Accommodation: Adjusting schemas to incorporate new experiences.

  • Equalibration: Balance between new information and existing knowledge.

Sensorimotor Stage

• Infants coordinate sensory perception and motor behaviors.

• Recognition of existence outside themselves; manipulation of objects begins.

• Development of Object Permanence: Awareness that objects exist even when not visible.

Language Development

Speech Recognition

• 1 month: Recognizes phonetic distinctions (e.g., "pa" vs. "ba").

• 6 months: Discrimination between two-syllable words.

Sound Production

• 2 months: Produces laughter and cooing.

• 6 months: Starts to produce consonants.

• 12 months: Engages in babbling.

Speech Production

• 12 months: Produces simple meaningful words.

• 18 months: Combines words with gestures.

Social & Personality Development

Freud's Psychoanalytic Theory

• Oral Stage: Focus on satisfaction around the mouth; affects personality based on gratification.

Erikson's Psychosocial Theory

• Trust vs. Mistrust: Infants learn to trust based on caregiver reliability.

Attachment Theory (Bowlby & Ainsworth)

• Attachment: Affectional bond with caregiver.

• Four styles of attachment:

  • Secure: Happy to explore, upset when caregiver leaves.

  • Anxious-Avoidant: Little emotion on departure and return.

  • Anxious-Ambivalent: Distressed and angry on return.

  • Disorganized: Confused responses, lack of clarity in attachment.

Consequences of Attachment Quality

• Secure attachment: Enhanced relationships and self-esteem.

• Insecure attachment: Difficulties in friendships and increased aggression.

Early Childhood Development (Age 2-6)

Physical Development

• Height growth: 2-3 inches per year.

• Weight gain: 6 pounds per year.

• Advances in large muscle and locomotor skills.

• Rapid development of the corpus callosum; left-brain dominance affects cognitive functions.

Cognitive Development

Piaget's Preoperational Stage

• Use symbols in play; engage in egocentric thinking.

• Difficulty understanding conservation — perception affects judgment about quantity.

Language Development

Speech Development

• 18-24 months: Simple sentences of 2-3 words; developments in grammar.

• Between ages 2-6: Better understanding of language rules and automatic use of inflections.

Social & Personality Development

Freud's Theory (Stages 2 & 3)

• Anal Stage: Focus on control through toilet training.

• Phallic Stage: Focus on genital pleasure and identification with same-sex parent.

Erikson's Theory (Stages 2 & 3)

• Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt: Gain independence and autonomy.

• Initiative vs. Guilt: Children develop initiative when encouraged.

Bowlby’s Attachment Theory

• Children form strong attachments and begin understanding of relationships beyond immediate caregivers.

Parenting Styles

• Authoritarian: High demands, low warmth; leads to low self-esteem.

• Permissive: Low demands, high warmth; can lead to irresponsibility.

• Authoritative: Balanced style with high expectations; fosters self-esteem and responsibility.

• Uninvolved: Lacks emotional connection; leads to various social issues.

Relationships in Early Childhood

• Relationships through play evolve from solitary to associative and collaborative play.

Middle Childhood Development (Age 6-12)

Physical Development

• Enhancements in various motor skills; improvements in cognitive functions, especially in the frontal lobe.

Cognitive Development

Piaget's Concrete Operational Stage

• Mastery of cognitive processes including addition, multiplication, etc.

• Understanding conservation becomes apparent; inductive reasoning develops.

Literacy Development

• Formal education leads to the ability to read and write effectively; improved phonological awareness.

Social & Personality Development

• Freud - Latency Stage: Focuses on relationships with same-sex peers.

• Erikson - Industry vs. Inferiority: Develop competence through goal achievement; concern with social acceptance.

Family Relationships

• Growing independence in children while maintaining attachments; understanding family dynamics and roles.

Friendships

• Friendships based on trust and emotional support; clear segmentation by gender and play styles.

Adolescence Development

Physical Development

• Changes in weight and muscle development; onset of secondary sexual characteristics.

Cognitive Development

Piaget’s Formal Operational Stage

• Capability of abstract and hypothetical reasoning; improved problem-solving abilities.

Social & Personality Development

• Freud - Genital Stage: Re-emergence of sexual drives with focus on relationships.

• Erikson - Identity vs. Role Confusion: Development of values, beliefs, and exploration of identity.

Establishing Autonomy

• Independence from parents and the formation of intimate relationships.

Sexuality

• Factors influencing sexual activity in teenagers and societal implications.

Early Adulthood Development

Physical Changes

• Peak performance typically before age 30; begins decline thereafter.

• Health risks increase; knowledge of health behaviors often ignored.

Cognitive Development

• Transition from acquiring to applying knowledge; development of more complex reasoning.

Social & Personality Development

• Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love: Components of love: Passion, intimacy, and commitment.

Middle Adulthood Development

Physical Changes

• Changes in appearance and sensory abilities; health concerns increase.

Cognitive Development

• Crystallized intelligence increases; fluid intelligence may decline.

Social & Personality Development

• Erikson’s Generativity vs. Stagnation: Creative and meaningful pursuits and contributions to society.

Late Adulthood Development

Physical and Cognitive Changes

• Decline in brain function, memory, and sensory abilities.

• Importance of exercise for health and cognitive function.

Alzheimer's Disease

• Most common form of dementia; irreversible memory and cognitive decline.

Social & Personality Development

• Erikson - Ego Integrity vs. Despair: Reflecting on life’s achievements and experiences.

• Importance of emotional satisfaction in late adulthood.