Development and Learning Study Notes
Development and Learning
I. Life Journey of Development and Learning
Life is described as a journey from womb to tomb, emphasizing the developmental process across the lifespan.
Key Stages of Development:
Infancy: Seeking comfort and nourishment from caregivers.
Childhood: Engagement in social play, preparing for future roles and responsibilities.
Teenage Years: Emotional experiences (smiling, crying, love, loathing) as independence approaches.
Adulthood: Continuous learning from everyday interactions and experiences.
II. Module Overview: Themes and Methods in Developmental Psychology (3.1)
Learning Targets: 3.1-1
Explain three key themes in developmental psychology and two methods used to study human development over time:
Nature and Nurture:
Focuses on the interaction between genetic inheritance and environmental influences on development.
Example: Traits like hearing patterns passed down through generations (e.g., hearing loss, extraversion).
Influence of family, culture and moral systems on upbringing, behavior, and development through critical thinking.
Continuity and Stages:
Investigates whether development is gradual (like an escalator) or occurs in distinct stages (like a ladder).
Theories by psychologists like Piaget (cognitive development), Erikson (psychosocial development).
Stability and Change:
Examines which traits persist over time and which ones change with age.
Example: Personality traits like introversion or extroversion can remain stable, while social views may evolve.
Research Methods:
Cross-Sectional Studies: Compare subjects of different ages to understand developmental differences.
Longitudinal Studies: Follow the same subjects over time to observe changes and continuity in development.
III. Developmental Psychology’s Major Themes
3.1-1 major themes:
Nature vs. Nurture
Genetic factors and environmental influences shape development.
Differences in behavior based on genetics; yet shared biology across cultures.
Cultural similarities: communication styles towards infants.
Continuity vs. Stages
Continuous growth versus stage-like progression in development corresponding to events in life (e.g., walking before running).
Piaget’s stages of cognitive development, Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development are utilized to determine development at various life stages.
Stability vs. Change
Focusing on which psychological traits remain stable (e.g., temperament) versus those that change (e.g., interests as individuals mature).
Research findings on temperament consistency over decades.
IV. Physical Development Across Lifespan
A. Prenatal Development, Infancy, and Childhood (3.2a)
Overview of Prenatal Development:
From conception involving gene contributions from mother and father, leading to early development stages through cell division and organ formation.
Stages:
Germinal Stage:
Zygote attaches to the uterine wall around 10 days post-conception.
Embryonic Stage:
Organ formation begins, notable developments at 9 weeks as the embryo becomes a fetus.
Effects of Teratogens:
Teratogens are harmful substances that can impact fetal development (e.g., alcohol, nicotine).
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Effects include physical and cognitive function deficits.
B. Competence of Newborns:
Newborns exhibit automatic reflexes aiding survival (grasping reflex, rooting reflex).
Exploration of infant abilities through methodologies assessing reflexes and engagement.
Recognizing mother's scent shortly after birth and preference towards human voices.
V. Brain and Motor Skills Development
3.2-3 Brain and Motor Skills:
Developmental milestones typically unfold in a sequence, such as crawling before walking.
The role of maturation shaping development; experiences enhance and adjust developmental trajectories.
Brain Growth: Rapid nerve cell development and pruning in early childhood adapting to experiences and environmental stimuli.
Influential Factors:
Environmental Stimulation: Its impact on neural connectivity and cognitive development exemplified through enriched vs. deprived environments (e.g., animal studies).
Experiences influence skill acquisition and a child's ability to adapt, including critical periods for language learning leading to self-regulation and fine motor skills development.
VI. Adolescence and Adulthood Physical Changes (3.2b)
Physical Development in Adolescence:
Marked by puberty, hormone surges prompting sexual development and increased independence.
Challenges of early maturation noted in social and emotional context stressing expectations and behaviors.
Physical Changes in Adulthood:
Decline in physical abilities from mid-twenties onward, encompassing flexibility, muscular strength, and fertility.
Changes in physical relationships and effects of aging highlighted through remarks on life expectancy increases and psychological health support.
VII. Gender and Sexual Orientation
A. Gender Development (3.3a)
Definition:
Sex: Biologically influenced characteristics defining male, female, and intersex.
Gender: Attitudes and behaviors culturally associated with an individual’s biological sex.
Key Components:
Differences between males and females in aggression, social power, and connectedness.
Aggression: Predominantly male physical aggression; females displaying relational forms (social ostracism).
Social Power: Gender biases exhibited in workplace perceptions; influences on behaviors and interactions.
B. The Biology and Psychology of Sex (3.3b)
Hormonal Influence:
Hormones affecting sexual motivation (testosterone and estrogen role). Impacts of hormonal fluctuation in both men and women noted.
External Stimuli:
Psychological and cultural norms influencing sexual arousal and behaviors, revealing connections with relationship satisfaction and societal expectations.
C. Sexual Orientation (3.3c)
Insights into Sexual Orientation:
Sexual Orientation: Reflected through emotional and sexual attractions which can exist on a spectrum (heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, asexual).
Research highlights about biological links to orientation, such as genetic predispositions, attraction patterns, and prenatal hormone exposure.
Key Points:
Understanding sexual orientation issues tied to both societal acceptance and biological influences.
Importance of recognizing the nuances of sexual preference and orientation across different cultural contexts.