KJ

Chapter_9_Development_STUDENT

Chapter 9: Development Across the Lifespan

Overview of Developmental Psychology

  • Definition: The study of patterns of growth and change occurring throughout life.

    • Focuses on:

      • Physical development

      • Cognitive development

      • Moral development

      • Social development

Life Span Conception

  • Stages of Development:

    • Infancy

    • Childhood

    • Adolescence

    • Adulthood

    • Aging

Influences on Development

  • Biological Influences:

    • Shared human genome

    • Gene-environment interactions

    • Neurological effects from early experiences

    • Prenatal environment

  • Psychological Influences:

    • Individual genetic variations

    • Beliefs, feelings, and expectations

  • Social-Cultural Influences:

    • Parental influences

    • Peer influences

    • Cultural individualism vs. collectivism

    • Cultural gender norms

Major Issues in Developmental Psychology

  1. Nature/Nurture: How do genetic inheritance and environmental influences affect development?

  2. Continuity/Stages: Is development continuous or does it occur in stages?

  3. Stability/Change: Do personality traits persist or change over time?

Measurement of Development

  • Research Designs:

    • Cross-sectional: Different people in each group.

    • Longitudinal: Same people tested multiple times.

Genetics Basics

  • DNA: Contains genetic material of organisms.

  • Genes: Sections of DNA that influence traits.

    • Dominant Genes: Actively control expression of a trait.

    • Recessive Genes: Influence expression only when paired with another recessive gene.

Punnett Square Examples

  • Visual tool to predict genetic outcomes.

Prenatal Development

  • Stages of Development:

    • Zygote to Embryo: Rapid cell division and implantation in uterus.

    • Embryonic Stage: Major organs and systems develop.

    • Fetal Stage: Further growth and functional organ development.

  • Teratogens: Drugs and chemicals harmful to the developing fetus during critical periods.

  • Other Factors:

    • Nutrition and emotional state of the mother impact fetal development.

Infant Reflexes and Development

  • Instinctive reflexes help infants survive.

Motor Development in Infancy

  • Development stages include:

    • Raising head and chest (2-4 months)

    • Rolling over (2-5 months)

    • Sitting up (4-7 months)

    • Crawling (7-8 months)

    • Walking (8-18 months)

Cognitive Development

  • Jean Piaget:

    • Key figure in cognitive development studies.

    • Stages of development are:

      • Sensorimotor (0-2 yrs): Object permanence understanding.

      • Preoperational (2-7 yrs): Egocentric thinking.

      • Concrete Operational (7-11 yrs): Logical operations without abstract reasoning.

      • Formal Operational (12+ yrs): Abstract reasoning abilities.

Vygotsky’s Theory

  • Emphasizes social interaction and the role of culture in learning.

  • Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD): Difference between what a child can do alone and what they can do with help.

Language Development Stages

  1. Cooing (2-3 months)

  2. Babbling (6 months)

  3. One-Word Stage (1 year)

  4. Telegraphic Speech (1.5 years)

  5. Sentences (by 6 years)

Social and Emotional Development

  • Attachment: Emotional bond between infant and caregiver.

    • Types of attachment:

      • Secure

      • Avoidant

      • Ambivalent

      • Disorganized

Erikson’s Psychosocial Development Stages

  • Each stage presents a crisis to be resolved:

    • Trust vs. Mistrust (0-1.5 yrs)

    • Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt (1.5-3 yrs)

    • Initiative vs. Guilt (3-6 yrs)

    • Industry vs. Inferiority (6-11 yrs)

    • Identity vs. Role Confusion (Adolescence)

    • Intimacy vs. Isolation (Young Adulthood)

    • Generativity vs. Stagnation (Middle Adulthood)

    • Integrity vs. Despair (Later Adulthood)

Parenting Styles

  • Authoritarian: Controlling with strict limits. Effects include anxiety and low self-esteem.

  • Neglectful: Lack of involvement. Effects include poor social skills.

  • Indulgent: No limits. Effects include selfishness.

  • Authoritative: Clear limits with love and support. Effects include independence and self-reliance.

Aging

  • Begins in early adulthood and continues until death.

  • Physical changes:

    • Menopause and Andropause contributing to health issues.

Stages of Death and Dying

  • Five stages:

    • Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance

Healthy Aging

  • Promoting successful aging includes social interactions, independence, and positive attitudes toward aging.