4B periods of psychological development

Question 1

maturation refers to…

Answer 1

the biologically (genetic) programmed process of growth, which has a fixed sequence and facilitates development from conception through to adulthood.

Question 2

role of maturation

Answer 2

maturation creates the readiness which determines the onset of particular mental processes and behaviours.

Question 3

the principle of readiness

Answer 3

states that unless the necessary bodily structures and processes are properly matured, then no amount of practice will produce the particular mental process or behaviour

Question 4

critical periods

Answer 4

THE USE BY DATE, a narrow period in development during which an organism is most vulnerable to the absence of certain environmental stimuli or experience. e.g first language acquisition - babies need to be exposed to their first language in the first 3-5 years of life. if learning does not occur during this stage, it may never develop or develop atypically.

Question 5

sensitive periods

Answer 5

THE BEST BEFORE DATE, refers to a “window of opportunity” - a period of time during development when an individual is more responsive (sensitive) to certain types of environmental experiences or learning.
e.g second language acquisition- children should be exposed to a second language up to the age of 12 years, with the window gradually closing from about age seven. outside of this period, the same stimuli and experiences need to be much stronger to have the same influence. it may take longer and be more difficult but still possible