CHAPTER 1: STUDY OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT Flashcards
Human Development
Scientific study of processes of change and stability throughout the human life span
The main task of developmental psychologists
Look at ways in which people change from conception through maturity as well as at characteristics that remain fairly stable
Life span development
From “womb to tomb” comprising the entire lifespan from conception to death
Goals of developmental psychology
DEPI
Description (Describe)
Explanation (Explain)
Prediction (Predict)
Intervention (Intervene)
3 Domains of Development
Physical, Cognitive, Psychosocial
8 Periods of Lifespan
- Prenatal (conception - birth)
- Infancy & Toddlerhood (birth - 3)
- Early Childhood (3 - 6)
- Middle Childhood (6 - 11)
- Adolescence (11 - 20)
- Emerging Adulthood / Young Adulthood (20 -40)
- Middle Adulthood (40 - 65)
- Late Adulthood (over 65)
Influences on Development
- Nature
- Heredity
- Maturity - Nurture
- SocioHistorical Context
- Critical / Sensitive Periods
Nature
Internal influences on development such as heredity and biological processes
Heredity
Inborn traits and characteristics inherited from a child’s biological parents
Genetic roll of dice
The random nature of genetic inheritance
Nurture
Influences outside the body; the environment
The environment during prenatal period
Womb
Maturation
The unfolding of a natural sequence of physical and behavioral changes
Deviation from norms of occurences
Delayed or advanced
Social contexts that influence development
- Family
- Socioeconomic Status (SES)
- Culture and Race / Ethnicity
Nuclear family
Two-generational kinship, economic and household unit consisting of one or two parents and their children
Influences of the changes in the traditional nuclear family
- Urbanization
- Divorce
- Diversity
Extended family
Multigenerational network of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and other distant relatives
From what culture is extended family structure common?
- Asia
- Africa
- Latin America
Socioeconomic Status (SES)
Combination of economic and social factors describing an individual or family, including income, education, and occupation
He identified the principles of lifespan developmental approach
Paul B. Baltes
The Principles of Life-Span Developmental Approach
- Development is lifelong.
- Development is multidimensional.
- Development is multidirectional.
- Relative influences of biology and culture shift over the lifespan.
- Development involves changing resource allocations.
- Development shows plasticity.
- Development is influenced by the historical and cultural context.
Each period of lifespan is affected by what happened before and will affect what is to come. No period is more or less important than any other.
Development is lifelong.
Development occurs along multiple _____; biological, psychological, and social; each of which may develop at varying rates.
Development is multidimensional
Blank: dimensions
As people gain in one area, they may lose in another, sometimes they gain and lose at the same time.
Development is multidirectional
Biological abilities such as sensory acuity and muscular strength and coordination weaken with age. But cultural supports such as education and relationships may help compensate.
Relative influences of biology and culture shift over the lifespan.
The three resources function of development (principles)
- Growth
- Maintenance
- Dealing with loss
Many abilities, such as memory, endurance, strength can be improved significantly with training and practice, even late in life.
Development shows plasticity.
