Chapter 10 Flashcards
Developmental Psychology
Study of human physical, cognitive, social and behavioural characteristics span across the lifespan
Cross-sectional design
Measures and compares samples of people at different ages at a given point in time
Less expensive and quicker
Subject to Cohort Effects->generational differences
Longitudinal Design
Follows development of same set of individuals through time
More expensive and time consuming
Subject to attrition-> dropping out
Embryonic Stage (2 weeks)
Nerve cells develop
Layer of specialized cells fold to create neural tube->brain and spinal cord
Embryonic Stage (4 weeks)
Forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain divisions observable
Embryonic Stage (7 Weeks)
Spinal cord development allows movement, strengthening and coordination of limbs
Embryonic Stage (11 Weeks)
Cerebral hemispheres, cerebellum, brain stem all developed
Embryonic Stage (7 months)
Cerebral cortex forms folds and ridges
Myelin builds up around developing nerve cells
Embryonic Stage (9 months/birth)
Brain approx 25% size and weight of adult brain
Approx 100 billion neurons (but most connections not established yet)
Fetal Brain Development
Vulnerable to harmful environmental influences
Malnutrition in Fetal Stage causes underdeveloped prefrontal cortices and other areas related to self control ->higher prob for attention deficit disorders/impaired emotional control
Teratogens->Substances that impair developmental process
-drugs,alcohol,,environmental toxins
Senses in infancy
Taste and olfactory systems developed at birth
Newborns prefer mother’s voice/familiar stories
Approx 1/40th visual acuity of adults (30cm away)
Comparable at 6 months, and at 8 months equal
Prefer to look at stimuli resembling faces
Motor development in infancy
Babies with crawl experience have depth perception and danger understanding
Reflexes: Involuntary muscular reactions to specific types of stimulation
-rooting reflex (turning to stimuli in corner of mouth)
-moro reflex (reaching out of arms, then hugging motion; grimacing)
-grasping reflex
-stepping reflex (straighten leg to anticipate pressure on sole of foot)
Central Nervous System Development
Myelination of axon occurs rapidly through infancy + childhood
Myelination of sensorimotor systems contribute to voluntary motor control
Synaptogenesis
Forming new synaptic connections
Synaptic Pruning
Loss of weak nerve cell connections
Cognitive Development
Study of changes in memory, thought, and reasoning processes that occur through lifespan
Sensitive Period
When exposure to specific types of environmental stimulation is needed for normal development of specific ability
-language acquisition, depth perception, balance, parent recognition, identifying with particular culture
Jean Piaget
Studied, tested and measured his own children
Interested in how children think and reason
Piaget’s 2 central processes:
Assimilation:Fitting new information into a belief system already possessed
Accommodation: Modifying belief structures based on new experiences
4 Stages of Cognitive Development
Sensorimotor (0-2 years)
Preoperational (2-7 years)
Concrete Operational (7-11 years)
Formal Operational (11-adulthood)
Sensorimotor Stage
Thoughts bases on immediate sensory and motor exploration
Object permanence: Objects exist even when not perceived