Chapter 9 Discovering Psychology Notes Flashcards
- Unique combination of genes inherited from biological mother and father
- The historical era during which you grew up
- Cultural contexts
- Social contexts
- Family contexts within which you were raised
Influencing Factors Beyond Our Control Influencing Life Stories
The study of how people change psysiologically, cognitively, and socially throughout the lifespan.
Developmental Psychology
- Biological
- Environmental
- Social
- Cultural
- Behavioral
Factors Developmental Psychologists Investigate at Every Stage and Age of Life
- Attitudes
- Perceptions
- Personality Characteristics
Influence the Impact of Developmental Factors
- Longitudinal Design
- Cross-Sectional Design
Research Methods for How People Develop
Tracks a particular variable or group of variables in the same group of participants over time, sometimes for years.
Longitudinal Design
Studies a variable or group of variables among a group of participants at different ages or developmental stages.
Cross-Sectional Design
Traditionally defined by age, which implies that we experience relatively sudden, age-related changes as we move from one stage to the next.
- Most of our physical, cognitive and social changes occur gradually
- Can be abrupt
- Can be closely tied to critical periods
Stages of Lifespan
Periods during which a child is maximally sensitive to environmental influences.
Critical Periods
Although we are born with a specific genetic potential that we inherit from our biological parents, our environment influences how, when, and whether that potential is expressed. Our genetic inheritance influences the ways in which we experience and interact with the environment.
Interaction Between Herediy and Environment (Nature-Nurture)
- Zygote
- Chromosomes
- Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
- Genes
- Genotype
- Phenotype
- Epigenetics
Genetic Contributions to Development
A single cell packed with genetic instructions that you inherited from your biological parents.
Zygote
Found in the cell nucleus, contains the genetic data inherited from biological parents. Each of these is a long, thread-like stucture composed of twisted parallel strands of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
Chromosomes
Stores the inherited information that guides the development of all living organisms.
Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)
DNA segments stung up like beads along the length of a chromosome. A unit of DNA code for making a particular protein molecule.
- Make up less than 2% of human DNA
- Direct the manufacture of proteins
- Don’t directly control development, traits, or behaviors
Genes
The genetic makeup of an individual organism.
- Every cell of your body contains a complete copy of this (excluding reprodiction cells)
- Represented by each set of 23 chromosome pairs
- contains only about 20,000 to 25,000 protein-coding genes
- Used to commonly be described as a “genetic blueprint” (not accurate)
- alleles
Genotype
Different versions of genes.
- i.e.- freckles is a result of dominant genes vs. recessive genes
- Most characteristics are a result of multiple genes
Alleles
The observable traits or characteristics of an organism as determined by the interaction of genetics and environmental factors.
- Environmental factors influence these- i.e.- freckles may be inherited but require sun to actually be seen.
- Different genotypes react differently to environmental factors- i.e.- some people are more sensitive to UV rays and sunburn easily
Phenotype
The study of the cellular mechanisms that control gene expression and of the ways that gene espression impacts health and behavior.
- Dramatic differences among size, shape, and function of cells are due to which genes are expressed or activated to participate in protein production.
- Gene expression can be triggered by the activity of other genes, internal chemical changes, or by external environmental factors
- Genes can mutate from one generation to the next
Epigenetics
Conception to birth
Prenatal Stage
Birth to 2 years
Infancy to toddlerhood
2 to 6 years
Early childhood
6 to 12 years
Middle Childhood
12 to 18 years
Adolescence
18 to 25 years
Emerging Adulthood
25 to 40 years
Early Adulthood
40 to 65 years
Middle Adulthood
65 years to death
Late Adulthood
The stage of development before birth. Divided into three distinct phases:
- Germinal period
- Embryonic period
- Fetal Period
Prenatal Period
Represents the first two weeks of prenatal development.
- Zygote undergoes rapid cell division before becoming implanted on the wall of the mother’s uterus.
- Some of the zygote’s cells will eventually form the structures that house and protect the developing fetus and provide nourishment from the mother.
- At the end of this period, the single-cell zygote has developed into a cluster of cells called the embryo.
Germinal Period (Zygotic Period)
Begins with week 3 and extends through week 8.
- Rapid growth and cell differentation- organs and major systems of the body form
- Genes on the sex chromosomes and hormonal influences tigger initial development of the sex organs.
- Housed in fluid-filled embryonic sac- lifeline is the umbilical cord which provides nourishment, oxygen and water and carries away wastes and carbon dioxide
- Primitive neural cells form
- At the end of this stage, the embryo has grown from a cluster of a few hundred cells no bigger than the head of a pin to over an inch in length. (weighs about an ounce) Looks distinctly human though the head accounts for half its body size.
Embryonic Period
A disk-shaped, vascuar organ that prevents the mother’s blood from directly mingling with that of hte developing embryo.
- Acts as a filter for harmful agents in the mother’s blood
- Cannot filter out all harmful agents (teratogens)
Placenta
Harmful agents or substances that can cause malformations or defects in the embryo or fetus.
- Greatest vulnerability occurs during the embryonic stage
Teratogens
- Cocaine
- Prescription and over-the-counter drugs
- Cigarette smoke
- Alcohol
Teratogens that can damage the developing fetus at any stage
- Exposure to radiation
- Toxic chemicals and metals, such as mercury, PCBs and lead
- Viruses and bacteria, such as German Measles (rubella), syphilis, genital herpes, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Perscription painkillers and other prescription and nonprescription drugs
- Addictive drugs, including heroine, sedatives, cocaine, amphetamines, and methamphetamine
- Maternal smoking and exposure to secondhard smoke
- Alcohol
- Mother’s psychological state
Known Teratogens
Characterized by physical and mental problems. Symptoms include:
- Abnormal facial features
- Poor coordination
- Learning disabilities
- Behavior problems
- Intellectual disability
- Note: there is no safe level of drinking alcohol during pregnancy
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
- Neural tube
- Stem cells
- Ventricles
- Neurons
Prenatal Brain Development
A sheet of primitive neural cells that developed around week 3 curls to form this during the prenatal stage.
- at 4 weeks, this is the size of a grain of salt
- at 7 weeks, this is about a quarter-inch long
- Top of this tickens into three bulges that eventually form the three main regions of hte brain (hindbrain, midbrain and forebrain)
Neural Tube
Undifferentiated cells that can divide and give rise to cells that can develop into any one o the body’s different cell types.
- divide indefinitely, renew, give rise to other types of cells
- Line the neural tube
Stem Cells
Found at the core of the fully developed brain. Develops from the neural tube expanding. These are filled with cerebrospinal fluid, which cushions and provides nutrients for the brain and spinal cord.
Ventricles
New cells of this type develop during peak periods of brain development.
- Generated at a rate of 250,000 per minute.
- Glial cells- join with other developing cells of this kind and begin forming the structures of the developing nervous system.
Neurons
The third and longest period of prenatal development, extending from the ninth week until birth.
- End of 3rd month- fetus can move its arms, legs, mouth, and head. fetus becomes capable of reflexive responses
- 4th month- quickening- feeling the fetus move
- Distinct sleep-wake cycles and period of activity
- 6th month- brain is that of a newborn
- Final 2 months- fetus doubles in weight,
Fetal Period
- Newborn’s brain is about 1/4th the size of an adult brain (less than 1lb)
- Neurons grow in size and continue to develop new dendrites and interconnections with other neurons
- Myelin forms on axons in key areas of the brain
After Birth
- Reflexes, recognition, vision
- Physical development
- Social and personality development
- Language development
- Gender development
- Cognitive development
Development During Infancy and Childhood
- Rooting reflex- turning towards source of touch when cheek is touched
- Sucking reflex
- Grasping reflex- grasping fingers to pull self up
- Newborns senses are keely attuned to people (most fixated on people)
- Within just hours of birth, newborns display a preference for their mother’s voice and face from a stranger’s
- Vision is the least developed sense at birth- optimal distance is 6-12 inches (extremely nearsighted)
Reflexes, recognition, vision
- 7-8 months of age- begin crawling, vision is as clear as that of their parents
- Brain will grow from 25% of that of an adult to 75% of that of an adult, body weight will grow from 5% to 20% of that of an adult
- Cephalocaudal- “Head to tail”- physical and motor skill development tends to follow a “top to bottom” sequence. Develops control over her head, chest, and arms before developing control over the lower part of her body and legs
- Proximodistal trend- tendency of infants to develop motor control from the center of their bodies outwards.
- Each infant will have their own timetable of physical maturation and developmental readiness to master different motor skills.
Physical Development
Social and Personality Development
- Tempermental qualities
- Attachment
Inborn predispositions to consistently behave and react in a certain way.
Temperment
- Alexander Thomas and Stella Chess- study on how tempermental qualities influence adjustment throughout life. Found that about 2/3 of babies can be classified into one of three broad tempermental patterns: easy, difficult and slow-to-warm-up. The remaining third were classified as normal
- Jerome Kagan- classified temperment in terms of reactivity- high reactive and low reactive
- Individual differences have a genetic and biological basis
- Environmental experiences also modify temperment
- Cultural beliefs have an effect as well
Tempermental Qualities
- Readily adapt to new experiences
- Generally display positive moods and emotions
- Have regular sleeping and eating patterns
Easy Babies
- tend to be intensely emotional
- Irritable and fussy
- Cry a lot
- Tend to have irregular sleeping and eating patterns
Difficult Babies
- Low activity level
- Withdraw from new situations and people
- Adapt to new experiences very gradually
Slow-to-Warm-up Babies