Childhood

Question 1

What is the most obvious form of development visible in babies? How does development in general progress?

Answer 1

Development is orderly and blueprinted. Motor development is most obvious

Question 2

What are the two basic (weird sounding) principles of physical development?

Answer 2

1. Cephalocaudal trend ->development from head to foot. Brain is more developed than legs, for instance
2. Proximodistal trend -> centre/core towards extremities spine first, finally fingers/toes. Simple movements->complex ones

Question 3

What effects do (1) Synaptic pruning and (2) emotional trauma/neglect have on babies?

Answer 3

(1) . babies start out with way more neurons than us, these are cut down and specialized
(2) . Can stunt growth by inhibiting hormonal production

Question 4

When do babies learn to walk? How do they learn so quickly?

Answer 4

At around 1 year. They get short bursts of 17 falls and 2300 steps PER HOUR during play time

Question 5

How do children grow? What are some signs of this?

Answer 5

In spurts after long periods of time. Irritability, more sleep/food

Question 6

Define maturation

Answer 6

Gradual unveiling of biological blueprint through development and AGE not experience

Question 7

Should parents worry if their child doesn’t readily reach developmental milestones?

Answer 7

No. Milestones are calculated on average, so natural

Question 8

What are some cultural variations within motor development?

Answer 8

Kipsigis (Kenya): speed it up through training/exercises

Ache (Paraguay): jungle dangerous so carry kids and slow down development (walk a year later)

Question 9

How might bilingualism effect cognitive development?

Answer 9

Slower initial processing time because you’re learning two languages, but benefits later on

Question 10

Explain the difference between early and later motor development?

Answer 10

Early: pretty unstoppable (within first year), just development
Later: as seen with cultures, much more succesptible to environmental influence

Question 11

What is temperament? What is it a precursor to?

Answer 11

Emotional activity/reactivity and mood. Precursor to adult personality

Question 12

Explain the difference between longitudinal and cross-section studies. What are the perks/flaws of each?

Answer 12

Long: looking at a single group over time (like boyhood)

• pros: more sensitive to developmental changes
• cons: people drop out, costly

Cross: looking at a few groups at once who represent different stages of development

• pros: cheaper, easier
• cons: more prone to historical bias

Question 13

What did Thomas and Chess establish as the age where temperament is firmly established? Can it change?

Answer 13

Three months old. Good forecast for age 10. Can change, though mostly hereditary

Question 14

What are the three (four) temperament styles and what percentages of the population do they occupy?

Answer 14

1. Easy children: 40%
2. Slow warm up: 15%
3. Difficult: 10%
4. Mix: 45%

Question 15

What are difficult children more likely to develop?

Answer 15

Emotional problems

Question 16

Define attachment, when does it develop?

Answer 16

Close emotional bond between babies and primary caregiver. Not immediately, instead solidifies after 6-8 months

Question 17

What is separation anxiety and when does it peak?

Answer 17

emotional distress caused by separation with caregivers, 14-18 months and then declines

Question 18

What was thought to be the initial cause of attachment? what disproved this?

Answer 18

Association with feeding/mothers. Monkey experiment (one with fur and one w/o, both feeding) proved this wrong because baby monkeys fled to fur mom when frightened

Question 19

What is an actual biological basis for attachment theory? How does this relate to reproductive fitness?

Answer 19

Babies coo and babble (are cute) which is intended to elicit feelings of kinship and protection in mothers. Successfully raising your kids is the only way to ensure your genes are passed on

Question 20

Explain the set up of strange situation procedure. Who did it and what does it measure?

Answer 20

Ainsworth. Baby plays with mom, stranger enters room, mom leaves and then comes back. Measures quality of attachment

Question 21

What are Ainsworth’s four attachment types?

Answer 21

1. Secure attachment: 65%. Comfortable, distressed, comfy again
2. Anxious-Ambivalent attachment: 10%. Anxious, distressed, not comfy
3. Avoidant: 20% Seeks little contact, not distressed
4. disorganized-disoriented: especially insecure. confused about when to approach mother

Question 22

What is attachment Quality influenced by? What can it impact later on?

Answer 22

1. Maternal sensitivity and child reactions (interplay)

2. Relationships, self esteem, gender identity

Question 23

How does day care impact attachment?

Answer 23

It doesn’t really. Bonding more about QUALITY over quantity. However, difficult temperament kids may suffer in terms of attachment from it

Question 24

What is the cultural take on attachment?

Answer 24

Pretty universal. More avoidant-attachments in Germany? secure most prevalent world wide