Developmental Flashcards
What are the five domains of development?
Physical and motor Social Cognitive Emotional Memory
What are the three characteristics of developmental change?
Orderly, communicative and directional
What are the three goals of developmental psych
To identify, explain and apply
What are the three big issues surrounding psychology?
- Nature vs. Nurture
- Early vs. Later Experience (critical vs. sensitive periods)
- Continuity vs. Discontinuity
What are the advantages and disadvantages longitudinal study
Studying the same group of people as they develop over time.
Ad: make strong conclusions about age-related changes
Dis: time consuming, high attrition, generational differences
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a cross-sectional study?
Studying different age groups
Ad: cheaper, limited attrition
Dis: only draw weak conclusions about age-related differences, cohort effects.
Describe the experiment conducted by Olivier Pascalis and what he was examining
Pascalis was testing perception narrowing. He found that only 6 month olds were able to distinguish faces. He then gave half of the 6 mo a picture book with monkey faces. He tested them again at 9 mo and found that the babies that has exposure to monkey faces were able to distinguish between them.
Define: synaptic pruning
In the absence of experience, synapses responsible for certain functions are pruned. Perception narrowing is an experience driven process.
Define: behaviour genetics
Understanding how genes and the environment interact to form varied individuals.
What is the relatedness of monozygotic and fraternal twins?
MZ - 1
DZ - 0.5
Why may there be discrepancies between the heritability of a gene and its expression?
Environmental factors (such as poor nutrition) can impact the expression of genes.
Describe the Dunedin Multi-displinary study
1,000 participants followed from age three and tested every 5-10 years for 40 years. 97% of participants have been retained.
Describe the relationship between the MAOA gene, childhood and conduct disorder
Individuals that have the MAOA gene are only more likely to express conduct disorders when exposed to severe childhood mistreatment.
What in the function of the MAOA gene?
MAOA metabolises neurotransmitters in the brain. Decreased activity is associated with aggression.
Describe the relationship between FADS2 gene, breastfeeding and IQ
Breastfeeding (containing omega 3) is only advantageous in increasing IQ when the the c allele is carried in the FADS2 gene (93% of cases).
What is the function on the FADS2 gene?
FADS2 is involved in fatty acid metabolism which is used to increase myelination.
Summarise the Germinal Period
Week 1-2 (conception to implantation)
Zygote travels to uterus, dividing into blastocyst (16-64 cells). Because there are a small number of cells, any errors will result in a failed pregnancy.
Summarise the Embryonic Period
Week 3-8: formation of major organs (organogenesis) and facial features. Starts with blastocyst implanting on uterine wall.
Layers of cells differentiate: outer layer is nervous system, skin and hair. Inner layer is all organs.
Brain starts forming at Week 3. Neural plate closes to form the brain. If plate doesn’t close at top, anencephaly develops. If it doesn’t close at the bottom, spina bifida forms.
Head is half volume of foetus.
Heart begins beating a week 4.
Summarise the Foetal Period
Week 9 - birth. Organ systems begin to function and organisms grows. Period of rapid growth in month 4, then refinement of organs. Foetus is more responsive and rhythms to baby’s behaviour.
Week 12 - sexual differentiation
Week 18 - foetus being practicing breathing
6 months - foetus responds to light. Can hear sounds as mother’s womb is very loud (75db)
Foetus is viable at 22-28 weeks. Limit of viability is at 24 weeks.
30-32 weeks, lung develops surfactant to keep alveolus open.
Define: teratogen and give example
Any factor that can harm a developing embryo/foetus. The impact of the teratogen depends on timing (dysmorphology will likely occur in embryonic stage), dose and duration. Teratogens in the foetal stage will result in brain defects.
Excessive drinking leads to FAS, which causes microcephaly, cognitive delays, malformations of the face. Brains are less complex.
What is the final system to develop after birth?
Vision
Define: critical period
Time during development in which certain experiences are crucial for development
Define: sensitive period
Time during develop in which certain experiences are optimal for development.
What are the three ways vision is tested in babies?
- Visual scanning and fixation patterns: babies tend to initially focus on the vertex of the face. At two months, they focus on the middle
- Habitation: looking at time spend looking at different faces
- Visual preferences: babies like looking at red, patterns and complexity.
