Developmental Contexts Flashcards
What are teratogens?
Environmental agents that cause damage during prenatal period.
What are some examples of teratogens?
Drugs - thalidomide, caffeine etc
Other addictive substances - tobacco, alcohol etc
Environmental pollutants - lead, radiation etc
Infectious diseases - HIV/AIDs, rubella
What are some factors that determine how dangerous teratogen exposure during pregnancy is?
The type of drug taken.
How long they were exposed.
The amount of exposure.
The gestational age of the foetus.
Hereditary factors (may increase the risk)
How does nutrition affect prenatal conditions?
Prenatal malnutrition leads to lower brain weight, distorted structure of major organs, respiratory illnesses, lower intelligence and irritability.
How can nutrition be improved?
Vitamin-mineral enrichment
How does stress affect prenatal conditions?
Intense anxiety leads to higher rates of miscarriage, lower birth weight, respiratory and digestive illnesses, irritability and higher anxiety when faced with challenging experiences.
How can stress be reduced?
Social support
How does maternal age affect prenatal conditions?
Delayed childbearing is associated with a higher risk of miscarriage and chromosomal defects.
What are Baumrind’s parenting styles?
Permissive
Authoritative
Authoritarian
Neglectful
What are the outcomes of a permissive parenting style?
Child - impulsive & disobedient
Adolescent - defiant & antisocial
What are the outcomes of an authoritative parenting style?
Child - upbeat mood & high self-esteem
Adolescent - academic achievement & social maturity
What are the outcomes of an authoritarian parenting style?
Child - anxious, withdrawn & defiant
Adolescent - less well-adjusted than age mates
What are the outcomes of a neglectful parenting style?
Child - deficits in attachment & cognition
Adolescent - poor academic achievement & depression
What are the likely outcomes of a higher SES?
Engagement in alcohol & drug use
Higher levels of anxiety & depression
What are the likely outcomes of a lower SES?
Poor mental & physical health
Deficits in cognitive development & academic achievement
Antisocial behaviour
What are Brofenbrenner’s bioecological systems?
Individual
Microsystem - direct contact
Exosystem - indirect contact
Macrosystem - societal
Chronosystem - time
What are the influences from exosystems?
SES - parents’ employment
Parent’s wellbeing - social & emotional support for parents
Social stability
Current economical & social climate
What are the influences from macrosystems?
Culture values & attitudes of communities - child rearing practices & interactions between different subcultures
Impact of mass media - television promotes hostility & aggression
