Developmental Psych Flashcards
What are the domains of development
PHYSICAL - biological changes COGNITIVE - thinking - language ability and use - memory SOCIOEMOTIONAL - emotions - interpersonal relationships
What are the three lifespan perspectives?
Brofenbrenner - ecological systems model Baltes - normative and non-normative development Ford and Lerner - dynamic systems perspective
Explain bronfenbrenners ecological system (MMEM)
MICROSYSTEM - face to face interactions MESOSYSTEM - connections between microsystems EXOSYSTEM - indirect influences MACROSYSTEM - general aspects of society
Baltes model of normative and non-normative development
picture in wk 1 folder
Ford and Lerners System perspective
- The developmental systems perspective
• Development occurs through transaction with the environment
• Dynamic system where multiple elements interact to shape an individual’s life
• System modifies and evolves in response to changes in biology and/or environment
METHODS IN DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY: EXPLAIN CROSS SECTIONAL STUDIES
Compare different people of different ages or age groups at one point in time
• Useful in describing age-related trends
• Convenient, timely, short time-frame, less costly than longitudinal studies
• May not show real developmental changes within individuals
• Susceptible to cohort effects
Explain longitudinal studies
- compare sample people over time
- tests or observations at several different times over the course of the research
- can be expensive and time- consuming
- selective attrition
- some susceptibility to cohort changes - but reveal more developmental changes than cross-sectional studies
Explain sequential studies
- combination of cross-sectional and longitudinal designs
- at least 2 cohorts followed over time
- within and between - cohort comparisons are made
- measure actual developmental change AND allow for historical differences b/w cohorts
What is a theory?
- A set of orderly statements to describe, explain and predict behaviour in various domains • Qualities of a good theory: • Internally consistent • Provide meaningful explanations • Open to scientific evaluation • Stimulate new thinking and research • Provide guidance
what are three main classes of theories in dev. psych (PBC)
- Psychoanalytic/psychodynamic
- Behavioural/Social Cognitive
- Cognitive-developmental (focus on children)
Explain psychoanalytic theory (Freud)
- Behaviour energised by psychodynamic forces
- 3 components of personality: id, ego and superego
- stages of psychosexual development
• - So: (1) early events can shape later development and (2) not all thought processes are conscious
Explain psychoanalytic theory (Erikson)
People are born with basic drives but emphasis on social & cultural aspects of development
• Development from interaction of ‘internal maturational plan’ and ‘external societal demands’
• Qualitative stages where we face potential conflicts or crises, eg basic trust versus mistrust
Explain Behavioural/Social Cognitive Theories (Skinner)
Operant conditioning Reinforcement strengthens response ( + or - ) Punishment weakens response (+ or -) Extinction - response dissaperars Shaping - learning new behaviours
Explain Behavioural/Social (Albert Bandura)
Observational learning
• Imitation
• Modelling
Explain cognitive-developmental (Piaget)
Influential in his conclusions and in his methods
• Children go through same sequential discoveries, come to similar conclusions and do so in similar ways.
• Four major stages and process of transition between stages involves assimilation and accommodation
Explain piagets four stages
- sensorimotor (0-2yrs)
- preoperational (2-7yrs)
- concrete operational (7-11yrs)
formal operational (11-adulthood) - screenshot in wk 1 folder
Piagets concepts
Direct learning: scheme development
• Assimilation: use existing scheme
• Accommodation: change existing scheme • Adaptation: process of development
• Social transmission: influence through observation of others
• Physical maturation: biologically determined changes
Explain the information-processing theory:
Sensory register – the first memory store where initial information from the environment held
• Short-term (working) memory
• Limited capacity, limited time store
• Rehearsal can keep material in STM
• Long-term memory (unlimited store)
• Recognition, recall, reconstruction, organisation, elaboration, metacognition
what are the genetic foundations of development
human life begins as single cell
zygote: a new cell formed when sperm penetrates the egg
Gametes divide and recombine @ conception
What does the nucleus of each cell contain
Chromosomes: thread-like structures made up of DNA
DNA: a complex double helix molecule that contains genetic info
Genes: short segments of DNA
What is mitosis, meiosis, and fertilisation
Mitosis: reproduction of cells
Meiosis: a cell division that forms sperm and ova (gametes)
Fertilisation: fusing of sperm and ovum to create a zygote
Combining genes of both parents increases genetic variability
What is a genotype and phenotype
Genotype: what we inherit
Phenotype: how this is exhibited (interaction between genetics and environmental context)
What is dominant and recessive genes?
Dominant: expressed in the phenotype
Recessive: only expressed if appears in conjuction with another recessive gene; if with a dominant gene, its influence will usually be controlled
WHAT is alleles, homozygous, hetereozygous, co-dominance and polygenic traits
Alleles: alternate genetic forms
• Homozygous: alleles for a trait are identical
• Heterozygous: alleles for a trait are different (eye colour)
• Co-dominance: both alleles expressed
(Example of blood group)
• Polygenic traits: many genes and environment
