Developmental Psychology Flashcards
What does ‘nature’ act through
sets out individual’s course via gender, genetics, temperament and maturational stages
What does ‘nurture’ act through
shapes this predetermined course via the environment, parenting, stimulation and nutrition
Define temperament
innate aspects of individual’s personality, such as introversion/extroversion.
Define reciprocal socialisation
socialisation is bidirectional, therefore children socialise parents just as parents socialise children
What is attachment
a biological instinct that seeks proximity to an attachment figure (carer) when threat is perceived or discomfort is experienced.
Why is attachment important
sense of safety the child experiences provides a secure base from which they can explore their environment thus promoting development through learning whilst being protected in the environment.
What are the 4 types of attachment
Securely-attached
• Avoidant-Insecure
• Resistant-Insecure
• Disorganised-Insecure
Describe the effect a mothers return has on a securely attached child
free exploration and happiness upon mother’s return
Describe the effect a mothers return has on a Avoidant-Insecurely attached child
little exploration and little emotional response to return
Describe the effect a mothers return has on a resistant-Insecurely attached child
little exploration, great separation anxiety, ambivalent to mother’s return
Describe the effect a mothers return has on a disorganised-Insecurely attached child
little exploration and confused response to mother
How to assess attachment?
Strange assessment
Tests how small children respond to temporary absence of their mothers (an unusual, but not frightening experience). Researchers look at two things:
• How much the child explores the room on their own
• How the child responds to the return of his mother
what 4 things does secure attachment promote?
Independence
Emotional availability
Better moods
Better emotional coping
What 2 things is secure attachment associated with
fewer behavioural problems
higher IQ and academic performance
4 stages of Piagets model of cognitive development? Age ranges for these stages?
- Sensorimotor Stage: 0-2 yrs – understand words primarily through sensory experiences and physical interactions with objects
- Preoperational Stage: 2-7 yrs – world is represented symbolically through words and mental images; no understanding of basic mental operations or rules
- Concrete Operational Stage: 7-12 yrs – children can perform basic mental operations concerning problems that involve tangible (concrete) objects and situations
Finally is the formal operational stage
Features of the sensorimotor stage of development? (3)
Object Permanence: the understanding that an object continues to exist even when it cannot be seen
Gradually increasing use of words to represent objects, needs, and actions
Learning is based on trial and error (although errors do not become assimilated!)
Features of the preoperational stage of development? (6)
Rapid language development
Understanding of the past and future
No understanding of Principle of Conservation: basic properties of objects stay the same even though their outward appearance may change
Irreversibility: cannot mentally reverse actions
Animism: attributing lifelike qualities to physical objects and natural events
Egocentrism: difficulty in viewing the world from someone else’s perspective
Features of the concrete operational stage of development? (4)
Understand the concept of reversibility
Display less egocentrism
Easily solve conservation problems
Trouble with hypothetical and abstract reasoning
Features of the formal operational stage of development?
Cognitive changes may help journey from the secure world parent(s) provided to fitting into world created by peers
Thrill seeking
Openness to new experiences
Risk taking
Social rewards are very strong
Prefer own age company
Emotionality becomes less positive through early adolescence
But level off and become more stable by late adolescence
Storms and stress more likely during adolescence than rest of the lifespan but not characteristic of all adolescents.
