Developmental Psychology

Question 1

Summarise nature vs nurture

Answer 1

Nature - sets out their course via gender, genetics, temperament and maturational stages
Nurture - shapes this predetermined course via the environment; parenting, stimulation and nutrition

Question 2

Define temperament

Answer 2

innate aspects of individual’s personality, such as introversion/extroversion

Question 3

Define reciprocal socialisation

Answer 3

socialisation is bidirectional therefore children socialise parents just as parents socialise children

Question 4

What are the ways in which parents give babies the resources to thrive and develop

Answer 4

scaffolding
reciprocal socialisation
provision of a stimulating
enriching environment (both physiologically and psychologically)

Question 5

Describe the Assessment of Attachment (Strange Situation Test - Ainsworth)

Answer 5

It tests how babies or young children respond to the temporary absence of their mothers

Question 6

What are researchers interested in in the assessment of attachment

Answer 6

How much the child explores the room on its own

How the child responds to the return of his mother

Question 7

What is attachment

Answer 7

a theory which describes a biological instinct that seeks proximity to an attachment figure (carer) when threat is perceived or discomfort is experienced.

Question 8

What re the two types of attachment and what proportions do they make up

Answer 8

Secure Attachments – free exploration and happiness on mother’s return (65%)
Insecure Attachments – little exploration and little emotional response to mother (35%)

Question 9

Describe the protective element of secure attachment

Answer 9

Secure attachments formed in early infancy are a protective factor leading to resilience throughout the life span

Question 10

Describe the protective element of insecure attachment

Answer 10

Insecure attachments place the individual at risk but are not causative for later problems.

Question 11

What are the stages of Piaget’s model of cognitive development

Answer 11

Sensorimotor Stage (infants – 2 yrs)
Preoperational Stage (2-7 yrs)
Concrete Operational Stage (7-12 yrs)

Question 12

Describe the sensorimotor stage in Piaget’s model of cognitive development

Answer 12

Infants understand the world primarily through sensory experiences and physical (motor) interactions with objects
Object permanence and separation anxiety develops

Question 13

Describe the preoperational stage in Piaget’s model of cognitive development

Answer 13

World is represented symbolically through words and mental images
no understanding of basic mental operations or rules
Ability to pretend
Egocentrism

Question 14

Describe the concrete operational stage in Piaget’s model of cognitive development

Answer 14

Children can perform basic mental operations concerning problems that involve tangible (concrete) objects and situations
Less egocentrism