Introduction Flashcards
Late adulthood
The developmental period that lasts from approximately 60 or 70 years of age until death. A period of adjustment to decreeing strength and health and to retirement and reduced income.
Interventionist View
States that adolescence is a sociohistorical creation. - Particularly relevant in this view are the sociocultural circumstances at the beginning of the 20th century. - Legislation was enacted that made youth more dependable and the move into the economic sphere more manageable. - Decrease in apprenticeships. - Task specialisation. - Mechanisation. - The Industrial Revolution and the Division of Labour. - The separation of work and home and the age grading of schools. - The bi-product of a move to compulsory secondary education. - The Interventionist “Age of Adolescence” between the 1890’s and the 1920’s. The legislation of Youth: - The move of youth out of employment and into schooling to hear them up for the economic system. - A system to transmit youth intellectual skills.
Nature Vs Nurture:
Does development occur as result of our biology (our genetics) or the environment? Consider someone who is aggressive - is it a result of genetics or the environment in which the person lives? It seems that both nature and nurture influence our development but to different degrees. Biology will influence when a person begins puberty, the environment might influence how they think and feel about the changes. - Where does the balance lie?
Resilience:
Resilience refers to adapting positively and achieving successful outcomes in the face of significant and adverse outcomes.
Development
Is the pattern of change that begins at conception and continues through the life span. Most development involves growth, although it also includes decay as in death and dying.
What was the view of Adolescence in the Middle Ages?
Adolescents were viewed as miniature adults that were subject to harsh discipline.
Prenatal period
Is the time from conception to birth - approximately 9 months. It is a time of tremendous growth - from a single cell to an organism complete with Brain and Behavioural capabilities.
Hypothesis
Is a specific assertion and prediction that can be tested.
Early adulthood
Usually begins in the late teens or early twenties. Lasts through the 30’s. Personal and economic independence is established, career development intensifies.
Continuity Vs. Discontinuity:
The extent to which our development involves gradual, culminative change (Continuity) compared to distinct stages (discontinuity). Some researchers argue that development is a gradual process such as the months of learning that takes place before a child speaks his first words. Others argue that we develop in distinct stages, and that some developmental changes are quiet rapid.
Gender Bias
A preconceived notion about the abilities of females and males that prevents individuals from pursuing their own interests and achieving their potential.
Infancy
Is the development period that extends from birth to 18 or 24 months of age. Infancy is a time of extreme dependency on adults. Many psychological activities - for example, language, symbolic thought, sensorimotor coordination, social learning, and parent relationships - begin in this period.
Millennials
The generation born after 1980. - The first to come of age and enter adulthood in the new millennium - Ethnic diversity. - Connection to technology. - Confident, self expressive, liberal, up-beat, and open to change. - There are both positives and negatives to the technological revolution. - Information retrieval rather than information formation. - The lack of reading and literacy etc. - Retention of historical and other facts. - However no evidence to suggest that there is a decrease in IQ or thinking, or cognitive function. - Though what about the culture issue? - Concerns have been raised about this cohorts focus on shortsighted thinking and quick solutions to life problems.
What was Aristotle’s view on Adolescence?
The most important aspect of adolescence is the ability to choose, and that self determination is a hallmark of maturity. - Aristotle also recognised adolescents egocentrism - “They think they know everything and are quite sure about it”.
Middle adulthood
Begins approximately 35 to 45 years of age. Ends at some point between 55 and 65 years. A period of transmitting values to the next generation, deeper reflection about the meaning of life, enhanced concern about the decline in physical functioning.
Descriptive Research
Aims to observe and record behaviour.
No causational conclusions.
Cohort Effects
Refers to influences attributed to a persons year of birth, era, or generation, but not to actual chronological age.
Stereotype
Is a generalisation that reflects our impressions and beliefs about a broad category of people. All stereotypes carry an image of what the typical member of a specific group is like.
Ethnic Gloss
Is using an ethnic label such as African American or Latino in a superficial way that portrays an ethnic group as being more homogeneous than it really is.
Frueds Psychosexual Stages
Developmental Transitions
Eriksons Psychosocial Theory
Eight stages of development unfold as we go through life. At each stage, a unique developmental task confronts individuals with a crisis that must be resolved. A turning point, marked by increased vulnerability and enhanced potential. Trust Vs. Mistrust:
Erikson’s first psychological stage, which is experienced in the first year of life. Trust in infancy sets the stage fir a lifelong expectation that the world will be good and pleasant place to live in.
Autonomy Vs. Shame and Doubt.
Second stage. occurring in late infancy and toddlerhood. After gaining trust infants begin to discover that their behaviour is their own, and they start to assert their independence.
Initiative Vs. Guilt.
Third stage. Occurs during the preschool years. As preschool children encounter a widening social world, they face a new challenge and require active, purposeful, responsible behaviour. Feelings of guilt may arise, though, if the child is irresponsible and is made to feel too anxious.
Industry Vs. Inferiority.
Fourth Stage. Occurring approximately in elementary school years. Children now need to direct their energy toward mastering knowledge and intellectual skills. The negative outcome is that the child can develop a sense of inferiority - feeling incompetent and unproductive.
Identity Vs. Confusion.
Occurs in adolescence, The individual begins to explore who they are and what their purpose in life is. They receive a positive identity, if not a identity confusion reigns.
Intimacy Vs. Isolation.
Early adulthood. The sixth stage. The developmental task of forming intimate relationships. Intimacy will be achieved, or else isolation.
Generatively Vs. Stagnation.
Seventh Stage. Occurs in middle adulthood. The concern and developmental challenge of helping the younger generation develop and lead useful lives.
Integrity Vs. Despair.
Eight Stage. Late adulthood. During this stage, a person reflects on the past. If it has been a life well spent, the person will experience integrity, if not, retrospection will yield doubt or gloom, despair.
Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Theory
