Introduction

Question 1

What is the ‘1001 critical days’?

Answer 1

Refers to the period between conception and 2 years of age that is crucial for healthy brain development as structural changes during this period can have life-long ramifications

Question 2

What causes change in brain weight between birth and 1 year?

Answer 2

Changes from 400g at birth to 1000g at 1 year due to myelination and synaptogenesis

Question 3

How do attachment and bonding differ?

Answer 3

Attachment refers to the baby’s emotional bond to the caregiver (influenced by parent-infant interaction) whereas bonding refers to the caregiver’s emotional relationship with the baby

Question 4

What are the 4 attachment types?

Answer 4

Secure
Insecure avoidant
Insecure ambivalent (/resistant)
Disorganised

Question 5

What characterises insecure avoidant attachment?

Answer 5

Disengaged, dismissive parenting leading to an emotionally distant and non-explorative infant that subconsciously believes their needs will not be met by their caregiver

Question 6

What characterises insecure ambivalent attachment?

Answer 6

Inconsistent, erratic and intrusive parenting leading to an anxious, clingy and demanding infant that cannot rely on their needs being met by the caregiver

Question 7

What characterises disorganised attachment?

Answer 7

Atypical, anomalous and (sometimes) frightening parenting leading to an angry, passive and non-responsive infant that is severely confused with no strategy to have their needs met by their caregiver
[Caregiver usually has unresolved emotional issues preventing them from effectively comfort the infant]

Question 8

What characterises secure attachment?

Answer 8

Consistent and sensitive parenting leading to a secure, explorative and happy infant that believes their needs will be met by their caregiver

Question 9

What can high levels of cortisol (caused by frequent episodes of stress) in infancy lead to?

Answer 9

Prevents development of new neural connections and pathways and affects the stress response system.
“Toxic stress” leads to the development of fewer cortisol receptors in the hippocampus resulting in a permanently active stress response (due to loss of feedback response to hypothalamus to stop stress response)

Question 10

What are the 4 stages of Piaget’s model of cognitive development?

Answer 10

1. Sensorimotor (0-2 years) - knowledge limited to sensory perceptions and motor activity (e.g. a simple motor response caused by sensory stimuli) - achieve object permeance during this stage (knowledge that an object exists when hidden)
2. Pre-operational (2-7 years) - language development; able to think symbolically but cannot understand concrete logic, mentally manipulate information or understand the viewpoints of others
3. Concrete operational (7-11 years) - begin to think logically about concrete events but difficulty understanding abstract or hypothetical concepts. Also begin to understand conservation
4. Formal operational (12+ years) - develop ability to understand abstract concepts, logical thought, deductive reasoning and systematic planning

Question 11

What is the basis of Ericsson’s model of psychosocial development?

Answer 11

Based on the idea that the experience of conflict serves as a turning point in development and if an individual successfully deals with this conflict then they emerge from that stage with psychological strengths

Question 12

What are the stages of Ericsson’s model of psychosocial development?

Answer 12

1. Trust vs. mistrust (0-1 year)
2. Autonomy vs. shame/ doubt (early childhood)
3. Initiative vs. guilt (preschool)
4. Industry vs. inferiority (5-11 years)
5. Identity vs. confusion (adolescence)
6. Intimacy vs. isolation (early adulthood)
7. Generatively vs. stagnation
8. Integrity vs. despair

Question 13

What are the stages of Kohlberg’s theory of moral development?

Answer 13

Pre-adolescence: Stages 1 + 2 - pre-conventional (Stage 1 characterised by obedience and punishment, Stage 2 characterised by individualism and acting in one’s own best interests)

Adolescence: Stages 3 + 4 - conventional (Stage 3 characterised by the need to gain approval, Stage 4 is oriented around abiding to the law and responding to obligations)

Adulthood: Stages 5 + 6 - post-conventional (Stage 5 is an understanding of mutuality and having a genuine interest in the welfare of others, Stage 6 based on respect for universal principle and the demands of individual conscience)