Module 1 Flashcards
5 Issues of Development & Meaning
Sources of Development (Nature vs Nurture)
Plasticity (Critical vs Sensitive Periods)
Continuity vs Discontinuity (Linear/Stage Development)
Individual Differences (Stable/Unstable, Unique/Similar)
Culture (Not if but how)
Context vs Culture
Culture = the socially transmitted and sometimes transformed bank of acquired traits; what people do
Context = array of stimuli surrounding a communication event, environment, background, etc
What are Cultural Regularities? + example
patterns in how communities organize their lives; ex: babies co-sleep or sleep alone; hierarchical vs horizontal society
Hierarchical vs Horizontal Society Organization
In a hierarchical society, certain individuals have a higher status; everyone is trying to succeed, but not everyone can. In a horizontal society, everyone works together & should intuitively understand each other’s needs and emotions
What is Plasticity & Its Question
The feasibility of timing in development, or to what degree, and under what conditions, is development open to change and intervention; Are we more affected by events that occur in early childhood, or do later events play an equally important role?
Sensitive Periods vs Critical Periods
Sensitive: is learned/occurs most easily; but can be learned with difficulty in other periods; Begin and end abruptly (ex. second language learning or rolling r’s)
Critical: if does not occur here, cannot occur at all; begin and end gradually, a period of maximal sensitivity (ex. puberty)
Sources of Development (Nature vs Nurture)’s Question
Does who we are come from our genetic inheritance, our environment, or both?
Continuous vs Discontinuous Development
Continuous development sees development as cumulative and gradual; Discontinuous is sudden with changes occurring in steps or stages;
Question of Individual Development
In what ways do we develop similar to other humans, in what ways does our development diverge?
4 Time Frames of Development (Rogoff)
Microgenetic, Ontogenetic, Cultural-Historical, and Phylogenetic
What is Microgenetic Development?
development of a competency or a task (ex learning to crawl, walk, write)
What is Ontogenetic Development?
development across an individual’s lifespan
What is Cultural-Historical Development?
involves community values, norms, and cultural tools over decade & centuries (ex: generational trauma, development of a language)
What Is Phylogenetic Development?
development of humans as a species via evolution (ex: development of thumbs, ability to write)
What Is Methylation
a chemical modification of DNA by adding or taking away a methyl group; turns gene expression “off” while demethylation turns it “on.”
What is Epigenetics?
the study of changes in organisms caused by modification of gene expression rather than alteration of the genetic code itself
DRD4 Pattern & Its Significance
Typically has 4 repetitions, but for one in five Americans in repeats 7 times; this is associated with novelty-seeking & risk-taking. From a Cultural-Historical perspective, these traits were rewarded & encouraged in some communities/civilizations that needed to frequently be active and change locations
