Psychological development Flashcards
biological factors
genetics, hormones, bodily functions influence behaviours
psychological factors
thought processes, concept of self, taking in info
social factors
interactions with others
social factors
interactions with others
continuous development
gradual and ongoing change
provides basis for next stage of development
skills don’t always increase
discontinuous development
distinct separate stages
different abilities and functions learned wroth each stage
different start/stop stages
sensitive periods
when organisms are more prone to responding to stimuli
if a mental process is not learned, it can be learned later on with more difficulty
critical periods
when individuals are most vulnerable to deprivation of stimuli
if behaviour is not learned it can never be learned
example: visual processing
maturation
biological growth process that begins at conception and leads to maturity of an organism
innate changes over body, brain and nervous system
nature
genes
genotype
phenotype
hormones
nature: factors gained genetically from biological parents
genes: contained within DNA from cells - contribute to behaviours
genotype: pre-determined genes (eye colour)
phenotype: observable characteristics resulting from genotype x environment
hormones: chemical substances secreted into the bloodstream that allow body to change and adapt - also regulates development, growth, maturation
brains 3 formation processes
cell production
cell migration
cell elaboration
production n: cells divide and make neurons
migration: neurons travel and determine their function
elaboration: neurons connect to other neurons
myelination
synaptogenesis
synaptic pruning
myelination: myelin forms around axons to increase rate that neural info is sent along axon
synaptogenesis: formation of new synaptic connections
synaptic pruning: weak or unused synaptic connections are pruned to fine tune neural connections - makes more used connections stronger
brain development results from:
innate and dynamic processes so the brain can refine itself and sharpen functions to meet environmental needs
