Slides Week 2 Flashcards
1
Q
Causes of Development
A
- Philosophical debate around the cause of human development
- Nature - Biology/Heredity/Maturation (Rousseau)
- Nurture - Locke’s tabula rasa, Bandura
2
Q
Maturation
A
- Aspect of Nature
- Natural growth that unflods in a fixed sequence
- Growth that is independant of the environment
3
Q
Behaviourism
A
- All behaviour is learned
- There is no such thing as free will
- Watson & Skinner
4
Q
Contemporary Approaches to Developmental Psychology
A
- Heredity and biology creates predispositions
- Predisposition interacts with environmental influences
- How much nature or nurture combinations are still not certain due to
- Need to differentiate simple vs. complex Characteristics (e.g. height v. intelligence).
- Reciprocal interaction between heredity and environment are correlated, e.g., intelligence.
- Children are Niche Pickers they actively choose
environments that best suit their genetic predispositions.
5
Q
Prenatal Development
A
- Development begins at fertilisation of ovum
- New cell nucleus is created from genetic material of both parents
- One celled organism is created call a zygote
6
Q
Three Stages of Prenatal Development
A
- Germinal Stage
- Embryonic Stage
- Foetal Stage
7
Q
Germinal Stage
A
- Fertilisation to two weeks gestation
-
Zygote begins to divide 24-36 hours after
fertilisation - Travels down the fallopian tubes
to the uterus. -
Blastocyst is formed (150 cells), attaches to
the walls of the uterus and is fully embedded
in the wall of the uterus.
8
Q
Embryonic Stage
A
- Two weeks gestation to two months gestation (i.e., week 3 to week 8 after conception
- Rapid development of major organs
- Placenta Develops
e.g., heart, nervous system, stomach, sex organs.
- By end of this stage embryo Measures 2.5cm in length.
- Develops eyes, ears, nose, jaw, mouth,lips, arms, hands, fingers, legs, feet, toes.
9
Q
Foetal Stage
A
- Two months Gestation to nine months gestation
- Six months gestation
- Eyelids open.
- Foetus can breathe regularly for 24 hour length periods.
- Viable (but not guaranteed) of surviving outside of the womb.
- Eight months gestation (i.e. from approx.
- Responds to light and touch.
- Learning occurs
- habituation.
10
Q
Habituation
A
- a decrease in response to a stimulus after repeated presentations
11
Q
Factors affecting prenatal development
A
- The timing and stages of prenatal development are Biologically determined
- Affected by the environment in the womb
- Effects of teratogens especially important.
12
Q
Teratogens
A
- External substances that can penetrate the placenta,
- Cause spontaneous abortion or birth defects.
- Affect development when ingested by during rapid organ development
13
Q
Teratogen Examples: Maternal Illness
A
- Bacteria and protozoa
- Toxoplasmosis (raw meat/fish, cat feces).
- Effects: blindness, deafness, intellectual disabilities
- Toxoplasmosis (raw meat/fish, cat feces).
- Viruses
- Rubella ( esp 1st trimester)
- Effects: blindness, deafness, intellectual disabilities, heart defects, cerebral palsy, microcephaly, risk of miscarriage, fetal death
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) → flu like symptoms
- Effects: blindness, deafness, intellectual disabilities, neurological deficits, risk of miscarriage, fetal death
- Herpes Simplex (C section recommended to avoid exposure to virus)
- Effects: eye/vision problems, early exposure = brain damage/death
- HIV/AIDS (contracted through blood exchange, breastfeeding)
- Rubella ( esp 1st trimester)
14
Q
Teratogen Exmples: Drug Use
A
- Nicotine
- Alcohol
- Thalidomide
15
Q
Teratogens - Environmental Factors
A
- Maternal Nutrition
- Environmental toxins and hazards, pesticides, lead & mercury
- Emotional Stress
16
Q
Newborn Physical Development
A
- The physical body grows rapidly from birth throughout infancy
- Weight:
- 3kg at birth; infant’s weight doubles by 4 months; gradual weight increase to 2 years as bones & muscles grow.
- Length:
- Babies gain 2.5cm per month for each of the first 12 months .
17
Q
Newborn Physical Development
A
- By infancy’s end, 2 year olds achieved:
- 50% adult height.
- 20% adult weight.
- Brain undergoes massive development and growth
- 2 years old: 75% of adult brain weight.
18
Q
Newborn Vision
A
- Newborn vision is blurry (20/300 eyesight).
- Able to see large objects at close range.
- Stare longest at objects that have qualities and contours resembling those of a human face.
- Depth perception Develops at 7 months of age.
19
Q
Newborn Depth Perception
A
- The visual cliff
- A test of acquired depth perception
- Depth perception acquired around the same time
20
Q
Newborn Hearing
A
- Hearing attuned to sounds of speech with a preference for:
- Rising tones (women/children; men tend to use the same tone of voice for infants, children and adults).
- High pitched, exaggerated, expressive speech, parentese
- Hearing does not develop adult like acuity until childhood.
21
Q
Newborn Smell
A
- Odor preferences from birth
- Affected by mother’s diet during pregnancy
- Can locate odors and identify mother by smell from birth
22
Q
Newborn Taste
A
- Prefer sweet tastes at birth
- Aversion to sour and bitter tastes
- Preference for salty foods by 4 months
- Quickly learn to like new tastes
23
Q
Newborn Touch
A
- Develops before all other senses
- Helps stimulate early physical growth
- Vital for emotional development
- Gentle stroking can reduce distress in infants
- Physical touch releases endorphins
33
Q
Chart Motor Skills in Childhood
A
45
Q
Early Adulthood
A
- Physical growth continues with increases in:
- Shoulder width.
- Height.
- Chest size.
59
Q
Hormonal Stress Theory
A
- When individuals experience stress, body responds by releasing hormones like adrenaline and corticosteroids
- Individually levels of hormones remain at elevated levels for longer than when younger
- Prolonged, elevated levels of stress hormones associated with high risk of many diseases
- cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, hypertension.
