Test1 Flashcards
Describe developmental research methods
Studying how a person changes as they develop over time.
Understand the meaning of science of human development
The Science of Human Development seeks to understand how and why people — all kinds of people, everywhere, of every age — change over time.
Understand the concept scientific method
The scientific method is the process of objectively establishing facts through testing and experimentation. The basic process involves making an observation, forming a hypothesis, making a prediction, conducting an experiment and finally analyzing the results.
For example, a scientist observes that plants grow taller in sunlight. The hypothesis is that sunlight helps plants grow. The prediction is that plants placed in sunlight will grow taller. The experiment involves placing some plants in sunlight and some in the dark, then measuring their growth. The results show that plants in sunlight grew taller, supporting the hypothesis.
Identify the differences between critical period and sensitive period
Sensitive periods offer broad windows for experience to shape neural circuitry, while critical periods are a subset that can result in irreversible changes to the brain.
Recall major issues in the study of lifespan development
Continuity and discontinuity, one common course of development or many unique courses of development, and nature versus nurture.
Recognize the principles of research ethics
Informed Consent: Ensure participants are fully aware and voluntarily agree to participate.
Respect for Persons: Uphold participants’ autonomy and protect vulnerable populations.
Beneficence: Maximize benefits and minimize harm.
Non-Maleficence: Avoid causing harm or distress.
Justice: Distribute benefits and burdens fairly.
Confidentiality: Protect participants’ privacy and personal information.
Integrity: Conduct research honestly and transparently.
Accountability: Take responsibility for ethical conduct and adherence to guidelines.
Identify the underlying assumptions of each approach to the study of human development
The psychodynamic approach to psychology focuses on the internal, unconscious mental forces that individuals are largely unaware of, but drive emotions and actions.
The Behavioral Approach: Human behavior is learned; thus all behavior can be unlearned and new behaviors learned in its place. Behaviorism is concerned primarily with the observable and measurable aspects of human behavior. Therefore when behaviors become unacceptable, they can be unlearned.
The biological approach to psychology is one way to conceptualize and explain the human experience. The biological approach seeks to explain mental processes and behavior by focusing on the function of the nervous system at the cellular and structural level.
The cognitive approach is a psychological perspective that emphasizes the study of mental processes such as thinking, perception, attention, and memory. This approach suggests that our thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes affect our behavior and emotions.
The sociocultural approach used by psychologists acknowledges and is interested in how family, friends, environments, and religious views of the individual influence their behaviors and thoughts. An individual may view their behavior and thoughts differently depending on the socio-cultural environment.
An evolutionary approach to behavior involves an analysis of particular recurrent problems faced by the members of a given species and a search across species for correlations between common behaviors and common environmental conditions.
Ecological systems theory is concerned with the interaction and interdependence of individuals with their surrounding systems and encourages social workers to take a holistic view by assessing how individuals affect and are affected by such physical, social, political, and cultural systems.
Apply the core tenets of each approach to the study of human development
Behavioral Approach
Core Tenets: Focuses on observable behaviors and the ways they are learned through interactions with the environment, including conditioning and reinforcement.
Biological Approach
Core Tenets: Examines the influence of biological factors such as genetics, brain development, and hormonal changes on development.
Cognitive Approach
Core Tenets: Focuses on mental processes such as perception, memory, and problem-solving, and how they develop and influence behavior.
Sociocultural Approach
Core Tenets: Emphasizes the role of social interactions, cultural context, and societal influences on development.
Evolutionary Approach
Core Tenets: Focuses on how evolutionary processes, such as natural selection, influence behavioral and developmental patterns
Ecological Systems Approach
Core Tenets: Examines how different environmental systems (microsystem, mesosystem, ecosystem, macrosystem) interact and impact development.
Recall the structure of genes
Genes are encoded within long strands of DNA strands. DNA consist of nucleotide monomers, which are comprised of a pentose sugar (Deoxyribose), a phosphate group, and either one of of the four nitrogenous bases: Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Cytosine (C), or Guanine (G).
Recall the function of genes
A gene is a short section of DNA. Your genes contain instructions that tell your cells to make molecules called proteins. Proteins perform various functions in your body to keep you healthy. Each gene carries instructions that determine your features, such as eye color, hair color and height.
Explain the role of epigenetics in developmental outcomes
As you grow and develop, epigenetics helps determine which function a cell will have—for example, whether it will become a
Recall the function of genes
A gene is a short section of DNA. Your genes contain instructions that tell your cells to make molecules called proteins. Proteins perform various functions in your body to keep you healthy. Each gene carries instructions that determine your features, such as eye color, hair color and height.
Example: N/A
Explain the role of epigenetics in developmental outcomes
As you grow and develop, epigenetics helps determine which function a cell will have—for example, whether it will become a heart cell, nerve cell, muscle cell, or skin cell.
Example: Nerve cell and muscle cell. Your nerve cells and muscle cells have the same DNA, but they work differently.
Recognize the characteristics of the stages of prenatal development
Germinal stage: The division of cells and implantation of the blastocyst. Embryonic stage: The development of the neural tube and organs. Fetal stage: Continued growth of organs and physical development in preparation for birth.
Example: N/A
Recall the impact of select teratogens on development
As a baby grows in the womb, teratogens may affect parts of the baby’s body as they are forming. For example, the neural tube closes in the first 3 -4 weeks of the pregnancy. During this time, teratogens can cause neural tube defects, such as spina bifida.
Example: N/A
Identify the causes and consequences of Low Birthweight
Low birth weight means your baby was born weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces (2,500 grams). It affects about 1 out of every 12 newborn babies. The main causes of low birth weight include being born premature and a condition called fetal growth restriction. Low birth weight can lead to a number of complications.
Example: N/A
Identify the origins and effects of postpartum risks for families
Postpartum risks, such as depression, hemorrhage, breastfeeding challenges, and sleep deprivation, arise from hormonal changes, physical strain, and emotional stress after childbirth. These risks can lead to mental health issues, relationship strain, and difficulties in caring for the newborn, affecting the well-being of the entire family.
Example: N/A
Recognize examples of newborn reflexes (including their purpose)
Rooting reflex- This reflex starts when the corner of the baby’s mouth is stroked or touched. The baby will turn his or her head and open his or her mouth to follow and root in the direction of the stroking. This helps the baby find the breast or bottle to start feeding. This reflex lasts about 4 months.
Example: N/A
Tonic neck reflex
When a baby’s head is turned to one side, the arm on that side stretches out and the opposite arm bends up at the elbow. This is often called the fencing position. This reflex lasts until the baby is about 5 to 7 months old.
Example: The baby exhibited the tonic neck reflex when her head was turned to the right.
Grasp reflex
Stroking the palm of a baby’s hand causes the baby to close his or her fingers in a grasp. The grasp reflex lasts until the baby is about 5 to 6 months old. A similar reflex in the toes lasts until 9 to 12 months.
Example: The baby showed the grasp reflex when her hand was stroked.
Stepping reflex
This reflex is also called the walking or dance reflex because a baby appears to take steps or dance when held upright with his or her feet touching a solid surface. This reflex lasts about 2 months.
Body Sizes - Infancy (0-12 Months)
Weight: Newborns typically double their birth weight by about 6 months and triple it by 12 months. For example, a baby born at 7 pounds might weigh around 21 pounds by the end of the first year.
Length: Infants grow rapidly in length, adding about 10 inches (25 cm) in the first year. For instance, a newborn who is 20 inches long might reach 30 inches by 12 months.
Head Circumference: Increases rapidly to support brain growth. By one year, head circumference typically grows by 4-5 inches (10-12 cm) from birth.
Body Sizes - Toddlerhood (12-24 Months)
Weight: Growth slows slightly, but toddlers usually weigh about four times their birth weight by age 2.
Length: Toddlers continue to grow, adding 4-5 inches (10-12 cm) to their height over the second year. For example, a 12-month-old who is 30 inches tall might reach 34-35 inches by 24 months.
Body Proportions: Proportions become more adult-like, with a less pronounced head relative to body size
Sleep Patterns - Newborns (0-2 Months)
Sleep 14-17 hours a day in short periods, with frequent awakenings for feeding. Sleep patterns are irregular.
