unit 1 test Flashcards
Definition of Maturation
Development changes in the body or behaviour that results from the aging process
Definition of Development
The process by which individuals change over time and the factors that produce these changes
definition of Physical Development
The process by which individuals change over time in physical appearance, strength, and abilities
Definition of emotional development
The ability to understand the viewpoints, emotions, thoughts, and intentions of oneself and others. Also includes the ability to think about social relationships and institutions.
definition of Psychological Development
The mental or behavioural characteristics of an individual or group. The development of human beings’ cognitive, emotional, intellectual, and social capabilities and functioning over the course of the life span
the definition of Social Development
Verbal ability, problem solving skills and the ability to learn from and adapt to the experiences of everyday life.
the definition of Growth
The act of process of development; Development from a simpler to more complex stage
Major milestones of development
Infancy, Early childhood, Middle childhood, Adolescence
key developments in Infancy
Increasing regular patterns of sleep
Gross and fine motor skills
Beginning to understand environment
Language begins to develop
Expression of emotions begins
Start of personality development
key developments of Early Childhood
Dramatic growth (3 inches per year)
Brain maturation
Improved gross and fine motor skills
Play becomes important
Gender differences develops
Logical thinking develops
Language improves
Idea of the self emerges
key developments of Middle Childhood
Children grow more slowly
Able to perform most motor skills
Language continues to improve
Eagerness to learn increases
Ability to focus increases
Children are active learners
key developments of Adolescence
Time of puberty
Growth spurts increase (weight and height)
Increased nutritional demands
Concern of appearance increases
Moral reasoning increases
Cognitive immaturity still prevalent
(e.g. belief of invincibility from teen
pregnancy or STDs)
Identity vs. role confusion
Peer groups important
key developments in Early Adulthood
Physical strength increases
Body systems become less efficient
Emotionally relevant issues increase
(e.g. eating disorders, fatal accidents, suicide)
Ability to solve problems logically and
systemically increases
Questioning about morality, faith, and ethics increases
Life events promote cognitive growth
Need for love, belonging, and intimacy increases
Commitments to career, marriage, and parenthood increases
Deepest source of intimacy is seen through sexual bonding with a mate
key developments of middle adulthood
Increased physical changes in the body (e.g. more wrinkles,
less hair, new body fat, hearing less acute)
Health is generally stable
Menopause (stop of menstrual cycle due to the end of
ovulation causing a decrease in estrogen levels in the body)
may begin in women
Speed of thinking and behaviour decrease
Practical intelligence increases
“Mid-life crisis” may occur (indicators: self doubt, unhappiness, and radical changes in behaviour)
Relationships with parents and children improve
Marriage needs reexamination for sustenance
key developments of Aging
Happiest of aging persons are those who are healthy and active
Vision and hearing usually impaired
Brain gets smaller: reaction time decreases
Body is more susceptible to chronic and
critical diseases
Decline in immune system
Still able to learn new learning strategies
Religious concerns and spiritual awareness increase
More responsive to nature
Tweens versus Teens
“Growing up between the ages of 11 - 14” / “Growing up between ages 15-16”
Describe the changes that took place over the 20th century that contributed to an “extended adolescence”
How the workforce changed and more immigrant adults took minimum wage jobs rather than teenagers
Children relying on parents more because of less/harder job opportunities and increased prices for food, housing, etc
What is your “peer culture”? What distinguishes teenagers from other age groups in today’s society?
Cliques and niches that share similar views, interests and aesthetics
More adolescents want justice within the systems in our society that impact them, such as:
Education system
Mental Health
Less gathering because of family relations but more gathering with people from other families
Do you agree that adolescence is defined by the times and places that we live? Can you support this with other examples from other countries or cultures?
Yes, the way peer groups ‘hang out’ are very different from each country, even different cities! People in the rural places would do many different things compared to people who live in the suburbs
Recently there has been a new age group called “tweens” identified - 11/12 year olds who are caught “between” childhood and adolescence. What factors do you think may contribute to this phenomenon in our society?
Social media and technology; more children go to these methods of entertainment instead of sports, toys, etc
“What is a Developmental Theory?”
a broad and coherent view of complex influences on human development
educated guesses about behaviour and development
current summary about our knowledge about development
THEORISTS OF DEVELOPMENT
Freud, Erikson, Vygotsky, Piaget, Gesell, Skinner
What was Freud’s main idea?
We are driven by motives and conflicts largely by our earliest life experiences
freud- What are the main points of psychoanalytic theory?
humans have biological urges that must be satisfied (life instincts)
newborns are inherently selfish creatures that are driven by 2 instincts: eros and thanatos
freud-what is eros
life insticts- that promote survival through activities such as breathing, eating, sex, and fulfilment of bodily needs
freud-what is thanatos
death insticts- destructive forces that are expressed through behaviours such as arson, fistfights, sadistic aggression, murder and masochism (hurting oneself)
freud-What is ID?
at birth, the personality is all ID demands immediate gratification does not care who it hurts as long as you are satisfied seek objects that will satisfy - pleasure principle -
freud - What is EGO?
takes learning, logic and perception into account
realistic way to compromise between ID and SUPEREGO -
freud - What is SUPEREGO?
angel on your shoulder, do good, internalized moral standards acts like a internal censor and insit that ego finds socially acceptable outlets for id’s desires. can be unbalanced
what is the oral stage (1-2) in sigmund freud’s psychosexual theory?
seeks pleasure through the mouth (spitting, chewing, sucking, sucking, biting)
feeding a rich source of oral gratification
later psychological development could be effected by a mother’s feeding practices
if weaned too early from breast feeding or on a rigid schedule deprives oral gratification that could later become over-dependant or craves close contact
what is the anal stage (1-3) in sigmund freud’s psychosexual theory?
learning how to toilet train
acquire the ability to withhold or expel fecal material at will
how parents teach a child to use the toilet can impact personality
punished for accidents: anxious
no punishment or care: sloppy, careless
what is the phallic stage (3-6) in sigmund freud’s pyschosexual theory?
genitals become interesting and sensitive
derives pleasure from fondling genitals
develop a strong incestuous desire for the parent of the other sex
oedipus complex: boys are in love with their mothers and jealous of their fathers
electra complex: girls are in love with their fathers and jealous of their mothers
what is the latency stage (6-12) in sigmund freud’s pyschosexual theory?
sex instincts are mostly quiet
channels energy into socially acceptable activities
school, work, friends, play
what is the genital stage (12+) in sigmund freud’s psychosexual theory?
reactivation of genital zone as area of sensual pleasure
underlying goal becomes biological reproduction through sexual intercourse
face conflicts in how to manage sexual urges
establishing career, friends, marriage, children
people remain in this stage for the rest of their lives
What are the different stages of Sigmun Freud’s psychosexual theory?
oral stage (1-2) anal stage (1-3) phallic (3-6) latency (6-12) genital (12+)
erikson - What was his main idea?
development occurs in stages, you cannot move to the next stage if you have not met the one prior.
What is Erik Erikson’s psychosocial theory?
a child must resolve conflicts at each stage to prepare for crisis later in life
children seek active, adaptive and explorers that seek control of their environment
humans are rational creatures
humans face 8 major crises/conflicts during life - starting from infancy to old age
each conflict emerges through biological maturation and social demands
problems with this theory
very vague, objective, and does not explain how to successfully resolve conflicts or how personality is influenced by early stages
erikson - What are the different stages in psychosocial theory?
trust vs mistrust (0-1)
autonomy vs shame and doubt (1-3)
initiative vs guilt (3-6)
industry vs inferiority (6-12)
identity vs role confusion (12 to 20 years old)
intimacy vs isolation (20 to 40 years old)
generativity vs stagnation (40 to 65 years old)
ego integrity vs despair (65+ years)
what is the trust vs mistrust stage in erik erikson’s psychosocial theory?
learn to trust others for basic needs
if rejected or inconsistent care by caregiver, they may view the world as a dangerous place filled with untrustworthy people
mother (caregiver) is key social agent
what is the autonomy vs shame and doubt stage in erik erikson’s psychosocial theory?
learn to be “autonomous” - feed, dress themselves, look after hygiene
failure to achieve independence could result in doubting own abilities or feel shameful
parents are key social agents
what is the initiative vs guilt stage in erik erikson’s psychosocial theory?
attempt to act grown up and accept duties that are beyond their abilities
may undertake goals that conflict with family members; feel guilty
need to balance both
family is key social agent
what is the industry vs inferiority stage in erik erikson’s psychosocial theory?
mastering important social and academic skills
comparing yourself to peers
tests, sports etc.
acquire skills to be self-assured, otherwise feel inferior
teachers and peers are key social agents
what is the identity vs role confusion stage in erik erikson’s psychosocial theory?
asks “who am i?”
must establish basic social and occupational identities or will remain confused about roles they will play as adults
finding a job, having a few close friends vs large groups, starting to figure out what you want to be when you grow up
teachers and peers are key social agents
what is the intimacy vs isolation stage in erik erikson’s psychosocial theory?
form strong friendships and trying to achieve a sense of love and companionship with another person (mate)
loneliness and isolation are a result of inability to form friends or intimate relationships
lovers, spouse, and close friends are key social agents
both is ideal since intimacy found in a lover or friend is different
what is the generativity vs stagnation stage in erik erikson’s psychosocial theory?
face task of being productive in their work and raising their families or looking after the needs of young people
if unable or unwilling to assume responsibilities will become stagnant and/or self-centered
spouse, children and cultural norms are key social agents
what is the ego integrity vs despair stage in erik erikson’s psychosocial theory?
look back at life and see if it was meaningful, productive, and happy or a major disappointment full of unfulfilled promises and goals
social experience important in outcome of this crisis
no key agent because you are the key agent
Vygotsky
What was his main idea?
many of the truly important “discoveries” children make are socially mediated (products of collaboration)
vygotsky - What is social context?
there are differences in the way we think due to: cultural differences goals experiences learning is a social activity "zone of proximal development"
vygotsky - What is the zone of proximal developmen
tasks within a child’s zone of proximal development are those that can’t be mastered on their own, but with the guidance of someone more skillful
example: an adult or older sibling
the associate can provide hints, suggestions or instruction to encourage child
conceptual scaffolding - active support that child needs a “ladder”
to stand back and watch children make new discoveries on their own is to “let them flounder” (struggle and learn very slowly)
gessel - What was his main idea?
human development largely a matter of biological maturation
gessel - what is biological maturation?
human development is largely a matter of biological maturation → Found common norms, behaviours and abilities at certain ages
children are like plants → Simply “bloomed”, following a pattern and timetable laid out in their genes
believed that parent’s influence was of little importance
skinner - what was his main idea?
the role of external stimuli and its ability to control human behaviour
skinner - what is operant conditioning under skinner’s radical behaviourism theory?
learn a behaviour and produce a particular response
skinner - what are reinforcers?
a stimulus that increases the likelihood of repeating a behaviour
behaviourists prefer reinforcers to punishments because it is more likely to produce lasting behaviour
skinner - what are different methods of reinforcement?
reinforcer - a stimulus that increases the likelihood of repeating a behaviour
positive reinforcer - something pleasant
reward, good feeling, getting an a+ on a text
negative reinforcer - removal of unpleasant stimulus as a result of a behaviour
anxiety about a test is reduced by extra studying
punishment - events that suppress response
didn’t get an a+ = getting hit
Piaget
what was his main idea?
as children mature and develope they acquire these complex “cognitive structures” that aid them in adapting to the environment
cognitive-developmental viewpoint determined how children progress from one mode of thinking to another
intelligence = basic life process that helps organisms adapt to its environment
infants have no knowledge of reality
they actively construct new understandings of the world based on their own experiences by being curious and active explores
piaget - what are schemas?
cognitive structures - organized pattern of thought or action that is used to cope with or explain some aspect of experience
when we are older we encounter new situation and we use our schemas (cognitive structures) to better fit our reality
as we grow, old schemas are replaced with new schemas because we learn and experience new things
what is the sensorimotor (0-2) stage in jean piaget theory?
acquire a primitive sense of self and other
objects continue to exist even when out of sight
begin to produce images or mental schemes
use sensory and motor capabilities to explore and gain basic understanding of environment
what is the preoperational (2-7) stage in jean piaget theory?
you become imaginative in play activities
gradually recognize that other people may not perceive the world the way they do
use symbolism to represent and understand various aspects of the environment
what is the concrete operations (7-11) stage in jean piaget theory?
no longer fooled by appearances
rely on cognitive operations to understand the rule
begins to think logically
better infer the motives of others
what is the formal operations (11+) stage in jean piaget theory?
logical thinking no longer limited to the concrete and observable
understand hypothetical issues and questions that may become idealistic
capable of reasoning which allows them to consider many possible solutions
thought is systematic and abstract; able to to both
The Observer’s Role
Validity, Reliability, Social Variation and Ethical Research
What is external validity
When the findings can be generalized to all social behaviour
What is internal validity
When the independent variable has the effect observed on the dependent variable without any intervening variables
Reliability is when…
results are consistent when measured in different contexts and over different times
What does social variation imply about humans?
That they are not stable and change over time
What is ethical research
It is the obligation of the researcher to consider the rights and feelings of human subjects during the research process
What happens if you fail to follow the code of ethics?
Ethical misconduct
What do social variables account for?
Group behaviours and group conduct
An example of a social response to a gender wage gap is
Men and women should be paid equally (it is unfair for male doctors to be paid more than female doctors)
What do economic variables account for?
distribution of resources and its access
An example of an economic response to a gender wage gap is
Withhold work, go on strike until equality is achieved
Premier of summerville provides more funding to hospitals so they can increase the pay of female doctors
What do political variables account for
differences attributed to power and its access
An example of an political response to a gender wage gap is
By bringing awareness to the the issue of inequity, women are temporarily il given higher status in summerville
What is a self fulfilling prophecy
When a belief becomes reality because certain social, economic and political conditions are set up to fulfill this perception.
