Unit 1 Topic 3 - Cognitive Development

Question 1

Periods of rapid development occur during… (1.3.1.1)

Answer 1

Infancy and adolescence

Question 2

Define neuroplasticity (1.3.1.2)

Answer 2

the ability to rewire the brain by finding new connections - proves that the brain can develop

Question 3

Compare deprived and enriched environments (1.3.1.2)

Answer 3

Deprived - the absence (intentional or unintentional) of experience learning for cognitive development
Enriched - having an enhanced environment for cognitive development

Question 4

Explain the effect of brain damage on neuroplasticity (1.3.1.2)

Answer 4

The neuroplasticity is unable to rewire and make new connections, hence, cognitive development is cannot occur normally.

Question 5

The role of critical and sensitive periods on psychological development (1.3.1.3)

Answer 5

Critical - environmental factors that can shape a persons future development, must occur for normal development to proceed (otherwise death or disabilities occur)
Sensitive - optimal time for psychological development in some areas, slightly flexible, (i.e. learning)

Question 6

Define attachment (1.3.1.4)

Answer 6

the emotional bond between an individual and attachment figure (i.e. parent)

Question 7

Effects of attachment not occuring (1.3.1.4)

Answer 7

Privation - when a child never forms a close attachment to another person

Question 8

Psychological Development - Attachment (1.3.1.4)

Konrad Lorenz (1937)

Answer 8

Aim: Determine Behaviour of attachment
Method: Used ducks and gooses
Results: Human behaviour evolves over time

Question 9

Psychological Development - Attachment (1.3.1.4)

Harry Harlow (1958)

Answer 9

Aim: Development of attachment + emotional development
Method: used monkies
Results: comfort creates attachment

Question 10

Psychological Development - Attachment (1.3.1.4)

John Bowlby (1969)

Answer 10

Aim: Development of attachment
Method: Used children
Results: 3 phases based on age

Question 11

Psychological Development - Attachment (1.3.1.4)

Mary Ainsworth (1978)

Answer 11

Aim:
Observe attachment security in children with the context of parents/caregivers

Method:

• used infants in a sequence of events
• mother, child and stranger are introduced, separated and reunited

Results:
identified the following stages of attachment
- secure
- insecure avoidant
- insecure ambivalent

Question 12

List the 4 stages of cognitive development and the age range they occur (1.3.1.6)

Jean Piaget (1936)

Answer 12

1 - sensorimotor (birth to 2)
2 - preoperational (2 to 7)
3 - concrete operational (7 to 11)
4 - formal operational (11 to adulthood)

Question 13

Analyse the cognitive development and cognitive limits that occurs during the sensorimotor stage (1.3.1.6)

Jean Piaget (1936)

Answer 13

COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT:

• integrating senses with motor functions
• specifically goal directed behaviour
• develops object permanence + other basic skills

Question 14

Analyse the cognitive development and cognitive limits that occurs during the preoperational stage (1.3.1.6)

Jean Piaget (1936)

Answer 14

COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT:
- rapid increase of language ability
- engage in symbolic thought but dominated by perception
COGNITIVE LIMITS:
- cannot perform mental operations
- animism, egocentrism, centration, seriation, conservation, irreversibility

Question 15

Analyse the cognitive development and cognitive limits that occurs during the concrete operational stage (1.3.1.6)

Jean Piaget (1936)

Answer 15

COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT:
- can perform operations on objects that are present or easily imagined
COGNITIVE LIMITS:
- cannot handle abstractions

Question 16

Analyse the cognitive development and cognitive limits that occurs during the formal operational stage (1.3.1.6)

Jean Piaget (1936)

Answer 16

COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT:

• abstract concepts
• hypothetical thinking

Question 17

Compare Jean Piaget (1936) and Lev Vygotsky (1978) with reference to: (1.3.1.6)

• Sociocultural context
• Constructivism
• Stages
• Role of language
• Teaching implications

Answer 17

V more socio. context
V socio / P cognitive
V no stages / P stages
V major / P minimal
V opportunities / P support

Question 18

Describe the impacts of rapid development during infancy and adolescence (1.3.1.1)

Answer 18

Myelination - formation of myelin sheath over neurons (final stage)
Synaptic Pruning - excess neurons, synapses and weak connection are eliminated (fine tuning)
Frontal Lobe - matures