What is developmental psychology? Flashcards
child development
understanding human development from conception to adolescence
factors that might influence the development of a child:
- genetics
- nutrition, illness, accidents
- parents - views, values and practices
- teachers, schools
- siblings and family
- local environment
- traumatic experiences
periods of development
- prenatal (conception to birth)
- infancy and toddlerhood (0-2 yrs)
- early childhood (2-6 yrs)
- middle childhood (6-11 yrs)
- adolescence (11-18 yrs)
Plato and ancient greece
thought that the immortal soul was resorted through education and development to its initial pure state
medieval times
childhood became to be seen as a distinct period of development, requiring protection
the reformation - 16th century
- the religious movements of puritanism and Protestantism changed the ay children were seen
- children were thought to be worn evil
John Locke - precursor for behaviourism
- children are born as blank states
- emphasised effect of experience on children’s characters (nurture)
John Locke recommendations
for parents to spend time with their children, reward them with praise and avoid physical punishment
ethology
study of development from an evolutionary perspective, focusing on the adaptive nature of behaviour
Freud’s psychoanalytic theory
children develop in stages, each developing conflict between biological drives and social expectations
Skinner’s beaviourism
studied behavioural responses and their environmental determinants ‘operant or instrumental conditioning’
rewards, avoidance and punishments in the environment shape children’s behaviour
Bandura’s social learning theory
learning from interactions between the child and the physical and social environment. Observational learning and imitation (modelling)