Developmental Psychology Sarah Bolin Period One Life Span

Developmental Psychology Sarah Bolin Period One

Life Span Approach n n Takes the view that development is not a process with a clear ending but a process that continues from birth to death. Within this approach developmental psychology is the study of the changes that occur in peoples abilities and behaviors as they age. When someone is a child psychologist they focus on a particular earlier portion of the typical life span that they choose. The view that the development occurs over a life span was successfully shown by Erikson.

Research Methods n n The method of research the psychologist will use depends on the question that a psychologist is asking. Some study normative development, the typical sequence of development change for a group of people, using the crosssectional method. Cross-sectional method- seeks to compare groups of people of various ages on similar tasks. Another research method is the longitudinal method, following a small group of people over a long portion of their lives and assessing the changes that occur.

Developmental Issues n n A commonly debated subject is the idea of nature vs. nurture. Maturationists believe in the nature side emphasizing the role of genetically programmed growth and development on the body and nervous system. Environmentalists take the opposite side, emphasizing the nurture side. This can be found in Locke’s Tabula Rasa idea, saying that all development is the result of learning. Between the two is interactionism, both combine and interact to produce mature behavior and though.

n n n Another debated subject is the idea of whether development is continuous or discontinuousgradual or stage-oriented. Critical period refers to a time when skill or ability must develop. If a certain skill does not develop at that time it probably will not develop at all. Another thing that impacts development is culture.

Developmental Theories n n n The theories can be divided into two different sections. Those that conceptualize development as a single stage and those that view it as occurring in discrete stages. Stages- patterns of behavior that occur in a fixed sequence Cognitive structures- sets of mental abilities Amount of overlap is determined by relative degrees of domain generality v. domain specificity. Domain generality- idea that development occurs simultaneously across multiple areas. Domain specificity- development can occur within one specific cognitive area.

Physical Development n n Starts at conception with the zygote (fertilized egg) going through three distinct development stages. Stage one-germinal stage-zygote undergoes cell division into 64 cells and plants itself on the uterine wall, lasts about two weeks Stage two- embryonic stage- organ formation, lasts up to the three month mark Stage three-fetal stage- sexual differentiation occurs and movement begins to develop

Neonate reflexes n n n A neonate is a newborn baby. Sucking reflex- triggered by placing something in the babies mouth Palmar reflex- automatic grabbing reflex Babinski reflex- toes spreading out when the bottom of the foot is touched Moro reflex-splaying out of limbs when a loud noise is heard Orientating reflex- orient themselves to sudden changes in their surroundings

n n n Physical development occurs through childhood and adolescence. Specific markers achieved during chilhood are the development of motor skills, both gross and fine. Puberty is another landmark of physical development. Growth of height, weight, and secondary sex characteristics characterize this stage. Adulthood is marked by decrease in physical ability.

Cognitive Development n n n Cognitive development refers to the development of learning, memory, reasoning, problem-solving, and related skills. Piaget said children go through a series of developmental stages in a fixed order and that they can only go through one stage at a time. There are four of Piaget’s stages.

Four stages: first two n n Sensorimotor- occurs during the first two years, develops reflexive reaction and circular reaction, repeated behaviors by which the infant manipulates the environment Preoperational- occurs between two and seven, begins with development of language, egocentrism (seeing the world from one’s own point of view), artificialism (believing all things are human made), animism (believing that all things are living)

Second stages Concrete operational- occurs from seven to twelve, develop conservation skills ( understanding that a change in the form of an object does not produce a change in the whole object) n Formal operational- begins at twelve, children become capable of understanding abstractions and symbolic relationships n

Social Development n n Social development is the development of the ability to interact with others and with the social structures in which we live. Erikson attempted to capture social development through his eight stages of psychosocial development. This is useful for its description of the developmental process and because it is the first theory to assert that development is a life span process.

Stages of social development n n n n Trust vs. Mistrust- deciding whether the world is friendly of hostile Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt- child must develop a sense of control Initiative vs. Guilt- must take initiative and learn to assert themselves without overstepping their bounds Industry vs. Inferiority- gains a sense of accomplishment and pride in their work Identity vs. Role Confusion- children question the type of person they are Intimacy vs. Isolation- attempt to form loving, lasting relationships Generativity vs. Stagnation- be productive in both career and home and to contribute to the next generation Integrity vs. Despair- learn to come to terms with ones own life

Moral Development n n Most influential theory of moral development was advanced by Kohlberg, there are three levels. Level one- ages seven to ten, the level of preconventional morality (two stage system of moral judgment) Level two- ages ten to sixteen, stage of conventional morality (internalizing of societies rules and morals) Level three- sixteen onward, level of postconventional morality (internal set of values that may conflict with social values)

Sex Roles n n n Psychosexual development is the development of ones own sexuality. An influential theory of psychosexual development was Freud’s four stages. Stage one- Oral stage, primary source of pleasure for the infant comes from sucking Stage two- anal stage, child derives pleasure from the process of elimination Stage three- phallic stage, child discovers that genital stimulation is pleasurable Stage four- genital stage, establishment and maintenance of standard heterosexual relationships