Developmental Psychology
Social, emotional, moral, and intellectual change throughout lifespan
Methods of Research
1. Longitudinal study
* Withing subjects
* Confounded with "time of testing"
2. Cross-Sectional study
* Between subjects
* Confounded with "generation"
- cohort effects
Nature - Basic Biology of prenatal development
Genetic building blocks
1. Chromosomes
Carry genes
DNA - deoxyribonucleic acid
23 pairs in each cell
Except sperm & ova 23 single chromosomes
2. Genotype
Genetic inheritance
3. Phenotype
External manifestation
4. Genes may be dominant or recessive
Prenatal Development
1. Germinal Stage 0-2 wks
zygote
cell diferentiation
embryo
2. Embyonic Stage 3-8 wks
basic body plan
umbilical cord
critical period
teratogens
3. Fetal Stage 9wks- birth
finishing touches
Birth
Drugs and anesthesia increase risk of oxygen deprivation
99% survive 1st month in U.S.
Sleep 70% of the time
Perceptual Capacities of the Newborn
Vision
Limited Hearing
localization
Smell and Taste
Reflexes:
grasping
rooting
sucking
moro
Some Developmental Theories
1. Freud - Psychodynamic theory
First explicit theory of the stages of human psychological development
Specific stages of psycho-sexual development
2. J. Piaget - Development of thought and language (Cognitive development)
Children manipulate their environment, forming mental images
a. Sensorimotor Period 0-2 yrs
* Developments of schemas
* Assimilation
* Accomodation
* Object permanence
b. Preoperational Period 2-7 yrs
* Development of language
* Egocentric
c. Concrete Operations 7-11?
* Logical thought
* Conservation
d. Formal Operations
* Ability to deal with hypothetical problems
3. Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development
Infancy (1st yr) Trust vs Mistrust
Toddler (2nd yr) Autonomy vs Shame & Doubt
Preschool (3-5) Initiative vs Guilt
Elementary (6-9) Competence vs Inferioty
Adolescence Identity vs RoleConfusion
Young Adult (20-40) Intimacy vs Isolation
Middle Adult (40-65) Generativity vs Stagnation
Late Adult (65 -) Integrity vs Despair
Gender Roles
work, appearance, behavior associated with gender
M. Mead (1935)
Sex and temperament in three societies
Socialization - Teach "appropriate" behavior
Sex-typed toys
Picture books
Cognitive Changes in Adulthood
5% of individuals >60 are in nursing
homes
Fluid intelligence
Crystallized intelligence