Module 13: Developmental Issues, Prenatal Development, and the Newborn

nature and nurture change and stability continuity vs. stages How do genes and experience guide development over our lifespan? In what ways do we change as we age, and in what ways do we stay the same? Issues in Developmental Psychology Is development a gradual change or are there some leaps to a new way of thinking or behaving?

Continuity vs. Stages Researchers who see development as a function of experience tend to see development as continuous and gradual. Nurture is continuous. Researchers who focus on biological maturation see spurts of growth and other changes that make one stage of development very different from another. Nature has stages.

Stages and Continuity  Three different types of development-- cognitive, moral, and psychosocial--have been running in parallel.  Are they really separate stages, or a continuous process of development?

Starting the Path to Personhood: Prenatal Development and the Newborn Conception Prenatal Development The Competent Newborn

In the beginning: Sperm and egg unite to bring genetic material together and form one organism: the zygote (the fertilized cell). Conception

The Zygote Stage: First 10 to 14 Days  After the nuclei of the egg and sperm fuse, the cell divides in 2, 4, 8, 16, 100, 1000…  Milestone of the zygote stage: cells begin to differentiate into specialized locations and structures 9GE_eaMSs#aid=P-oU2q-yPJkwww.youtube.com/watch?v=4l 9GE_eaMSs#aid=P-oU2q-yPJk Prenatal Development Implantation: The Embyro, 2 to 8 weeks  This stage begins with the multicellular cluster that implants in the uterine wall.  Milestone of the implantation stage: differentiated cells develop into organs and bones Embryo

The Fetus At nine weeks, hands and face have developed; the embryo is now called a fetus (“offspring”). Placenta Month – 4 5 ¼ ounces – 5-7 inches Many more features develop Finger-foot prints Mother may feel movement Can swallow amniotic fluid More human Temporary hair – Lanugo Bones harder

Fetal Life: The Dangers Dangers Teratogens (“monster makers”) are substances such as viruses and chemicals that can damage the developing embryo or fetus. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) refers to cognitive, behavioral, and body/brain structure abnormalities caused by exposure to alcohol in the fetal stage.

Month 5 - about 1lb – 7-9 inches Sucking, swallowing motion Mother definitely feels movement Baby is in fetal position (less room) Sweat glands functioning Ears well developed, can recognize sound Makes faces Skin covered with white substance called Vernix Sleeps/wakes

6 th month 2lbs – over a foot long Fat develops Eyes well developed – open and close to light Skin wrinkled Vocal cords functioning Hiccups Strong grip – can grab cord 8Wnowww.youtube.com/watch?v=BqHH62M 8Wno

7 th month 3lbs – 16 inches Fingernails, toenails Brain and respiratory system have matured – brain growth dramatic Lanugo starts to disappear, on back and shoulders Eyelashes present Skin pink and smooth Lungs begin to function

8 th month 9 th month 5-6 lbs – inches - 7-9lbs 19-21inches Lungs approach maturity Little room Plums, less wrinkled Head settled down More weight gain Skin turns whitish pink Best chance of survival bh4www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfgq7WiH bh4

Fetal life: Responding to Sounds  Fetuses in the womb can respond to sounds.  Fetuses can learn to recognize and adapt to sounds that they previously heard only in the womb.  Fetuses can habituate to annoying sounds, becoming less agitated with repeated exposure.

After the fetal period, the child is born!

Inborn Skills Newborns have reflexes to ensure that they will be fed.  The rooting reflex--when something touches a newborn’s cheek, the infant turns toward that side with an open mouth.  The sucking reflex can be triggered by a fingertip.  Crying when hungry is the newborn talent of using just the right sounds to motivate parents to end the noise and feed the baby. Reflexes are responses that are inborn and do not have to be learned. The Competent Newborn

More Inborn Abilities  Newborns (one hour old!) will look twice as long at the image on the left.  What can we conclude from this behavior?

Stability and Change Are we essentially the same person over long periods? Some answers from research:  In general, temperament seems stable.  Traits can vary, especially attitudes, coping strategies, work habits, and styles of socializing.  Personality seems to stabilize with age. Stability helps us form identity, while the potential for change gives us control over our lives.