Developmental Psychology-Infancy and Childhood

Developmental Psychology The study of YOU from womb to tomb! A branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive and social changes throughout the lifespan.

Developmental Psychology Two BIG Issues 1. Nature vs. Nurture 2. Stages vs. Continuity

Nature vs Nurture While going through this unit always keep in the back of your head…. Are you who you are because of: The way you were born- Nature? The way you were raised- Nurture?

Stages vs Continuity Does change occur smoothly over time? – Continuity Or through a series of predetermined steps? – Stages Are there stages in which skills emerge at certain points of development?

Developmental Psychology There are three types of development we will study… 1.physical development 2.cognitive development 3.social development

1. Physical Development Focus on our physical changes over time.

Physical Development Maturation – Biological growth processes that enable orderly changes in behavior, relatively uninfluenced by experience. –Physical growth, regardless of the environment. –Although the timing of our growth may be different, the sequence is almost always the same.

2. Cognitive Development Focus on how our thought process develops –Thinking –Communicating –Learning

3. Social Development Focus on interactions with others –Relationships –How we act around others

Infant and Childhood Development newborn: birth – 1 monthnewborn: birth – 1 month infant: 1 month – 2 yearsinfant: 1 month – 2 years childhood: 2-12childhood: 2-12

1-Physical Development: Healthy Newborns Turn head towards voices. See 8 to 12 inches from their faces. Gaze longer at human like objects right from birth.

Physical Development: Motor Skills Infants do not LEARN these skills, it is part of maturation…

Physical Development: Infant Motor Development Sequence the same- but once again, timing varies. First learn to roll over, sit up unsupported, crawl, walk etc… Maturation sets course of dev. Experience adjusts it

Physical Development: Reflexes Inborn automatic responses. Rooting Sucking Grasping Moro (startle) Babinski (soles/toes)

2-Cognitive Development It was once thought that kids were just stupid versions of adults. Then came along Jean Piaget –Kids learn differently than adults

Cognitive Development Jean Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development –Intelligence & the ability to understand develops gradually as the child grows –Young children think differently than older children and adults –4 stages

Piaget’s Stages of Cognitive Development 1.Sensorimotor 2.Preoperational 3.Concrete operational 4.Formal operational

Stages of Cognitive Development Stage 1- Sensorimotor Stage Experience the world through our senses & actions. Object permanence* begins to develop after 6 months. Age 0-2 *the awareness that things continue to exist even when we can’t perceive them. **shaking a rattle, banging on toys, banging on tray or high chair

no object permanence yet!

Stages of Cognitive Development Stage 2-Preoperational Stage Age 2-7 Have object permanence Begin to use language to represent objects and ideas Egocentrism- inability to look at the world through anyone’s eyes but their own. Do NOT understand concept of conservation. Animism-belief that inanimate objects are living, just like the kid. –Popularity of cartoons

Stages of Cognitive Development Preoperational Stage Conservation - idea that a quantity remains the same despite changes in appearance –part of logical thinking.

Stages of Cognitive Development Stage 3-Concrete Operational Stage 7-11 years old Understand concept of conservation. Decrease in egocentrism Can think logically, use analogies, and perform mathematical transformations.

Stages of Cognitive Development Stage 4-Formal Operational Stage What would the world look like with no sun light? Picture god What way do you best learn? Age 12-adulthood Abstract reasoning Manipulate objects in our minds without seeing them Hypothesis testing Trial and Error Not every adult gets to this stage

Cognitive Development- The development of moral reasoning Lawrence Kohlberg- Presented children, teens, and adults with a dilemma—whether a person should steal medicine to save a loved one’s life. He claimed that we pass through 3 basic levels (with 2 stages each) of moral thinking.

Cognitive Development- The development of moral reasoning 1.Pre-conventional Moral Reasoning – –Before age 9, base judgment on consequences 2.Conventional Moral Reasoning – –By early adolescence/teens, base judgment on whether act conforms to conventional standards of right and wrong. 3.Post-conventional Moral Reasoning – –Base judgment on one’s personal values, not conventional standards.

“Critical Point” The Story of Genie