Professor Roberts Intro to Psychology Professor Roberts Intro to Psychology Chapter 3: Developing Through the Life Span

Nature vs Nurture Nature – inborn biological/hereditary/genetic information from our parents at the moment of conception. Nurture – complex forces of the physical and social world that influence our biological makeup and psychological experiences before and after birth. Identify nature and nurture: Do children acquire language because they are genetically predisposed to do so or because parents intensively teach them from an early age? Contexts: unique combinations of genetic and environmental circumstances that can result in different paths of change. Different circumstances result in very different cognitive, social skills, and feelings about the self and others.

Development During infancy a baby grows from newborn to toddler, during childhood, from toddler to teenager - We all develop along this path Maturation: biological growth processes leading to orderly changes in behavior, independent of experience (we stand before we walk) Some experiences (severe deprivation or abuse) can throw us off our path and slow development. Others, such as having caregivers who talk and read to us, can speed us on our way Critical Period: a period early in life when exposure to certain stimuli or experiences is needed for proper development (e.g. exposure to language/visual stimulation)

Life Stages Infancy Toddlerhood Early childhood Childhood Adolescence Early adulthood Middle age Old age

Introduction Questions to Consider: In what ways are children’s experiences (home, school, etc.) the same today as they were in the past, and in what ways are they different? How is the infant’s and young child’s perception of the world the same as adult’s, and how is it different? How does cultural change (working moms, child care, smaller families, and technology) affect a child’s characteristics and skills?

Three Domains of Development 1st Domain of Development: Physical Domain changes in body size Proportions Appearance functioning of body systems Motor skills perceptual abilities physical health

Three Domains of Development 2 nd Domain of Development Cognitive Domain changes in intellectual abilities (attention and memory) Academic knowledge everyday knowledge problem solving Imagination Creativity Language

Three Domains of Development 3 rd Domain of Development: Emotional/Social Domain emotional communication self-understanding knowledge about other people interpersonal skills Friendships intimate relationships moral reasoning behavior

Domains of Development The domains are not viewed as distinct or separate They combine in an integrated and holistic way Each domain influences and is influenced by the others How does the physical domain influence emotional domain? Examples (e.g. new motor skills influence self- understanding) Provide examples

Early Periods of Development Researchers usually divide child development into five periods: 1.Prenatal period: conception to birth – The most rapid time of change, whereby the one-celled organism is transformed into a human baby. 2.Infancy and toddlerhood: birth to 2yrs – dramatic changes in the body and brain. Infancy spans the first year, toddlerhood the second. 3.Early childhood: 2 to 6 yrs – body becomes leaner and longer, motor skills are refined, more self-control and self-sufficiency, make- believe/play; language; sense of morality; establish peers.

Early Periods of Development 4.Middle childhood: 6 to 11 yrs – improved athletic abilities, organized games w/ rules, more logical thought processes; mastery of basic literacy skills, and advances in self-understanding, morality, and friendships. 5.Adolescence: 11 to 18 yrs – initiates transition to adulthood; puberty; thought becomes abstract and idealistic; autonomy from family and define personal values and goals. 6.Emerging adulthood: 18 to 25 yrs – they’ve moved beyond adolescence; intensified exploration in love, career, and personal values prior to making enduring commitments.

Reflection – Writing Assignment 2 pages; typed; 12 font; Times New Roman; double spaced Think about an aspect of your development that differs from a parent’s when he or she was your age. How do contexts (circumstances) explain differences? Views regarding the roles of men and women Jobs – were they different for men and women? Were there stay-at-home dads? Focus in school on boys or girls in math and science? Communication styles – did men communicate differently than women? How were same sex couples treated/viewed? How were bi-racial couples treated/viewed? ASSIGNMENT DUE: 9/15/15