Developmental Psychology Introduction to the Study of Development & A Look at Physical Development

Development Sequence of age-related changes from conception to death Two Themes – Transition – Continuity

Universals and Specifics Universals Universals: what developments are normal for most people, regardless of their culture, experiences, etc? Specifics: Specifics: what are the variations in development?

Developmental Course Stages – period which patterns of behavior are established and exhibited Developmental Norms - median age which individuals display certain behaviors and abilities

Continuous and Discontinuous Development

The Study of Development 1.Longitudinal Design Observe one group over time 2. Cross-Sectional Design Compare groups of different ages at one time

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT Prenatal, Childhood, Adolescent, & Adult Development

Prenatal Milestones The 40 Weeks of Pregnancy Day 1 First Day Of Period Day 14 Ovulation Day 23 Implantation Day 1- Implantation The Germinal Stage Implantation- Week 10 The Embryonic Stage Week 11- Birth The Fetal Stage Organ Structures Completed Sex Differentiation Growth and Differentiation Week 23 Viability Full-term 38 Weeks Movement

Prenatal Development 9 months from conception to birth – Germinal Stage – Embryonic Stage – Fetal Stage

Germinal Stage First 2 weeks Zygote Cell division 7 th day attaches to uterine wall 1 in 5 pregnancies end here

Embryonic Stage 2 weeks – 2 nd month Embryo Form vital organs (heart, spine, brain)

Fetal Stage 2 months - birth Fetus Rapid body growth Develop sex organs Brain cells multiply Age of Viability – (22-26 weeks)

Teratogens General Principles Effects are dose dependent Effects depend on genetic and health factors Effects vary according to stage of development

F ETAL A LCOHOL S YNDROME Symptoms include low birth weight, face and head abnormalities, slight mental retardation, and behavioral and cognitive problems

REVIEW GERMINAL – Zygote – Rapid Cell Division EMBRYONIC – Embryo – Vital organs FETAL – Muscle, bone, brain, & sex organs – Age of viability

Childhood Brain Development most development occurs in the cortex the brain triples its weight in the first three years following birth. initial burst of development in first year pruning pruning begins after second year and continues through adolescence

Childhood Motor Development

Childhood Physical Development Motor Development – Cephalocaudal Trend head-to-foot – Proximodistal Trend center-outward

Maturation Gradual unfolding of genetic blueprint

Adolescent Physical Development Adolescents – (13 -22) – Pubescence – 2 yr period of physical maturity before puberty Secondary Sex Characteristics – Puberty – begins adolescents Primary Sex Characteristics

Puberty & Physical Development Menarche – 1 st menstruation – Marks Girls’ Puberty Spermarche – 1 st ejaculation – Marks Boys’ Puberty

Teen Brain Immature Prefrontal Cortex – Explains reckless behavior?

Adult Physical Development Lose hair, sight, and hearing Menopause Decline in brain tissue & weight

Adult Physical Development Dementia An abnormal condition marked by multiple cognitive deficits that include memory impairment

Cognitive Development Stage theory of cognitive development – Each stage marks a new “level” of thinking Assimilation Accommodation

Sensorimotor Period Birth- 2 yrs Reflexes to Symbolic Thought Object Permanence – when child recognizes objects continue to exist when no longer visible

Preoperational Period Improved use of symbolic thought Unable to solve conservation problem – Conservation – aware physical properties remain constant, despite shape

Preoperational Period

Problems... – Centration – focus on one aspect of problem – Irreversibility – can’t mentally reverse action – Egocentrism – unable to take another perspective

Preoperational Thought (Egocentrism)

Theory of Mind Ideas & knowledge about how other people’s minds work

Concrete Operational Period Perform operations on tangible objects Ability to “mentally undo” a task (reversibility) Ability to concentrate on more than one aspect of a task (decentration)

Formal Operational Period Think abstractly Think of hypothetical problems Systematic thought

AgeStageDescription 0-2SensorimotorObject Permanence 2-6PreoperationalThey lack the concept of conversation and the abilities of centration, irreversibility, and have egocentric thought 7-11Concrete operations Develop centration and reversibility 11+Formal operations Children begin to reason abstractly