Developmental psychology “From Womb to Tomb” Modules 45-54

45-1 Developmental psychology’s Major Issues Developmental Psychology is a branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, & social change throughout the life span. Issue Details Nature/Nurture How does our genetic inheritance interact with our experiences to influence our development? Continuity/Changes What parts of development are gradual & continuous (like riding an escalator)? What parts change abruptly in separate stages (like climbing a ladder)? Stability/Changes Which of our traits persists through life? How do we change as we age?

“Buns” in the oven Conception Prenatal Development Describe union of sperm & egg Prenatal Development Define stages of prenatal development & how teratogens can impact development The Competent Newborn Describe abilities of newborn & how infant sensory & cognitive abilities are studied

“Babes” in the wood Infancy & Childhood (Physical) Describe brain development Outline 4 events in motor development Explain maturation & memory (why don’t we remember being babies?) Infancy & Childhood (Cognitive) Explain Piaget’s theory & current thinking Autism & other disorders Infancy & Childhood (Social) Define stranger anxiety Discuss the origins & effects of attachment Including discussion of attachment differences & deprivation Trace onset & development of self-concept Compare & contrast different parenting styles

The “Wonder” Years Adolescence (Physical) Adolescence (Cognitive) Define adolescence Identify the major physical changes (i.e. puberty) Adolescence (Cognitive) Describe mental changes (Piaget’s formal operations) Discuss moral development (e.g. Kohlberg) Adolescence (Social) Identify Erikson’s 8 stages & the accompanying issues Explain how search for identify impacts us in this stage Contrast parental & peer influence Discuss characteristics of emerging adulthood

Adulthood Adulthood (Physical) Adulthood (Cognitive) Identify the major physical changes that occur in middle adulthood (e.g. menopause) Compare life expectancies & discuss changes in sensory abilities (e.g. dementia) Adulthood (Cognitive) Assess impact of aging on memory Discuss contributions of cross-sectional & longitudinal studies on developmental psych Adulthood (Social) Explain why path of adulthood need not be linked to actual age Discuss importance of love, marriage, & children in this stage Discuss trends in life satisfaction across life span Discuss range of reactions related to death & dying