PSYC 1040: Developmental Psychology Week 6: October 12, 2011 Early Childhood Development

Test #1 Class Average 79.7% or 28.7 / 36 Grade Distribution 14/36 to 36/36 7 Individuals received 36/36 16 Individuals got 30+ / 36 which is 42% of the class

Test #1 Questions that were the most challenging were: #4 What is a cohort: A group of individuals who share the same historical experience at the same time in their lives. (p.11) #5 Developmental psychologists study age-related changes therefore the timing of experiences is of interest #16 Pavlov’s classical conditioning study. Salivation is a natural response, therefore, food is the unconditioned (unlearned, natural) stimulus; salivation is an unconditional (unlearned, natural) response. (p.39) #28 Studying a child’s family, neighbourhood and school to understand a child’s development would be an external model #30 Psychoanalytic theory based on the concept that internal drives and emotions influence behaviour.

Test #1 Terminology: Intrinsic motivation or reinforcement: exists within the individual rather than relying on external pressure. Scheme: an internal cognitive structure that provides an individual with a procedure to follow in a specific circumstance (p.43) Accommodation: changing a scheme as a result of new information (p. 43) Assimilation: process of using schemes to make sense of events or experiences (p. 43)

Test #1 Theory vs. Hypothesis Theories are sets of statements that propose general principles of development. Help us look at facts from different perspectives Hypothesis are predictions that can be tested. Theories produce hypothesis.

Test #1 Lifespan Perspective: Development encompasses the entire human lifespan and that changes happen throughout the entire human lifespan and that these changes must be interpreted in light of the culture and context in which they occur (p. 8).

Early Childhood Classroom Activity Working in groups you will go through a parenting magazine looking for the message that is being portrayed about early childhood development. Look at both editorial content and advertising. What themes emerge? Is the message positive / negative / neutral? Does the magazine deal with the “whole” child? Who does the magazine target? Give examples of how recreation & leisure is acknowledged in this magazine. Once your group has carefully reviewed your magazine, trade it with another group and perform your analysis on the new magazine. Prepare a brief 5 to 10 minute presentation to report your findings to the rest of the class.

Early Childhood Classroom Activity What did we learn? Did anything in these magazines surprise you? Is there a parenting style / behaviour that is promoted? What, if anything did you learn about early childhood development?