Professor Roberts Developing Through the Life Span Chapter 3: Introduction

Introduction The general course of development is the pattern of movement or change that begins at conception and continues through the lifespan. We will explore the concept of development and discuss reasons why the study of lifespan development is important. Characteristics of the lifespan perspective: Growth and development are dramatic during the first two decades of life, but development is not something that happens to just children and adolescents. Traditionally researchers emphasized extensive change from birth to adolescence, little or no change in adulthood, and decline in old age. However, a great deal of change does occur in the decades after adolescence.

Introduction 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.

Introduction 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)

Introduction Researchers usually divide development into six periods, or life stages: Prenatal period: conception to birth – The most rapid time of change, whereby the one-celled organism is transformed into a human baby. Infancy and toddlerhood: birth to 2yrs – dramatic changes in the body and brain. Infancy spans the first year, toddlerhood the second. 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 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. Adolescence: 11 to 18 yrs – initiates transition to adulthood; puberty; thought becomes abstract and idealistic; autonomy from family and define personal values and goals. Emerging adulthood: 18 to 25 yrs – they’ve moved beyond adolescence; intensified exploration in love, career, and personal values prior to making enduring commitments.

Introduction Biological, cognitive, and Socio emotional processes: Biological processes produce changes in an individual's physical nature. Cognitive processes referred to changes in an individual's thinking, intelligence, and language. Socio emotional processes involved changes in the individuals relationships with other people, changes any motions, and changes in personality.

Domains of Development Introduction 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

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

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

Introduction 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

Introduction Four conceptions of age: Age has been conceptualized in various ways: not just chronological age but also as biological age, psychological age, and social age. Chronological age is the number of years that have elapsed since birth. Chronological age is not the only way of measuring age, there are different ways of thinking about age. Biological age is a persons age in terms of biological health. Biological age involves knowing the functional capabilities of a persons vital organs.

Introduction Psychological age is an individuals adaptive capacity's compared with those of other individuals of the same chronological age. Older adults who continue to learn, are motivated, and think clearly engage in more adaptive behaviors then there chronological age mates who do not do these things. Social age refers to connectedness with others and the social roles individual adopt. Individuals who have better social relationships with others are happier and more likely to live longer than individuals who are lonely.

Introduction An example of an overall age profile of an individual: A 70-year-old man, chronological age, might be in good physical health, biological age, but might be experiencing memory problems and having trouble coping with the demands placed on him by his wife's recent hospitalization, psychological age, and dealing with the lack of social support, social age.

Introduction Contemporary concerns and lifespan development include: Health and well-being Parenting in education Socio-cultural context and diversity Within context and diversity four concepts are especially useful: Culture Ethnicity Socioeconomic status Gender

Introduction Culture encompasses the behavior patterns, believes, and all other products of a particular group of people that are passed on from generation to generation. Ethnicity is rooted in cultural heritage, nationality, race, religion, and language. African-Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, Native Americans, European Americans, and Arab-Americans are a few examples of broad ethnic groups in the United States. Diversity exists within each ethnic group. Socio economic status (SES) refers to a person’s position within society based on occupational, educational, and economic characteristics. Gender, characteristics of people as females and males, is an important aspect of socio-cultural context. Gender is central to our identity and social relationships.