Development What are we capable of doing at birth? Sensory capabilities Audition Ability to distinguish phonemes Preference for native language Vision Slightly blurred, double vision at birth Color vision and ability to focus accurately after about 8 weeks Preference for moving and face-like stimuli (particularly if controlled by baby; mobile study) Ability to differentiate odors, tastes, temperature change and position changes at birth. Motor capabilities (infantile reflexes) Eyeblink Babinski - toes fan, then curl when bottom of foot stroked Grasping - when object pressed on palm, fingers close around it Moro – (Startle) if baby dropped short distance or experiences loud noise, arms thrown outward with arched back then arms come together as if grasping Rooting - stroke on side of cheek causes head turn and mouth opening Sucking – sucking when something placed in mouth Stepping/Crawling – rhythmic arm/leg movements when pressure on feet

Psychological development occurs within a context From Maslow (1943)

Cognitive Development Jean Piaget ( ) proposed a four stage theory in which cognitive development occurs through the formation of schemas within a child’s capabilities. Schemas are mental blueprints for a class of actions that can be performed in the environment. Two processes are involved in changing schemas (Adaptation) Assimilation – new experiences are incorporated into existing schemas Accommodation – and existing schema is changed in response to a new experience

Video Funny Object Permanence Video Video Theory of Mind Video

Piaget’s Conservation Tasks

Piaget may have underestimated: Even in the sensorimotor stage, infants can still demonstrate higher cognitive processing Math at 5 months old (Wynn, 1992) 3D Object Coherence at 4 months old (Shuwairi et al., 2007)

TED Talks: Development Alison Gopnik – What do babies think?What do babies think? Rebecca Saxe – How we read each other’s mindsHow we read each other’s minds Patricia Kuhl – The linguistic genius of babiesThe linguistic genius of babies Sarah-Jayne Blakemore – The mysterious workings of the adolescent brainThe mysterious workings of the adolescent brain Writing Prompt I.List six methods of investigation that are mentioned from any of the videos. a. What was being investigated through the use of the methods? II.Did you find anything surprising about the topics or findings discussed in the videos?.

Vygotsky introduced the idea of the zone of proximal development (ZPD): involving the influence of social interaction on cognitive development

How do social interactions contribute to development? Attachment Behaviors Bowlby (1969) developed the idea of an ‘Attachment Behavioral System’ to explain the effect of social interactions on development. - theory based on evolutionary considerations rather than a psychosexual (Freud) perspective - influenced by imprinting behaviors (Lorenz, 1937) Harlow (1971) was influenced by Bowlby in his investigations into attachment behaviors in monkeys. Ainsworth (1979) developed the Strange Situation Test after being a student of Harlow’s

Findings from Ainsworth’s Strange Situation Test Children exhibit one of the following attachment patterns of behavior Secure (responsive, caring caregiver) –the attachment figure is a safe base for exploration –seek out attachment figure when distressed –distress when separated from attachment figure –easily comforted upon return of attachment figure Insecure – avoidant (insensitive and or rejecting caregiver) –do not orient to attachment figure when exploring new environments –do not seek contact with attachment figure when distressed Insecure – ambivalent/resistant (inconsistent caregiver) –clingy and dependent behavior in presence of attachment figure –rejection of attachment figure upon interaction –difficult to soothe upon return of caregiver Disorganized (Main, 1990) (fearful, neglectful and/or abusive caregiver) –stereotyped behaviors upon return of caregiver –contradictory behavior upon return of caregiver Video Your attachment behaviors and experiences during childhood influence and are predictive of your attachments as you get older But … all attachment patterns are changeable!

Erik Erikson developed his psychosocial theory of development after training under Anna Freud and learning about the Montessori approach