Human development

Prenatal - Newborn Development

Conception Sperm penetrates an ova – Zygote –Complete set of genetic instructions –<50% of zygotes survive

Prenatal development Germinal period (zygote) - first 14 days –Zygote implants on day 10 Embryonic period - 3rd through 8th weeks Fetal period - 9th week through birth –Fetus is born ~week 37

Prenatal behavior Neurons are present, not connected Prenatal reflexes strengthen neural connections –Sensory reflexes –Facial expressions –Response to sound and light

Prenatal development Genes and environment influence development

Genetic Sex Determination The 23rd pair of chromosomes determines sex. – The ova carries an X chromosome – The sperm sometimes carries an X and sometimes carries a Y chromosome.

Genetic Inheritance Additive genes Nonadditive (Dominant-recessive) genes

Environmental influence Teratogens –Outcomes –Timing of exposure –Predicting outcomes?

Newborn behavior Sensory behavior –Sight –Sound –Smell Reflexes - innate behaviors –Rooting –Crying –Palmer –Moro

Infancy - Childhood 0-12 years

Physical development Brain development –Neural connections –Motor development –Cognitive development

Cognitive development Thinking, remembering & intellectual capacity Based on experience Schemas –Assimilation –Accommodation

Cognitive development Piaget’s theory of cognitive development –Sensorimotor stage 0-2 years –Preoperational stage 2-6 years –Concrete operational stage 6-12 years –Formal operational stage 12 years-adult

Cognitive development Sensorimotor stage –Object permanence –Some abstract thought

Cognitive development Preoperational stage –Representational thought Imagination –Lacks logical thought Conservation –Obstacles to logical thought Egocentrism Centration Static reasoning Irreversibility –Theory of Mind

Cognitive development Concrete operational stage –Logical principles develop Classification Identity Reversibility –Lacks hypothetical thought

Cognitive development Formal operational stage –Reasoning abilities develop Abstract thought Hypothetical contemplation

Social development Attachment Development of bonds –Bodily contact and tactile comfort Harlow

Social development Development of bonds –Familiarity Lorenz’s imprinting studies Critical period Human bonding

Social development Attachment styles –Secure attachment –Ambivalent-insecure attachment –Avoidant-insecure attachment

Social development Parenting styles –Permissive parenting –Authoritarian parenting –Authoritative parenting

Adolescence - emerging adulthood Teens - mid-twenties

Physical development Onset of puberty –Gap between physical maturity and independence Release of hormones from hypothalamus –Weight –Height –Muscles

Physical development Sexual development –Primary sex structures Menarchy Spermarchy –Secondary sex structures Timing varies among individuals –Early developers –Late developers

Physical development Brain development continues –Frontal cortex Sleep and circadian rhythms

Cognitive development Formal operational thought –Abstract thought, hypothetical reasoning –Social awareness Adolescent thought patterns –What I am thinking Egocentric thought –What others are thinking Imaginary audience –Ideal situations

Cognitive development Intuitive thought Analytical thought –Together support adolescent ideals and passions

Cognitive development Kohlberg’s development of moral reasoning –Preconventional morality –Conventional morality –Postconventional morality Varies based on culture and gender

Social development Identity formation –Solidification of beliefs –Multiple selves Acceptable false self Pleasing false self Experimental false self

Social development Parents –Generation gap –Conflict Peers –Friendship –Peer-pressure –Romantic attraction Sequence of attraction Cultural variables

Social development Emerging adulthood (18-25 years) –Independence is delayed –Parents are the main source of support

Adulthood Biopsychosocial development continues until death

Physical development Physical performance - peaks and declines –Motor abilities –Sensory abilities Reproductive capacity –Females –Males

Cognitive development Brain function slows –Cognitive abilities diminish with age May be prevented with exercise! –Fluid intelligence Memory declines –Recall memory vs. recognition memory –Crystallized intelligence

Social development Social clock –Culturally determined

Social development List 5 of your own major accomplishments. List 5 of your own major goals. Count how many from both lists are related to relationships and career.

Social development “A healthy adult is one who can love and work” - Freud Adulthood is characterized by commitments –Love –Work

Social development Love and intimacy –Gateways to attraction Attractiveness Availability Absence of exclusion criteria Frequent exposure –Romantic relationships are based on: Passion Intimacy Commitment

Social development Work and productivity Two major sources of generativity in adulthood: –Work –Parenthood