Developing Through the Lifespan AKA: Developmental Psychology Myers Chapter 4: Physical Cognitive Social

In the Womb… Zygote- Embryo- Fetus- Birth (Infant) Genetic (Down Syndrome) and environmental factors affect development in the womb: Nutrients vs. teratogens (fetal alcohol syndrome)

Infancy and Early Childhood NEWBORNS Born with survival mechanisms: rooting, and facial identification. Knows its mother’s smell within days Recognizes mother’s voice by 3-weeks. Habituation: can distinguish colors, shapes, and sounds

Infancy and Early Childhood The brain- neural networks are established in the womb, BUT have rapid growth after birth. Ages 3 – 6 the frontal lobe rapidly develop- enables rational planning. Association areas of the cortex (thinking, memory and language) develop last Maturation- biological process of growth accounts for commonalities

Motor development commonalities Universal sequence- varying timing. ▫Roll over before sitting ▫Creep before walking Genetic role- identical twins often on same day Experience- little effect for physical skills

The magic age… 3.5 At this age language areas of the cortex have developed This is why memories before age 3 are unreliable… there is not language to translate those memories into.

Schema Schemas- concepts or frameworks that we use to organize and interpret new experiences ▫Assimilate- interpreting a new experience in terms of our current schema (all 4-legged animals are dogs) ▫Accommodate- adjusting our current understanding to incorporate new information.

Jean Piaget- Cognitive Development Sensorimotor- birth to 2- experience world through senses and actions. Object permanence- things still exist even when out of sight… around 8 months of age.

“I am the center of the world” Preoperational stage- until age 6 or 7 Egocentric- can not perceive from another’s point of view (DOES NOT MEAN SELFISH) Lack “theory of mind” or ability to read another’s intentions or mental state ▫Remember the moving doll experiment!

Concrete Operational Stage Ages 6-7 Logical thinking about concrete events, analogies, mathematical operations Conservation- quantity remains the same despite changes in shape- develops during this stage

Formal Operational Stage By age 12 Abstract thinking: imagined realities and symbols. If-then logical reasoning, hypotheticals

Social Development Attachment bond- survival- keep close to caregivers- not only b/c they provide nourishment, but body contact (Harlow) Familiarity leads to attachment development Imprinting- humans don’t “imprint” we attached to what they know Critical period- generally by age 2 1/2

Attachment SecureInsecure Sensitive, responsive parents Some genetic influence on temperament When left will be distressed, but soon play and then seek parent attention when they return Erik Erickson- Basic Trust- the world is sensible and reliable- is a result Insensitive and unresponsive parenting style Less likely to explore their surroundings, cry and remain upset when parent leaves May be indifferent to the coming or going Adult relationships tend to reflect the attachment style of early childhood.

Parenting Style Authoritarian Impose rules Expect obedience “Because I said so” PermissiveAuthoritative Submit to child’s desires make few demands Few rules and punishments Demanding and responsive – set rules but discuss Develops high self esteem, self- reliance, and social competence Correlation is not causation

Kohlberg’s Moral Ladder As moral development progresses, the focus of concern moves from the self to the wider social world. SAME AS COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT! Morality of abstract principles: to affirm agreed-upon rights and personal ethical principles Morality of law and social rules: to gain approval or avoid disapproval Morality of self-interest: to avoid punishment or gain concrete rewards Conventional level Pre-conventional level Post- conventional level

Adolescence Physical Development Puberty- begins ▫Around age 12 for girls and 14 for boys Early maturation is good for boys and more stressful for girls

Erikson- Childhood Stages Infancy (to 1 year): trust vs. mistrust Toddlerhood (1 – 2 years) Autonomy vs. shame and doubt Preschooler (3 – 5)Initiative vs. guilt

Erikson- School-age Stages Elementary school (6 yrs to puberty) Competence vs. Inferiority Adolescence (teens into 20’s) Identity vs. Role Confusion ▫Role confusion is typical- and identity (comfortable sense of self) is evolving. ▫Erikson believed that a clear and comfortable identity is necessary for establishing close relationships.

Erikson Stages- The Later Years Young Adulthood ( 20’s to early 40’s) Intimacy vs. Isolation Middle Adulthood (40’s to 60’s) Generativety vs. Stagnation Late Adulthood (60’s +) Integrity vs. despair

Adulthood Physical Changes Muscular strength reaction time, sensory keenness, and cardiac output peek at mid 20 ▫accelerated during middle adulthood. Life expectancy is around 80 years (49 in 1950) ▫In later life short term illnesses are fewer, but life threatening illnesses are more evident ▫Brains remain healthy, except in Alzheimer's patients

Adulthood and intelligence Recognition is easier than recall- ability to recognize lists of words remains consistent. Capacity to learn and remember is effected less than verbal recall. * the older the person, the more reminder cues they may need.

Age and intelligence Fluid intelligence (ability to reason quickly and abstractly) declines with age especially in late adulthood Crystallized intelligence (accumulated knowledge and verbal skills) increases up to old age

Life Satisfaction Teenagers- experience highs and lows, recover in about one hour Adults- moods are less extreme and more enduring Older adults- less intense joy but more contentment and spirituality All ages report feelings of happiness and satisfaction with life. As we age we experience less excitement, intense pride, but also less depression