Developmental PsychologyDr. Erin YosaiJanuary 27, 2015Introduction School psychology – Clinical psychology combined with educational concepts Self-identified “detectives,” they try to figure out why children aren’t succeeding Have to look at ALL aspects of a child’s life What is development? Development – Physical and psychological changes in the individual over a lifetime. Developmental psychology – The systematic and scientific study of changes in human behaviors and mental activities over time. Key phrase: Over time Changes are quick and impressive- Ex. Newborn babies Studies the “how’s and why’s” of development Works towards the enhancement of development Developmental Science – The interdisciplinary field of research concerned with studies and explanations of human development Interdisciplinary – biological, social, cultural Theories – Sets of ideas or propositions that help to organize or explain observable phenomena A good theory goes beyond description and explanation It leads to predictions about behavior This class uses theories for each part of a lifespan and combines theories to study development Social Policy – Programs and plans established by local, regional, or national public and private organizations and agencies Designed to achieve a particular social purpose or goal Put in place to enhance development of people in our society Ex. No child left behind, maternity/paternity leave, domestic violence programs, seatbelt use Large range of policies Five Major Themes in Developmental Psychology Nature/Nurture Debate: The theoretical controversy over whether development is the result of the child’s genetic endowment or environmental influences Children are active participants in the process of their own development Philosophers (3000 B.C.)- Plato – We’re born with all of our knowledge Life is about unlocking inner knowledge This is also called Nativism- Aristotle – Tabula Rasa We are blank slates We are shaped by surroundings This is called Empiricism- Genetics and environment both influence our development Ex. Dr. Yosai was drawn to teaching because she was raised in an environment whereeducation was important (Parents were teachers.) Sociocultural Context Children grow up in a large social community- Family and peers Culture – Customs, values and beliefs about the proper way to rear children and the ultimategoals for their development- Ex. Dr. Yosai is studying “where you grew up” and its effects on development Continuous vs. Discontinuous Continuous – New attainments in thinking, language, and social behavior are characterized by gradual, steady, small quantitative advances Discontinuous – A child’s progress is explained in terms of a series of stages- Abrupt or rapid changes resulting in a dramatic reorganization in how children perceive, think, feel or behave are interpreted as qualitative advances in development- Sigmund Freud’s 5 Stages of Development Oral – Infancy This is why babies shove things in their mouths Anal – Toddlers Potty-training Phallic – Pre K Girls have cooties, boys are icky, etc. Latent – 6 to 11 Not a lot going on, more focused on learning and playing Genital – Puberty Feels- Different development at different times Interaction - How do the various domains of development interact? The ultimate aim is to understand the child as a whole individual, not just someone who undergoes physical, perceptual, emotional, cognitive or social development No single component of development unfolds in isolation from the rest All themes of development and all parts of development contribute to the person Risk or Resilience Children are exposed to various benefits and risks during development- Disease exposure, abuse, divorce, war, etc. Resilient children seem to most effectively resist the negative consequences of risk- Have a constellation of individual qualities that include a relatively relaxed, self-confidentcharacter School Psychologists have to look at every part of a child’s life to solve a problem- Ex. 16 year old living in poverty, living in a hotel, with family health issues ends up with depression Risk factors outweighed resilience
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