Developmental Psychology Universal aspects of lifespan development from conception through death Identifies cultural variations Explores physical cognitive social and emotional development Looks at elements of continuity and change over time Prenatal Development Germinal Phase conception 2 weeks Zygote Placenta structure that allows oxygen and nutrients to pass into fetus from mother s bloodstream allows waste to pass out Embryonic Stage 2 8 weeks Head face and neck develop Buds for limbs form and grow Major organs digestive system differentiating Heartbeat begins Fetal Stage 8th week birth 3rd month digestive organs begin to function buds for teeth form sex organs develop rapidly arms fingers move 4th month face looks human lower body outgrows head bones are defined 5th month fingernails and toenails appear Lanugo fine wooly hair over body Vernix waxy coating collects 6th month eyebrows lashes well defined eyes completely formed 7th month fetus capable of life outside uterus age of viability has changed and now considered to be 24 used to be 27 28 8th 9th month fat is deposited for later use fingernails beyond fingertips lanugo is shed myelination of brain takes place in the chief organs increase fetal stage functioning vernix covers body Physical and Motor Development Cephalocaudal top to bottom motor skills emerge from head to feet Proximodistal inside to outside rule motor skills emerge in a sequence of center moving outward Teratogens harmful toxins that affect development resulting in defect damage or anomaly Important concepts with teratogens Dose Genetics Heredity stability Interaction with environmental influences stress nutrition lack of medical Age of organism at exposure Teratogenic Agents Drugs or Chemicals Increased understanding of the role of prenatal exposure to drugs on the developing child Thalidomide helped identify how certain drugs could alter development Stress prolonged stress linked with prematurity and low birth weight Smoking mild stimulant increases fetal activity low birth weight perceptual and attentional problems incresed SIDS suddent infant death syndrome Marijuana low birthweight disturbed sleep in newborns reduced attention to environment Heroin premature birth weight tremulous behavior poor sleep poor sucking and feeding risk of SIDS Cocaine crack babies premature size weight tremulous high pitched crying respiratory regurgitation problems rigidity withdrawal symptoms deformities Comorbidity abuse of multiple substances likely Alcohol Leading teratogen in the United States causing mental retardation Physical Symptoms growth retardation head and facial abnormalities microcephaly skeletal brain and heart damage Behavioral Symptoms poor impulse control poor attention hyperactivity and cognitive deficits Fetal Alcohol Effects some symptoms of FAS but less physical symptoms ARND Paternal age may be a factor in birth defects and or certain developmental disabilities Reflexes and sensory abilities of newborns infants Vision Poor fixation ability limited ability to discriminate color estimated visual acuity of between 20 200 and 20 400 preference for human faces Hearing fetus can hear sounds around 6 months in utero Recognize mother s voice Taste and Smell both present at birth preference for sweet Touch heat cold pressure and pain all present at birth Reflexes inborn automatic responses to a particular form of stimulation Rooting reflex survival value stroke cheek and baby will turn head toward the simulation Stepping reflex basis for complex motor skills with bare feet touching floor infant will mimic a stepping response disappears around 2 months Sucking reflex place a finger in mouth and baby will suck permits feeding Eyeblink reflex shine a bright light or clap they will close eyelids Protects from strong stimulation Babinski Reflex stroke the heel to see reactions of the toes which flex fan out normal in infants if persists can indicate neurological problems Gross and Fine Motor Development Individual Differences exist normative expectations for these skills and abilities often called milestones Ages 2 3 Gross Motor walk rhythmically jump hop push a riding toy with feet Fine Motor remove simple clothing items start to use a spoon Ages 3 4 Gross Motor walks upstairs alternating catches ball by trapping in chest rides a tricycle Fine Motor fasten unfasten large buttons uses scissors copies lines circles draws tadpole person Ages 4 5 Gross Motor walks downstairs alternating feet runs smoothly catches tricycle Fine Motor uses a fork cuts with scissors on lines copies triangles and some letters Ages 5 6 Gross Motor increases running speed true skipping ride bicycle Fine Motor uses knife to cut food tie shoes draw 6 part person copies words and numbers Universal elements of gross fine development Gender Differences boys ahead of girls in force and power girls ahead in fine motor and gross motor skills which involve good balance Temperament relatively constant basic disposition which is inherent in a person that underlies and modulates his her behavior Thomas and Chess identified three basic temperaments for infants difficult slow to warm and easy Difficult 10 often wail cry and are negative in new situations eat and sleep irregularly Slow to Warm Up 15 often inactive adapt slowly and can be withdrawn and show a negative mood Easy 40 cheerful adaptable easy establish routines Mixture 35 Goodness of Fit the match between the characteristics of the infant and his her family is critical to development Some are better matches than others Kagan found that infants who react fearfully to novel stimuli tend to be more subdued less social and less positive at 4 years of age Attachment the affectional bond between an infant and its caretaker Studied by Ainsworth in her attachment paradigm still being used today The strange situation allows researchers to assess attachment relationships Basic premises regarding attachment Infants express their wish to be attached by wishing to be close to their caretaker and showing signs of distress when their caretaker departs This emotional upset is called separation anxiety Stranger Anxiety develops when infants are around 6 7 months ending around 18 months If a stranger approaches the infant becomes afraid and reaches for the caregiver for comfort and reassurance Design and Structure of the Strange Situation Based on Ainsworth s research there are 4 types of attachment patterns Securely Attached child uses the parent as a