Human Development Developmental Psychology Study of physical cognitive social and emotional changes across the life span Developmental Controversies Nature versus Nurture Continuity versus Stages Stability versus Change Activity versus Passivity One versus many courses of development Prenatal Development Zygote Fertilized egg Develops into an embryo Embryo Fetus Teratogens Developing human organism from 2 weeks through second month Developing human organism from 9 weeks to birth Agents that can reach the embryo or fetus and cause harm Drugs ingested by the mother Heavy metals such as lead and mercury Excessive hormones Radiation Pathogens bacteria and viruses The Neonate s Appearance An average neonate is 20 inches long and 7 7 1 2 pounds in weight Head is large in proportion to the rest of the body Limbs are relatively small and tightly flexible Has fontanelle soft spot on top of head Boys tend to be slightly longer and heavier than girls The skin may be covered with vermix Neonatal Sensory Capacities The senses of touch taste smell and sound are well developed at birth Vision is the least mature Focusing ability and visual acuity are limited Neonatal Relfexes Blinking Babinski Grasping Palmar Moro Rooting Stepping Sucking Planter Theory of Cognitive Development Jean Piaget The Sensorimotor Stage 0 2 years Newborn reflexes are building blocks of sensorimotor intelligence Infants explore the environment and build schemes by repeating chance events caused by their own motor activities Circular reactions Piaget proposed 6 sub stages of the Sensorimotor Stage The Sensorimotor Substages Substage 1 Reflexive Activity 0 1 month Substage 2 Primary Circular Reactions 1 4 months Substage 3 Secondary Circular Reactions 4 8 months Substage 4 Coordination of Secondary Circular Reactions 8 12 months Substage 5 Tertiary Circular Reactions 12 18 months Substage 6 Mental Representation 18 24 months Motor Development The development of early motor skills is directly related to the reflexes present at birth Motor control of the head precedes control of arms and trunk which precedes control Head trunk and arm control appear before coordination of hands and fingers of the legs cephalocaudal trend proximodistal trend The first movements are largely uncoordinated and cyclic movements Early motor accomplishments involve Gross motor development large body movements involving large body muscles Sequence of Locomotion Lifting and holding head before torso rolling over sitting crawling creeping walking running Fine Motor Development Voluntary Reaching and Grasping Pre reaching Voluntary reaching Ulnar palmar grasp Pincer grasp Language Development Crying with different meanings Cooing 6 weeks 3 months Babbling 6 10 months Holophrase 10 14 months Telegraphic speech 18 24 months Echolalia 18 30 months Stranger anxiety Fear 6 months Emotional contagion 6 months Social referencing 7 13 months Self conscious emotions 1 3 years Emotional self regulation 2 years Understanding Emotions Activity level Rhythmicity Approach withdrawal Adaptability Sensitivity to stimuli Intensity of reaction Temperament Classifications of Infant Temperament Thomas Chess 1956 General mood Distractibility Attention Span Infant Temperament Types The Easy Child Regualr eating and sleep patterns adapts easily to novel situations smiles at strangers frustrations create a little fuss and then accepted mood is generally positive low or moderate intensity of responses even tempered habits are predictable The Slow to Warm Up Child The Difficult Child Goodness of fit model an effective match between a child s temperament and child rearing practices Social Development Attachment Strong affectional ties that infants feel toward special people Key persons John Bowlby and Mary Aisnworth Characteristics of Attachment Safe haven Secure base Proximity maintenance Separation distress 4 Types of Attachment Secure most stable type Avoidant unattached Ambivalent insecurely attached or resistant Disorganized disoriented insecurely attached and sometimes abused or neglected Factors Influencing Attachment Type Child characteristics Temperament prematurity birth complications genetic disorders Parent caregiver characteristics Caregiver responsiveness sensitivity and consistency in meeting child s needs Caregiver flexibility Psychological well being Parenting style Family circumstances SES marital status marital quality working parents etc
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