Human Development Debate Questions 1 Nature 2 Critical Periods Genetics pre programed versus Nurture Environment blank slate necessary that it happens versus Sensitive Periods most easily happens Research Techniques must answer questions that involve across time component 1 Cross sectional 2 Longitudinal 3 Cross sequential different age groups assessed one time easiest but has problems one group assessed across time period best but most difficult several age groups across shorter time period I Stages of Prenatal physical development 1 2 3 Zygote Germinal period fertilized egg ovum conception to 2 weeks multiplies from 1 cell to 100 growth rate is most rapid moves from Fallopian tube near ovary to uterus where it implants in wall starts receiving nutrients from mom via umbilical cord placenta placenta barrier between the 2 bloodstreams allows nutrients wastes to cross 3 weeks to 8 weeks Embryo cell multiplication organ differentiation heart beats beginnings of CNS some features e g eyes Fetus 8 weeks to birth growth is rapid at beginning then slows existing structures organs grow are refined become more distinct protective structures develop bones harden fatty layer develops under skin beginning physical response to environment kicking last 3 months practice independent functions e g lungs work though not breathing Psychosocial Development Erik Erikson II Importance of social world not just self but others 8 developmental stages to pass through sequentially Pass via resolving conflicts if do not resolve a conflict can get stuck at that stage Example if do not resolve identity crisis cannot form healthy long term romantic relationship If successfully resolved lay the ground work for the presence of Virtues in adulthood a Trust vs mistrust in caretaker self Hope b c d e f g h a b c d e f g Infant Autonomy vs shame Self control pride via toilet training Will Toddler Initiative vs doubt Carry out own plans with moral responsibility Purpose Preschooler Industry vs inferiority mastering basic academic skills Competence Elementary school aged child Identity vs role confusion Fidelity Adolescent moratorium institutions exist college and military foreclosure resolved without crisis ready made identity Intimacy vs isolation Committed intimate relationship Love Young adult Generativity vs stagnation Contribute to future generations Caring Middle aged adult Integrity vs despair Accept how life has gone not fear death Wisdom Older adult Lifespan Development theory believe changes occur throughout life development does not end at puberty III Attachment in Childhood According to John Bowlby this is a biologically driven process necessary for infant s survival The infant becomes attached around 6 8 months to the primary caretaker A gradual process forms this relationship Based on developing trust that the caretaker consistently meets the infant s needs picks up crying infant soothes feeds etc Also based on positive emotional interaction eye contact smiling talking especially touch The attachment relationship provides a secure base so the infant is comfortable exploring the world Ainsworth explored with her Strange Situation This relationship is the infant s template for other relationships Types of attachment i Secure if it is a positive relationship the infant is securely attached the infant will respond positively to other people and can form secondary attachments to other people other family day care workers Avoidant depressed or neglectful so the infant is uninterested in people Resistant or Ambivalent chaotic or inconsistent situations in which the infant cannot predict whether the caretaker will be trustworthy the primary caretaker is emotionally unavailable iii ii h Type of attachment is a predictor relationships with other children self confidence adult romantic relationships III Cognitive Development Jean Piaget a b c d Development in terms of thought processes reach stages of more advanced cognition more mature ways of thinking impetus to move from 1 stage to the next inability of old logic to handle new information must accommodate to new information by changing thought patterns Biology plus experience An interaction must be ready age maturation plus have experience in environment to understand more sophisticated ideas Cognitive and social development link social behavior depends upon cognitive abilities cognitive development underlies all other development Stages i birth to 2 Sensorimotor From reflexive immobile infants to planful thinkers capable of forming simple concepts solving problems For example 2 4 months The primary circular reaction develops a chance event occurs regarding stimulating own body the infant finds event pleasing the infant repeats shows beginning of intentional behavior Accommodation Change patterns of behavior to produce an outcome Learn having control over event can predict outcome develop Object Permanence peek a boo to hide and seek Pre operational 2 to 7 children now have symbolic thought make one thing stand for another Example language words are symbols pretend play make believe Children are still illogical engage in magical thinking Example lack conservation don t understand that amount of water stays the same even if you pour it into a taller glass Get sidetracked by visual cues and cannot conserve fundamental properties of the object 7 to 12 Concrete operational Now thinking logically but only about concrete objects real experiences can use categories can ignore irrelevant visual cues Formal operational have abstract thought and can think logically can perform mental actions on ideas propositions higher level math 12 on ii iii iv IIII Moral Development Lawrence Kohlberg Kohlberg studied not what was right or wrong but how our thinking about right versus wrong what we base this decision on changed as we developed he proposed that there were six stages of moral development but very few people make it through all six levels most people stop at some point and are stuck at a particular stage This process is influenced by the level of moral development of family community and culture society You can not skip stages as each provides a necessary perspective for the next and represents a more complex comprehensive and differentiated viewpoint he presents individuals with hypothetical situations and asks for their judgment on the morality of the situation using these judgments to assess their stage of development Level 1 Pre Conventional judge morality by its