Lecture 11 PSYCH 250 1st EditionOutline of Last Lecture I. Emotional DevelopmentII. Importance of PlayIII. Parenting StylesIV. Cultural and Ethnic Variations in ParentingV. Developing Gender RolesOutline of Current Lecture VI. A Healthy TimeA. Obesity EpidemicVII. Brain Development and IntelligenceA. AutismVIII. Changes in Children’s ThinkingIX. Cultural Influences on CognitionX. MemoryXI. KnowledgeXII. LanguageXIII. Gender and International DifferencesCurrent LectureMiddle childhood, ages 6-11, is often a time of healthiness as well as happiness. At this stage the growth of children begins to slow, and occurs at a steadier rate. Children will gain 5-7 lbs per year, and grow roughly 2 inches per year. However, obesity among children is increasing rapidly in the United States. It is estimated that 16% of the children in American are obese, and the occurrence of obesity in children ages 6 – 11 has increased by more than 300% since 1974. Obesity has number of causes the biggest contributors are:- Overweight parents- Low SES- Poor eating habits- Low physical activity- Fast food and super-sizing- TelevisionTelevision is a huge contributor to obesity. The average American child spends around 3-4 hours watching TV every day, and many studies have suggested a positive correlation between obesity and TV. (One study suggests that 25% of obesity may be accredited to increased TV viewing)In regards to causing obesity TV has many negative effects: TV replaces physical activity Food intake increases while one is watching TV Commercials advertise poor food choices Sitting in one place reduces resting metabolism (food doesn’t break down as fast)Obesity is a serious problem affecting the children of America. Children who are obese are 80% more likely to obese as adults. Obesity poses a variety of lifelong health risks, to name a few:- High blood pressure- Respiratory Issues- Liver and gallbladder disease- Sleep disorders- Digestive disorders- Diabetes- Cancer- Early deathObesity can also affect more than just health. It can affect the emotional and cognitive development of children, and comes attached to a negative stigma:- Feelings of unattractiveness- Low self – esteem- Teasing from peers- Social Isolation- Loneliness- Depression- School problems- Problem behaviors- Reduced life opportunitiesChildhood obesity can be treated through increased exercise, changing family patterns, and make drastic changes to school lunch programs and vending machines.Brain DevelopmentBy age 7 or 8 a child’s brain has reached its adult size. Myelination continues, and results in an extremely interconnected brain by age 8. Reaction time begins to decline at this point. Children also acquire the skills of:Selective Attention: this is the ability to concentrate on some stimuli while ignoring other stimuli (studying while watching TV). Before age 7 or 8 children cannot multitask in this way and usually focus on one stimulus at a time.Automatization: this is the process through which certain skills become routine (writing your name).There are two types of tests used to ability:Achievement Test: measure what children have been taught and are usually given in schoolAptitude Test: measure an individual’s potential. IQ test are such aptitude tests that are designed to measure intellectual potential or the ability to learn in school.Over the last 100 years, IQ scores have risen dramatically worldwide. This is known as The Flynn Effect. The reasons for this drastic change in intelligence can be attributed to better nutrition, formal schooling, and smaller families.However, the IQ test does have its criticisms. The test is often culturally biased, and a person’s potential changes over time (the potential a 5 year – old has will be different at the age of 15). This criticism states thatIQ tests should part of a continuing assessment for an individual child. Another major criticism is that IQ tests tend to ignore other types of intelligences. Sternberg and Gardener were two psychologists who developed theories related to multiple intelligences.Sternberg:Gardner believed in 8 types of intelligence: Linguistic Intelligence Logical-Mathematical Intelligence Musical Intelligence Spacial Intelligence Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence Naturalistic Intelligence Interpersonal Intelligence Intrapersonal IntelligenceSuccessful IntelligenceAnalytical Intelligence(things you learn in school)Practical Intelligence(goal oriented intelligence)Creative Intelligence(problem - solving)IQ tests can help detect learning disabilities, giftedness, and other special needs that individuals may have. IQ can predict academic achievement and to some degree career success in adulthood. Golman, however, argues that emotional intelligence (EQ) is a better predictor of success in life.Attention Deficit DisordersAbout 10% of all children have an attention deficit disorder (ADD). Those who have ADHD are: inattentive, overactive, and impulsive. Rates of ADD and ADHD have increased sharply over the past 30 years, and boys outnumber girls 3 to 1. The difference between ADD and ADHD is that ADD is simply attention deficit disorder. ADHD is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This means the individual is inattentive and hyperactive.Autistic Spectrum DisordersAn autistic spectrum disorder is any of several disorders that is distinguished by inadequate social skills and abnormal play.Autism: the inability to relate to others in a normal way. These individuals are usually extremely self-absorbed and have abnormal speech.Asperger’s Syndrome: these individuals are higher functioning than those with autism, and are distinguished by an extreme attention to detail and impaired social interactions.Autism is characterized by many symptoms:Main Symptoms Other SymptomsAbsence of normal languageUnder sensitivity to painSocially unaware or isolated Over sensitive to noiseRepetitive isolated play Insist on routinesThe incidence of these disorders tripled in the 1990’s. The causes of autism can be linked to genes, teratogens (vaccine for MMR was linked to autism at one point, but is no longer the cause today), viruses, pesticides, infections, or drugs. However, there is a better understanding and diagnosis of autism today.Early intervention is advantageous in the treatment of autism. These children can also undergo behavioral training that teaches them