Development and Mental Health Overview

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Questions and Answers

Which part of the mind contains thoughts and memories that are not currently in awareness but influence behavior?

Conscious

Subconscious

Unconscious (correct)

Preconscious

What does the Iceberg Model symbolize in Freud's theory?

Circadian rhythms and their impact on consciousness

The balance between conscious and unconscious decisions

The relationship between sleep stages

The visible and hidden parts of the mind (correct)

What is considered a supportive view towards Freudian slips?

They are a reflection of the speaker's current emotions.

They reveal subconscious thoughts or feelings. (correct)

They arise from fatigue or lack of attention.

They are merely random mistakes without significance.

Which stage of sleep is crucial for physical recovery?

NREM Stage 3 Signup and view all the answers

During which stage of sleep is vivid dreaming most likely to occur?

REM Sleep Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of sleep in relation to memory?

Memory consolidation Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of circadian rhythms?

Regulating sleep-wake patterns and hormone release Signup and view all the answers

What does EEG measure during sleep?

Brain wave frequency and amplitude Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of Vygotsky’s views on cognitive development?

The role of culture and social interaction Signup and view all the answers

Which stage of Piaget’s theory involves learning primarily through senses and actions?

Sensorimotor Stage Signup and view all the answers

What type of attachment is characterized by a healthy balance of attachment and independence?

Secure attachment Signup and view all the answers

Which concept involves changing existing schemas to fit new experiences?

Accommodation Signup and view all the answers

In Ainsworth's study, which attachment style is reflected by a minimal emotional response to caregivers?

Insecure-avoidant attachment Signup and view all the answers

Why is attachment considered important for children?

It provides emotional security and promotes survival Signup and view all the answers

What criticism is often directed at Piaget’s theory of cognitive development?

He did not consider cultural influences Signup and view all the answers

What did Harlow's experiments with rhesus monkeys primarily highlight?

The significance of comfort and emotional security in attachment Signup and view all the answers

What best describes the interaction of genetic and environmental factors in development according to Mulcaster?

Both genetics and environment are crucial and interact together. Signup and view all the answers

Which symptom is not typically associated with schizophrenia?

Persistent sadness Signup and view all the answers

What does the diathesis-stress model suggest about mental illness?

A genetic predisposition interacts with stress to trigger mental illness. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of depression is characterized by persistent sadness over an extended period?

Persistent depressive disorder Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant benefit of good nutrition during prenatal and early development?

It is essential for fetal development and cognitive growth. Signup and view all the answers

Which major issue in developmental research discusses whether traits remain constant or change over time?

Stability vs. Change Signup and view all the answers

How do cultural differences influence parenting styles?

Some cultures prioritize independence while others emphasize community. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best represents current views on nature and nurture in development?

Nature and nurture interact dynamically to shape individuals. Signup and view all the answers

What are common effects of sleep deprivation?

Mood disturbances Signup and view all the answers

Which sleep disorder is characterized by difficulty in maintaining sleep?

Insomnia Signup and view all the answers

In the context of hypnotherapy, which is a valid therapeutic use of hypnosis?

Managing pain Signup and view all the answers

According to the physiological perspective, what do dreams reflect?

Brain activity during sleep Signup and view all the answers

Which category of drugs is represented by caffeine?

Stimulants Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about hypnosis?

Hypnotized individuals perform actions against their will Signup and view all the answers

What major issue has arisen from the overuse of opioids in pain management?

Addiction and overdose crisis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the mesolimbic pathway's role in addiction?

Involved in reward and pleasure Signup and view all the answers

What neurotransmitter does marijuana primarily affect?

Cannabinoid receptors Signup and view all the answers

Which drug is most associated with a risk of addiction when misused?

Adderall Signup and view all the answers

What kind of effects does LSD primarily produce?

Hallucinogenic effects Signup and view all the answers

Which definition best describes tolerance in the context of substance use?

Needing more of a drug to achieve the same effect Signup and view all the answers

What symptoms can occur during withdrawal from substances like methamphetamine?

Cravings and anxiety Signup and view all the answers

Which stage of memory involves holding sensory information for milliseconds?

Sensory memory/registers Signup and view all the answers

What initiates the process of creating a memory according to the Information Processing Model?

Encoding information Signup and view all the answers

How can some hallucinogenic drugs potentially benefit individuals?

They can alleviate symptoms of PTSD and depression. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Development

Development encompasses changes throughout life, including physical, cognitive, emotional, and social aspects.
Nature refers to genetic and hereditary factors.
Nurture refers to environmental influences, shaping development.
Mulcaster recognized the interaction of nature and nurture, emphasizing both genetics and environment.
Galton's view emphasized nature with his idea of hereditary genius.
Current views acknowledge the dynamic interaction of nature and nurture.

Schizophrenia and Depression

Schizophrenia symptoms: Hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and impaired functioning.
Depression symptoms: Persistent sadness, loss of interest, fatigue, and feelings of worthlessness.
Causal/risk factors for mental illness: Genetic predisposition, environmental stressors, trauma, and neurochemical imbalances.
Diathesis-stress model proposes that a predisposition (diathesis) combined with stress triggers mental illness
Depression types: Major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, bipolar disorder (manic-depressive).
Biopsychosocial approach integrates biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding mental health.

Major Issues in Developmental Research

Nature vs. Nurture: Debate on the relative influence of genetics and environment.
Continuity vs. Discontinuity: Whether development is a gradual process or occurs in distinct stages.
Stability vs. Change: How much our traits persist or change over time.

Prenatal and Newborn Development

Good nutrition is essential for fetal development and later cognitive and physical growth.
Early handling and stimulation are vital for brain development and emotional security.

Cultural Differences in Child Rearing

Parenting styles vary widely across cultures: Some prioritize independence, while others emphasize community and interdependence.
American parents face societal expectations for achievement and individualism.
Lower-income parents may face additional stressors, like financial instability, influencing their parenting.

Cognitive Development in Infants and Children

Piaget's 4 stages:
- Sensorimotor (0-2 years): Learning through senses and actions.
- Preoperational (2-7 years): Development of language and symbolic thinking.
- Concrete Operational (7-11 years): Logical thinking about concrete events.
- Formal Operational (12+ years): Abstract and hypothetical thinking.
Schemas: Frameworks for understanding the world.
Assimilation and Accommodation:
- Assimilation: Integrating new experiences into existing schemas.
- Accommodation: Changing schemas to fit new experiences.
Criticisms of Piaget: Underestimation of children's abilities and the role of social interaction.
Vygotsky's views: Emphasis on culture and social interaction in cognitive development.

Attachment: Emotional bond between a child and caregiver.
Ainsworth's Types of Attachment:
- Secure: Healthy balance of attachment and independence.
- Insecure-avoidant: Minimal emotional response to caregivers.
- Insecure-resistant: Ambivalent and anxious behavior toward caregivers.
Cultural variations in attachment: Collectivist cultures emphasize community while individualistic cultures emphasize independence.
Why attachment exists: Provides security and promotes survival.
Sources of support/conflict: Family dynamics, peer relationships, and societal influences shape development.

Harlow's Work on Attachment

Harlow's experiments with rhesus monkeys demonstrated the importance of comfort and emotional security in attachment: Infant monkeys preferred soft, comforting "mothers" over wire "mothers" that provided food.

Freud's Psychoanalytic Theory

Unconscious: Contains thoughts, memories, and desires not currently in awareness but influencing behavior.
Preconscious: Holds thoughts that can easily be brought into awareness.
Conscious: The thoughts and feelings we are currently aware of.
Iceberg Model: The unconscious is like a large hidden iceberg, while consciousness is the small visible part.
Supportive and Skeptical Views:
- Freudian Slips: Mistakes in speech believed to reveal unconscious thoughts. (Skeptical: Mistakes are not meaningful)
- Dream Analysis: Dreams as manifestations of unconscious desires and conflicts. (Supportive: Dreams always have meaning) (Skeptical: No meaning, just interesting)
- Rorschach Tests: Projective tests meant to uncover unconscious thoughts through ambiguous stimuli. (Supportive: Analyzing people's responses.) (Skeptical: There is better technology)

Sleep

Why we sleep: Essential for physical health, cognitive functioning, and emotional regulation.
- Aids in memory consolidation, tissue repair, and overall restoration.
Circadian rhythms: Biological processes that follow a 24-hour cycle regulating sleep-wake patterns, hormone release, and other bodily functions.
EEG Activity: Amplitude and frequency of brain waves during different sleep stages.
Stages of sleep and occurrences:
- NREM Stage 1: Light sleep, transition between wakefulness and sleep (5-10 minutes).
- NREM Stage 2: Moderate sleep, heart rate slows and body temperature drops (20 minutes).
- NREM Stage 3: Deep sleep, crucial for physical recovery (30 minutes).
- REM Sleep: Vivid dreaming, brain activity resembles wakefulness, important for cognitive functions (occurs after 90 minutes of sleep).
Changes in sleep as we age: Sleep patterns shift resulting in lighter sleep and increased awakenings.
Detrimental effects of sleep deprivation: Impairments in cognitive functioning, mood disturbances, weakened immune response, and increased risk of chronic conditions.
Effects of alcohol on sleep: May initially promote sleep but disrupts sleep cycles, leading to poorer sleep quality.

Dreaming

Psychodynamic perspective: Freud viewed dreams as expressions of unconscious desires; Jung emphasized the collective unconscious.
Cognitive perspective: Day residue refers to elements from daily experiences appearing in dreams.
Physiological perspective: Dreams may reflect brain activity during sleep without holding deeper meaning.

Sleep Disorders

Insomnia: Difficulty falling or staying asleep.
Sleep Apnea: Breathing interruptions during sleep.
Narcolepsy: Excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks.
Parasomnias: Abnormal behaviors during sleep like sleepwalking or night terrors.

Hypnosis

Definition: A state of focused attention and heightened suggestibility often accompanied by deep relaxation.
Debate on altered state: Some argue hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness while others view it as a heightened state of focus and suggestibility.
Misconceptions about hypnosis: Myths include that hypnotized individuals are unconscious or can be forced to do things against their will.
Therapeutic uses of hypnosis: Pain management, anxiety reduction, and behavioral changes (e.g., smoking cessation).

Psychoactive Drugs

Opioid overuse in the US: Overuse due to pain management practices leading to addiction and overdose crisis.
Fentanyl: A potent synthetic opioid.
3 general drug effects:
- Stimulants: Increase alertness and energy (e.g., caffeine).
- Depressants: Decrease activity in the nervous system (e.g., alcohol).
- Hallucinogens: Alter perception and consciousness (e.g., LSD).
The mesolimbic pathway: A key brain pathway involved in reward and pleasure, often implicated in addiction.
Specific examples and effects:
- Marijuana: Relaxation and altered sensory perception; primarily affects cannabinoid receptors. Not physically addictive, potential for dependence.
- LSD: Hallucinogenic effects altering perception and mood; influences serotonin receptors; potential for psychological distress.
- Adderall: Increases focus and attention; affects dopamine and norepinephrine; risk of addiction if misused.
Potential therapeutic and creative uses of hallucinogenic drugs: Some studies suggest benefits for conditions like PTSD and depression, and they may foster creativity.

Tolerance and Withdrawal

Tolerance: The brain becomes accustomed to a drug, requiring more for the same effect.
Withdrawal: Symptoms that occur when reducing or stopping drug use; can include cravings, anxiety, and physical symptoms.
Methamphetamine abusers: Changes in dopamine pathways can lead to severe cravings and mood disturbances.

Substance Abuse Disorder

Characterized by an individual's inability to control their use of substances despite negative consequences, often leading to significant impairment or distress.

Memory

The cognitive process that involves encoding, storing, and retrieving information.
Crucial for learning, decision-making, and shaping our identities.

Information Processing Model

Compares human memory to computer processing, suggesting that information is processed through three stages:
- Sensory Memory/Registers: Holds incoming sensory information for a very brief period (milliseconds to a few seconds).
  - Iconic Memory: Visual sensory memory (e.g., a brief image of what you just saw).
  - Echoic Memory: Auditory sensory memory (e.g., remembering the last few words of a conversation).
- Short-term (Working) Memory: Holds a small amount of information actively being used (seconds to minutes).
- Long-term Memory: Stores vast amounts of information for extended periods (potentially indefinitely).

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Description

This quiz explores key concepts in human development, including the interaction of nature and nurture, as well as discusses symptoms and risk factors for mental health issues like schizophrenia and depression. Understand the complexities of developmental changes and their impact on mental well-being.