Developmental Psychology Chapters 11 & 12

The way different cultures categorize things and people into groups, which can vary significantly.

East Asian schools emphasize effort, collaboration, and teacher guidance, focusing on learning from mistakes.

Western schools often emphasize individual differences, praise, and teacher direction, with less focus on collaborative learning.

Children are facing adult-like pressures and expectations earlier in life, blurring the line between childhood and adulthood.

Young adults are staying dependent for longer periods, delaying traditional markers of adulthood like marriage and financial independence.

Young adults who are caught in-between childhood and adulthood, characterized by prolonged education and delayed independence.

The idea that adolescence is a period of inevitable turmoil and conflict, a theory that is now considered outdated.

The understanding that factors like culture, ethnicity, and gender influence how teenagers experience adolescence, making it different for various individuals.

Middle childhood (6-11 years) is considered the safest period due to low threats from genetic diseases, infectious diseases (with immunization), and fatal accidents.

Brain development during middle childhood is characterized by slow and steady growth, providing a balanced environment for children to grow steadily.

Research suggests that both recess and extracurricular activities are beneficial for children's development, promoting physical health, social skills, and cognitive abilities.

Two common misinterpretations of brain-based research are: 1. Misuse of research on explosive brain development in early childhood, and 2. Overgeneralization of critical periods of development.

Fluid intelligence refers to our basic understanding and skills (e.g., solving puzzles), while crystallized intelligence is acquired knowledge (e.g., knowledge of history).

Playworks emphasizes the development of soft skills (collaboration, communication, problem-solving) through structured play, highlighting their importance in life and potential racial disparities.

Categorizing things/people into groups is a universal human trait, but the specific classifications vary across cultures. Western cultures focus on individual elements, while Eastern cultures view collections as wholes.

Understanding that children learn best through personal contact can be used to help them challenge stereotypes and view different groups with greater understanding.

Puberty starts in the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that signals the pituitary gland. The pituitary then sends signals to the adrenal glands and gonads.

Primary sex characteristics involve the development of reproductive organs (e.g., ovaries, testes) during puberty. Secondary sex characteristics are physical changes that occur during puberty but aren't directly involved with reproduction, like breast development or facial hair growth.

Changes in hormone levels during puberty influence emotional development and mood swings. These hormonal changes affect various brain regions involved in emotions.

Adolescents may take their health for granted because they feel invincible and often lack awareness of long-term health consequences. This can lead to poor health habits and inadequate preventative care.

Brain development during adolescence plays a role in risk-taking behaviors. The prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision-making, takes longer to mature, leading to impulsive choices.

Social norms and cultural pressures contribute to adolescent risk taking. Peer influence, media portrayals, and societal expectations can shape behaviors.

Hormonal changes during puberty shift the sleep/wake cycle. This leads to a delayed phase preference, making adolescents feel tired later and want to sleep in later.

Consistent sleep deprivation in adolescents negatively affects cognitive function, including memory, attention, and academic performance.

The prefrontal cortex, responsible for higher-level thinking and impulse control, develops gradually until the early 20s. This means adolescents may have difficulty making sound judgments and controlling their impulses.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that creates pleasurable feelings. Alcohol increases dopamine levels, making immediate rewards like drinking feel more satisfying. This can lead to addictive behaviors.

Piaget's final stage of cognitive development, where individuals develop abstract reasoning, hypothetical thinking, and the ability to solve complex problems.

An extension of the traditional K-12 system, adding an extra year of education to align with Piaget's formal operational stage, allowing for more time to develop advanced thinking skills before adulthood.

Encouraging debates, problem-solving activities, and open-ended questions in secondary education to promote abstract thinking and reasoning skills.

Understanding the ongoing development of the prefrontal cortex in adolescents is crucial for informing policies regarding the juvenile justice system. It highlights the need for tailored approaches considering their developmental stage.

During adolescence, the brain experiences a rapid growth of grey matter, particularly in the prefrontal cortex. This growth is followed by pruning, where unused connections are eliminated, leading to more efficient brain function.

Understanding brain development during adolescence has led to changes in educational practices. Educators now focus on fostering critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and executive function development to support this stage.

The ability to reason logically and abstractly, which develops during adolescence but may not always translate to real-world situations.

A characteristic of adolescent thinking where individuals struggle to see things from others' perspectives due to intense focus on themselves and their identity.

Social media, which Millennials grew up with, may contribute to heightened egocentrism by encouraging self-focus and validation seeking.

A common adolescent belief that they are immune to risks and consequences due to their developing brains and social influences.

The belief that one is unique and special, often leading to a sense of invulnerability and a disconnect from peers.

A common adolescent belief that everyone is constantly observing and judging their actions and appearance.

An evolving understanding of oneself comprised of multiple elements like self-esteem, self-concept, self-image, identity, and values.

Adolescents often experiment with various personalities and behaviors to explore their identity and figure out who they want to be.