Developmental Psychology Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the main psychosocial crisis of Erik Erikson's fifth stage?

  • Identity vs. Confusion (correct)
  • Intimacy vs. Isolation
  • Generativity vs. Stagnation
  • Integrity vs. Despair

The prefrontal cortex is considered the first part of the brain to fully mature.

False (B)

What are two factors that contribute to the risky behavior of adolescents?

peer pressure, sensitivity to social evaluation

Erik Erikson's fifth stage involves the conflict of identity vs. __________.

<p>confusion</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does James Marcia's identity statuses focus on?

<p>Commitment and crisis (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Adolescence is a period in which the sensitivity to rewards is diminished.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main challenge during adolescence according to Erikson?

<p>to form a clear sense of identity</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the identity statuses proposed by James Marcia with their characteristics:

<p>Identity Diffusion = No commitment, no crisis Identity Foreclosure = Commitment without crisis Identity Moratorium = Crisis without commitment Identity Achievement = Commitment after crisis</p> Signup and view all the answers

At what age does the formal operational stage begin according to Piaget?

<p>11 years (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Erikson, trust vs. mistrust is the first psychosocial stage of development.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does language play in Vygotsky's theory of cognitive development?

<p>Language serves as the foundation for cognitive processes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

During the age range of 1.5 to 3 years, children experience the psychosocial stage of _____ vs. shame and doubt.

<p>autonomy</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the psychosocial stage with its associated conflict:

<p>Trust vs. Mistrust = Needs met by caregivers Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt = Independence and doubt feeling Initiative vs. Guilt = Initiating activities without fear Industry vs. Inferiority = Competence and achievement</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes formal operational thought?

<p>Abstract, idealistic, and logical (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the frontal lobe growth between ages 3 to 6?

<p>Planning and organizing new actions (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Piaget's theories ignore the impact of culture and education on cognitive development.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is private speech in the context of Vygotsky's sociocultural theory?

<p>Talking aloud to oneself to plan strategies and regulate actions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

During the sensorimotor stage, infants have a concept of object permanence.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name the two processes that are responsible for how people use their schemas according to Piaget's Theory.

<p>Assimilation and Accommodation</p> Signup and view all the answers

From ages 2 to 7, children are in the __________ stage of cognitive development.

<p>Preoperational</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the stages of cognitive development with their key characteristics:

<p>Sensorimotor = No concept of object permanence Preoperational = Egocentric thinking and symbolic representation Concrete Operational = Using logical reasoning in concrete situations Formal Operational = Abstract and hypothetical thinking</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of thinking is predominant in the preoperational stage?

<p>Intuitive and egocentric thinking (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Accommodation is the process of incorporating new information into existing schemas.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a schema according to Piaget's Theory?

<p>A concept or framework that organizes information and provides structure for interpreting it.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Formal Operational Stage

The stage of cognitive development where individuals develop abstract, idealistic, and logical thinking, enabling them to think hypothetically. This stage continues into adulthood.

Evaluation of Piaget's Theories

Piaget's theory revolutionized our understanding of how children's minds develop. However, it has limitations. Some cognitive abilities emerge earlier than Piaget suggested, and formal operational thinking doesn't necessarily appear during adolescence. He also neglected individual differences and the influence of culture and education.

Sociocultural Theory (Vygotsky)

A theory that emphasizes the crucial role of social interaction in cognitive development. Children learn through guidance from parents, teachers, and peers, with language playing a vital role.

Erikson's Theory of Socioemotional Development

A theory proposing eight stages of psychosocial development, each marked by a conflict between opposing forces. The resolution of each conflict shapes personality development.

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Trust vs. Mistrust

The first stage of Erikson's theory, characterized by the development of trust or mistrust in the world based on the fulfilling of basic needs by caregivers.

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Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

The second stage of Erikson's theory, where children learn independence and control over their bodies and actions, or develop feelings of shame and doubt.

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Initiative vs. Guilt

The third stage of Erikson's theory, where children initiate activities, explore their environment, and learn to take on responsibility, or develop feelings of guilt.

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Private Speech

Private speech, common in preschoolers, is talking aloud to oneself to plan, regulate actions, and achieve goals. It becomes internalized as we mature, forming our inner voice.

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Myelination

The process of forming a fatty sheath around nerve fibers, which speeds up nerve impulses.

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Brain Development

The brain's development from birth to adulthood, marked by changes in structure and function, including growth in brain size and complexity.

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Object Permanence

The ability to understand that objects continue to exist even when they are not visible.

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Schema

A mental framework or structure that helps us organize and interpret information.

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Assimilation

The process of fitting new information into existing schemas.

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Accommodation

The process of modifying existing schemas to accommodate new information.

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Decentering

The ability to understand that other people have different perspectives and thoughts than our own.

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Prefrontal Cortex Maturation

The prefrontal cortex, responsible for executive functions, is the last brain region to fully mature, around mid-20s.

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Prefrontal Cortex Development

Increased myelination and decreased pruning contribute to the prefrontal cortex's development.

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Prefrontal Cortex Function

The prefrontal cortex's role in controlling impulses, emotions, and planning is crucial for mature behavior.

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Reward System vs. Prefrontal Cortex

The mismatch in the maturation of the reward system (subcortical dopamine circuits) and the prefrontal cortex can explain why adolescents are more susceptible to risky behaviors.

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Identity vs. Confusion

The stage where an adolescent struggles to develop a consistent sense of identity, values, and direction in life.

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Identity Confusion and Risk

Identity confusion, characterized by uncertainty about oneself and one's place in the world, can lead to risky behaviors and mental health challenges.

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Marcia's Identity Statuses

Proposed by James Marcia, this model examines how commitment and exploration contribute to four different identity statuses.

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Social Influences on Risk

Adolescents are particularly sensitive to social evaluation and peer pressure, contributing to their tendency to engage in risky behaviors.

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Study Notes

Developmental Psychology

  • The study of growth and change throughout life.
  • Tracks the sequence of age-related changes from conception to death.

Issues in Development

  • Nature vs. Nurture: Are developmental patterns hereditary or acquired from the environment?
  • Continuity vs. Discontinuity: Is development affected by the past?
  • Stability vs. Change: Are changes stable over time?

Developmental Research Techniques

  • Cross-Sectional Research: Compares different age groups at the same point in time.
  • Longitudinal Research: Assesses changes in behavior over time.

Prenatal Development

  • Germinal Stage (first 2 weeks): Begins with fertilization, zygote formation, and placenta development.
  • Embryonic Stage (2 weeks to end of 2nd month): Vital organs and bodily systems form; highly vulnerable to damage.
  • Fetal Stage (2 months to birth): Rapid body growth, muscle and bone development; rapid brain cell multiplication in the final three months. Viability point occurs around 23-25 weeks.

Environmental Factors in Prenatal Development

  • Nutrition: Maternal malnutrition increases birth complications and neurological issues. Balanced nutrient intake is essential.
  • Stress and Emotion: Maternal stress can affect the fetus, potentially resulting in stillbirths or slower motor/cognitive development.

Drug Use

  • Overall: All recreational, prescription, and OTC drugs increase the risk of complications.
  • Alcohol Consumption: Fetal alcohol syndrome is associated with a range of congenital birth defects (like microcephaly, heart defects, etc.)
  • Tobacco Use: Increases risk of miscarriages, stillbirths, prematurity, and sudden infant death syndrome.
  • Other Drugs: Drugs of all types can affect the fetus

Fetal Origins of Adult Diseases

  • Early events in prenatal development can influence adult health.
  • Various factors are linked, like malnutrition, some infections, and exposure to toxins.

Physical Development in Childhood

  • Reflexes: Genetically programmed responses that disappear with maturation.
  • Motor skills: Physical abilities like walking, running, grasping that improve with age
  • The Brain: Significant neuronal development, especially in the frontal lobe areas which control planning, and organizing.

Cognitive Development

  • Piaget's Theory: Focuses on how children's thinking changes over time- Stage theory of development.
    • Sensorimotor Stage (birth-2 years): Infants understand the world through sensory experiences and physical actions.
    • Preoperational Stage (2-7 years): Children use symbols and language, but their thinking is limited.
    • Concrete Operational Stage (7-11 years): Logical reasoning begins.
    • Formal Operational Stage (11 years - adulthood): Abstract reasoning emerges.

Sociocultural Theory (Vygotsky)

  • Emphasizes the role of social interaction in children's cognitive development, guided by interactions with parents, teachers and other adults and peers.

Erikson's Theory of Socioemotional Development

  • Describes psychosocial stages of development, with each stage presenting unique challenges concerning identity, relationships and roles.
    • Trust vs. Mistrust (0-1.5 years): Infants develop trust when their basic needs are met.
    • Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (1.5-3 years): Children develop independence.
    • Initiative vs. Guilt (3-6 years): Children explore their surroundings and take initiative.
    • Industry vs. Inferiority (6-12 years): Children develop a sense of competence or inferiority.

Attachment

  • Attachment theory highlights the strong emotional connection between caregivers and infants.

Adolescent Development

  • Physiological Changes: Physical growth spurts, puberty (hormonal changes, secondary sex characteristics), and bodily changes

  • Identity Formation: Erikson's identity vs. role confusion stage is crucial for adolescence; James Marcia's identity statuses further analyze identity formation and the impact of various issues on identity formation (e.g. identity diffusion).

Adult Development

  • Emerging Adulthood (18-25): Exploration of identity, relationships, and careers.
  • Early Adulthood (25-45): Physical prime, career development, relationship dynamics.
  • Middle Adulthood (45-65): Physical changes, potential health concerns, family dynamics.
  • Late Adulthood (65+): Physical declines, cognitive changes, emotional/intellectual coping.

The Aging Years

  • Physiological Changes: Physical decline, cognitive changes, health concerns
  • Neural Changes Cognitive function and brain structure change with age.
  • Cognitive Changes in Aging: Impact upon learning and memory.

Stress and Coping

  • Types of Stressors: Cataclysmic events, Personal stressors, Background stressors/daily hassles.
  • Stress Response: Short-term and long-term consequences; General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)
  • Coping Mechanisms: Emotion-focused, Problem-focused
  • Resources and Support: Importance of coping styles (hardy personality and resilience) and social support.

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