Developmental Psychology Quiz

Prenatal Development

• Nutrition and maternal health impacts neuronal development and physical/mental development after birth
• Teratogens are agents causing abnormalities during fetal development
• Brain development involves structure formation in early stages and focus on weight/form
• Oxygen deprivation and prematurity are common causes of neuronal loss

Infancy and Toddlerhood

• Significant development in hearing, vision, and dependence
• Milestones involve walking and talking
• Development of autonomy (feeding, hygiene, routines)
• Focus on motor skills and attention

Early Childhood (3-5 years)

• Marked by preschool-age development
• Language acquisition is a key aspect
• Developing a sense of self and increasing independence
• Learning about the physical world (e.g., space, time, size)

Middle Childhood (6-11 years)

• Academic performance and friendships expand beyond family circles
• Improvement of motor skills is common
• Impacts of formal schooling are significant (particularly in Northern countries)

Adolescence

• Significant physical changes (puberty)
• Cognitive growth, including more abstract thinking
• Feeling of invincibility, increasing risk of accidents/illness

Adulthood (18-65 years)

• Exploration of identity
• Peak physical ability and cognitive maturity around age 40
• Development of relationships and economic independence become essential

Late Adulthood (65+)

• Job and social changes
• Maintaining cognitive function is crucial

Nature vs. Nurture

• Debate regarding the relative contributions of genetics and environment
• Epigenetics demonstrates interactions between genes and environment
• Genetic expression can be influenced by environmental factors
• Humans possess superior cognitive abilities compared to other animals

Continuity vs. Discontinuity

• Continuity views development as a continuous process of gradual change.
• Discontinuity views development as a series of distinct stages.

Activity vs. Passivity

• Passivity describes reactions to stimuli in the environment.
• Activity describes the ability to choose how to react.

Epistemological Beliefs

• Cognitions about knowledge, learning, and knowing influence knowledge processing.

Normative vs. Idiographic

• Normative emphasizes general rules and average development.
• Idiographic stresses specific processes and individual differences.

Methods of Study for Developmental Deployments

• Continuous questioning is a core scientific method
• Theories inform research into development
• Research relies on observations, falsifiability, and testing
• Issues of attention are considered for designing experiments and studying humans.
• There are challenges in re-learning previously learned information.

Observational Study

• Observing behavior in a natural setting for better understanding
• Researchers must avoid influencing the subjects.

Experimentation

• Hypotheses about relationships are tested in controlled environments
• Controlled measurements are essential
• IV manipulation, DV observation and control of variables are critical

Case Study

• In-depth investigation of a single individual
• Observations, interviews, and testing
• Results cannot be generalized to the wider population

Surveys

• Large-scale data collection using standardized questionnaires
• Useful for assessing attitudes, values, and behaviors
• Considerations of biases are critical (e.g., central tendency, acquiescence, and social desirability).

Longitudinal Design

• Data on same participants over extended periods
• Useful for observing changes over time
• Challenges include cost, participant drop-out, and cohort effects

Cross-Sectional Design

• Data collected from diverse age groups simultaneously.
• Provides a snapshot of development at a given time
• Cohort effects might impact results

Sequential Design

• Combines cross-sectional and longitudinal approaches
• Provides insights into development across time and generations
• Allows for comparison across different cohorts

Microgenetic Design

• Focuses on the process of change
• Detailed observation of a specific task to understand the mechanisms of change

Habituation

• Reduction in response to repeated stimulus.
• Indicates capacity for perception, learning & memory

Delayed Imitation

• Presentation of models for subsequent imitation to understand observation capabilities.
• Demonstrates the ability to observe and later reproduce actions.

Neuroimaging

• Techniques like fMRI are used to understand brain activity during different tasks

Computer Simulation

• Can be used to test theories of cognitive development
• Predictions based on a model are compared withe observations found in nature.

Schelling Segregation Model

• Individuals with a preference for their own group can lead to segregation even when preferences are not strong.

Ethics

• Informed consent is fundamental
• Explanation of risks & benefits is required
• Confidentiality & data protection are paramount

Freud's Psychosexual Theory

• Importance of childhood experiences
• Stages include oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital
• Controversial approach due to its focus on sexual development;

Erikson's Psychosocial Theory

• Focus on social relationships and development across the lifespan
• Stages include trust vs. mistrust, autonomy vs. shame and doubt, initiative vs. guilt, industry vs. inferiority, identity vs. role confusion, intimacy vs. isolation, generativity vs. stagnation, integrity vs. despair.

Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory

• Emphasizes social interaction in cognitive development
• Guided learning (scaffolding) where learners are supported
• Zone of proximal development (ZPD) – tasks learner can complete with support/guidance.

Piaget's Cognitive Development Theory

• Stages of cognitive development: sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, formal operational.
• Focuses on mental processes and schemas (categories of knowledge)
• Assimilation and accommodation are key processes involved in development

Sensorimotor Stage (0-2 years)

• Initially relying on reflexes, then progressing to intentional actions and basic understanding of objects.
• Divided into subsatges.
• Object permanence is a key milestone (understanding that objects continue to exist even when not seen).

Preoperational Stage (2-7 years)

• Symbolic thought emerges.
• Egocentrism, centration, and conservation are key characteristics.
• Symbolic thinking allows for pretend play but thinking is not logical yet.

Concrete Operational Stage (7-11 years)

• Logical reasoning emerges.
• Understanding of conservation (properties of objects remain the same despite changes)

Formal Operational Stage (11+)

• Abstract thinking and hypothetical reasoning.
• Solving complex problems and scientific reasoning

Information Processing Theories

• Emphasizes information processing, memory, attention, and problem-solving.
• Attention and memory development are crucial aspects of cognitive development.
• Working memory, processing speed, strategies, and brain growth all influence development

Cognitive Development Milestones

• Summary of key developmental milestones across different age groups

First Two Years of Life Development

• Detailed analysis of development during the first two years, including stages defined by Piaget.

Language Development

• Explains how babies learn to communicate, including understanding and repeating words.
• Stages of language development are illustrated.

Test your knowledge on key concepts in developmental psychology, including research designs like longitudinal, cross-sectional, and sequential. Explore important theories by psychologists such as Piaget, Bandura, and Skinner, and understand the significance of techniques like neuroimaging and computer simulations in the study of cognitive development.