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What is the main focus of developmental psychology?
What is the main focus of developmental psychology?
According to Freud, during which time frame is a person’s future personality considered to be 'fixed'?
According to Freud, during which time frame is a person’s future personality considered to be 'fixed'?
What aspect of human development has seen increasing emphasis in recent years?
What aspect of human development has seen increasing emphasis in recent years?
What type of experiences do developmental psychologists emphasize in relation to adult behavior?
What type of experiences do developmental psychologists emphasize in relation to adult behavior?
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Which question reflects a key inquiry in developmental psychology?
Which question reflects a key inquiry in developmental psychology?
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Which of the following is a characteristic associated with the preconventional stage of moral development?
Which of the following is a characteristic associated with the preconventional stage of moral development?
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In which stage of Lawrence Kohlberg's theory do individuals show respect for social norms and rules established by society?
In which stage of Lawrence Kohlberg's theory do individuals show respect for social norms and rules established by society?
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Which of the following behaviors is least likely to occur in individuals with lower risk of anxiety and psychological difficulties?
Which of the following behaviors is least likely to occur in individuals with lower risk of anxiety and psychological difficulties?
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What is a potential outcome of using emotionally avoidant coping mechanisms?
What is a potential outcome of using emotionally avoidant coping mechanisms?
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How does the postconventional stage of moral development differ from the conventional stage?
How does the postconventional stage of moral development differ from the conventional stage?
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What characterizes a secure attachment in children?
What characterizes a secure attachment in children?
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Which behavior is indicative of avoidant attachment in children?
Which behavior is indicative of avoidant attachment in children?
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What is a likely consequence of ambivalent attachment style in children?
What is a likely consequence of ambivalent attachment style in children?
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What behavior might a child with a secure attachment show towards strangers?
What behavior might a child with a secure attachment show towards strangers?
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What is a potential risk for children exhibiting avoidant behavior?
What is a potential risk for children exhibiting avoidant behavior?
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Which of the following behaviors is least likely associated with a child showing ambivalent attachment when their caregiver returns?
Which of the following behaviors is least likely associated with a child showing ambivalent attachment when their caregiver returns?
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Which statement best describes the emotional regulation in securely attached children?
Which statement best describes the emotional regulation in securely attached children?
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What might indicate high anxiety in a child's response to their caregiver leaving?
What might indicate high anxiety in a child's response to their caregiver leaving?
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What stage of prenatal development occurs from conception to approximately 2 weeks?
What stage of prenatal development occurs from conception to approximately 2 weeks?
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Which of the following maternal factors can directly influence prenatal brain development?
Which of the following maternal factors can directly influence prenatal brain development?
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What is the primary consequence of exposure to Bisphenol-A (BPA) during prenatal development?
What is the primary consequence of exposure to Bisphenol-A (BPA) during prenatal development?
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Which reflex is considered essential for a baby's survival after birth?
Which reflex is considered essential for a baby's survival after birth?
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During which prenatal period does the nervous system begin to develop?
During which prenatal period does the nervous system begin to develop?
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Which of the following is classified as a teratogen?
Which of the following is classified as a teratogen?
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Which aspect of postnatal brain development is most significant in the first year of life?
Which aspect of postnatal brain development is most significant in the first year of life?
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What effect can maternal malnutrition have on prenatal development?
What effect can maternal malnutrition have on prenatal development?
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What did Harlow's studies suggest about the importance of contact comfort in young monkeys?
What did Harlow's studies suggest about the importance of contact comfort in young monkeys?
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What concept describes the bond formed between an infant and a primary caregiver during a critical period of infancy?
What concept describes the bond formed between an infant and a primary caregiver during a critical period of infancy?
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Which of the following is NOT associated with the outcomes of persistent emotional neglect in humans?
Which of the following is NOT associated with the outcomes of persistent emotional neglect in humans?
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What theory emphasizes that certain forms of knowledge are innate?
What theory emphasizes that certain forms of knowledge are innate?
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Which factor may contribute to adult obesity and mental health issues according to findings on attachment?
Which factor may contribute to adult obesity and mental health issues according to findings on attachment?
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What term describes the early developmental framework formed by a child regarding trust in relationships?
What term describes the early developmental framework formed by a child regarding trust in relationships?
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What behavior was observed in monkeys placed in unfamiliar rooms without their cloth mothers?
What behavior was observed in monkeys placed in unfamiliar rooms without their cloth mothers?
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Which of the following philosophers is associated with the idea that all knowledge is acquired through experience?
Which of the following philosophers is associated with the idea that all knowledge is acquired through experience?
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During which period does synaptic pruning primarily occur?
During which period does synaptic pruning primarily occur?
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What effect does synaptogenesis have during the first year of life?
What effect does synaptogenesis have during the first year of life?
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What is a critical period in brain development?
What is a critical period in brain development?
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Which experience is NOT typically required during a critical period for optimal development?
Which experience is NOT typically required during a critical period for optimal development?
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By what age do babies generally lose the ability to discriminate between phonemes of different languages?
By what age do babies generally lose the ability to discriminate between phonemes of different languages?
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What role does developmental plasticity play in the acquisition of skills?
What role does developmental plasticity play in the acquisition of skills?
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Which of the following is a consequence of experiencing inadequate infant-caregiver bonding during a critical period?
Which of the following is a consequence of experiencing inadequate infant-caregiver bonding during a critical period?
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What is the outcome of synaptic pruning in the brain?
What is the outcome of synaptic pruning in the brain?
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Study Notes
Developmental Psychology
- Developmental Psychology is the scientific study of changes and continuities in human behavior over time.
- Many psychological traits (e.g., social, emotional, cognitive styles, personality, susceptibility to mental illness) originate in early development.
- Traditionally, developmental psychologists studied only infants and children, but more emphasis is now on lifespan development, from "womb to tomb".
Freud's Influence
- Freud argued that elements of the psyche (mind) originate in early childhood development.
- He emphasized the importance of caregiver-child interactions.
- He believed the foundation of personality and behavior was set in the first five years of life.
Questions Developmental Psychologists Ask
- How do prenatal experiences influence brain development?
- What do humans know at birth?
- What types of knowledge do humans possess and when do they develop it?
- How do postnatal experiences affect cognitive, social, emotional and moral behavior?
- How do we continue to develop into adulthood?
Prenatal Development
- Prenatal development occurs from conception to approximately 40 weeks.
- The nervous system begins developing during the third week of pregnancy.
- Stages include zygote (1-2 weeks), embryo (3-8 weeks), and fetus (9-40 weeks).
Prenatal Brain Influences
- Maternal stress (physical and emotional)
- Maternal exposure to chemicals (mercury, lead, organics)
- Maternal infections (viruses)
- Maternal exposure to drugs (prescription and recreational)
- Maternal malnutrition (vitamin deficiencies)
Teratogens
- Teratogens are substances that can harm a developing fetus.
- Thalidomide is an example of a teratogen causing birth defects.
- Bisphenol-A (BPA) is linked to reproductive physiology, cardiovascular function, brain development and cognition. It was used in plastics.
Postnatal Brain Development
- Human babies are born with reflexes crucial for survival (e.g., suckling).
- The postnatal brain develops rapidly in the first year, and continues to develop for many years.
- Synaptogenesis, the formation of new synapses, increases rapidly during the first year of life.
- Synaptic pruning, the elimination of unused synapses, occurs during years 2-10 and throughout adolescence.
- This developmental "plasticity" creates critical periods for psychological development.
Critical Periods
- Critical periods, also called sensitive periods, are times of active brain growth and plasticity when the brain is especially sensitive to specific experiences.
- Certain skills (e.g., visual perception, motor learning, language learning) must be acquired during critical periods to develop adequately.
- Experiences during critical periods are important for development. Examples include infant-caregiver bonding (attachment).
- Babies lose the ability to differentiate between contrasting phonemes in different languages by 12 months.
Cognitive Development
- Children develop age-specific schemas to understand the world.
- Early on, they assimilate new information into existing schemas, regardless if it fits.
- As they develop, schemas broaden when they accommodate new and distinct forms of knowledge.
Piaget's Stages of Cognitive Development
- Sensorimotor (0-2 years): Infants interact with the world through direct sensory and motor experience. Object permanence develops.
- Preoperational (2-7 years): Children use symbols, but reasoning is limited. Egocentrism is prominent.
- Concrete operational (7-12 years): Logical reasoning about concrete objects develops, as does conservation understanding.
- Formal operational (12+ years): Abstract and hypothetical reasoning develops.
Object Permanence
- Infants initially lack the understanding that objects continue to exist even when out of sight (object permanence).
- This develops during the sensorimotor stage.
Modern Challenges to Piaget
- Cognitive abilities, like object permanence, develop earlier than Piaget believed.
- Recent studies show infants have a basic understanding of the physical world (e.g., objects are solid).
Nature vs. Nurture
- Nature (Nativism): Certain kinds of knowledge are innate.
- Nurture (Empiricism): All knowledge is acquired through experience.
- Current views consider both nature and nurture as interacting, influencing development.
Social and Emotional Development
- Attachment: A unique bond between infant and primary caregiver.
- Harry Harlow's Attachment Studies with monkeys showed the importance of contact comfort.
- Bowlby & Ainsworth's Attachment Theory suggests a unique bond is formed between infant and primary caregiver during a critical period in infancy.
- Attachment Styles (secure, ambivalent, avoidant) are developed in early life and can influence later relationships.
- Strange Situation is a method to measure attachment styles.
- Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development describes stages of moral reasoning, from preconventional to postconventional. This progression is based on moral choices made from various stages of cognitive development
- Haidt's Moral Foundations Theory ("Social Intuitionist Theory") suggests that moral decisions are often intuitive and emotional, rather than rational.
- Moral Dilemmas (e.g., the trolley problem) highlight how emotions and intuition influence moral judgements.
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Description
Test your knowledge on key concepts in developmental psychology, including personality development, moral reasoning, and attachment styles. Explore the theories of Freud and Kohlberg, and understand the impact of experiences on adult behavior. This quiz is designed to challenge your understanding of human development across the lifespan.
