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What is developmental psychology?
It examines how people are continually developing physically, cognitively, and socially from infancy through old age.
Which of the following are the three major issues studied in developmental psychology? (Select all that apply)
Developmental psychology covers stages from ______ to old age.
conception
What are the types of development studied in developmental psychology?
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What happens to a sperm cell at the time of fertilization?
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Females are born with all the eggs they will ever have.
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What are teratogens?
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What reflex is triggered when something touches a newborn’s cheek?
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At what rate do neurons grow in the womb during the middle trimester?
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Study Notes
Developmental Psychology
- Focuses on continual development across physical, cognitive, and social domains from infancy to old age.
- Investigates three major issues:
- Nature vs. Nurture: Examines the impact of genetic inheritance and environmental experiences on development.
- Continuity vs. Stages: Questions whether development is a gradual process or occurs in distinct stages.
- Stability vs. Change: Explores if personality traits remain stable or change throughout life.
- Covers developmental stages from conception to old age.
- Types of development include physical, cognitive, and social/emotional.
Prenatal Development & The Newborn
- Ovary releases a mature egg, while males produce sperm starting at puberty.
- Approximately 200 million sperm compete to fertilize an egg, a cell significantly larger in size.
- Fertilization signifies the formation of a zygote, which undergoes rapid cell division (2, 4, 8, 16, etc.) within the first 10 to 14 days.
- Once implanted in the uterine wall, the embryo develops organs and bones over the next 2 to 8 weeks.
- The fetal stage lasts from 9 weeks to birth, representing the final stage of prenatal development.
Fetal Life: Dangers
- The placenta filters many harmful substances but cannot block all, allowing teratogens to affect development.
- Teratogens are harmful agents like viruses and chemicals that can cause developmental damage.
- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) results from alcohol exposure, leading to cognitive, behavioral, and physical abnormalities.
Fetal Life: Responding to Sounds
- Fetuses can hear sounds in the womb and may recognize them after birth.
- They can habituate to repetitive sounds, reducing agitation over time.
Competent Newborn
- Newborns exhibit inborn reflexes essential for survival and feeding.
- Key reflexes include:
- Rooting reflex: Turning toward stimuli on the cheek with mouth open.
- Sucking reflex: Triggered by contact, such as a fingertip.
- Vocalizations when hungry to attract caregiver attention.
Brain Development
- In the womb, approximately 750,000 neurons are formed per minute during the middle trimester.
- Following birth, neural connections grow rapidly, leading to brain development.
- Early neural growth occurs in simpler brain regions to support essential functions, allowing for basic survival and body regulation.
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Description
Explore the key concepts of developmental psychology in this unit. Learn about the continuous development of individuals from infancy to old age and the influence of nature and nurture on this process. This quiz delves into the main issues and theories surrounding human development.
