Human Development: Nature vs Nurture

Questions and Answers

What is the definition of a cohort?

A group defined by shared economic status.

A group of individuals born within a few years of one another. (correct)

A set of individuals experiencing the same life events.

A community defined by shared cultural beliefs.

Which of the following represents normative age-graded influences?

Going through a major historical event

Experiencing puberty (correct)

Winning the lottery

Marriage in one's teens

What does the term 'non-normative influences' refer to?

Common societal events predictable by age.

Biological changes that happen at the same age for everyone.

Shared experiences within a cultural group.

Unique events that do not occur in a typical life course. (correct)

What best describes the concept of plasticity in human development?

Certain human traits can be molded over time. Signup and view all the answers

What is cross-sequential research?

Comparing different age groups at one point in time. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'epigenetics' refer to?

The influence of experiences and environments on genetic expression. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the nature-nurture debate?

It examines the interaction between genetic inheritance and environmental influences. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a 'critical period' from a 'sensitive period' in development?

Critical periods are fixed, while sensitive periods are flexible. Signup and view all the answers

How is the concept of multi-contextual development best described?

Development includes the influence of various social contexts over time. Signup and view all the answers

What does the lifespan perspective emphasize about human development?

Development is characterized by both continuity and discontinuity. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Understanding Human Development

Human development studies how individuals change throughout their lives, considering various ages and conditions.

Nature vs. Nurture

Nature: Involves genetic influences inherited at conception.
Nurture: Environmental factors impacting development, including personal experiences.
Epigenetics: Refers to environmental factors affecting genetic expressions.
Differential susceptibility: Highlights how experiences vary based on genetic predispositions.

Heredity & Environment

Human characteristics are influenced by epigenetics, representing the interaction between environmental factors and genetic inheritance.

Life Span Perspective

Development is multi-directional, changing in numerous ways over time; characterized by both gains and losses.
Variations in the pace of change exist; development is not strictly linear and can include continuity and discontinuity.

Critical and Sensitive Periods

Critical periods: Specific times where particular developments are essential for normal growth.
Sensitive periods: Times when certain developments occur most effectively.

Contextual Influences on Development

Multi-contextual: Development is impacted by various social contexts - individuals are influenced by their immediate environment and historical background.
Cohorts: Groups of individuals born within a few years, sharing similar experiences.

Normative Influences

Normative age-graded: Biological or environmental events affecting groups similarly, like puberty or social events.
Normative history-graded: Historical events impacting attitudes of those who experience them, such as wars and social movements.

Non-Normative Influences

Unusual events that influence individual lives, like atypical life experiences occurring at unexpected times (e.g., late puberty, winning the lottery).

Socioeconomic Context

Socioeconomic status (SES): Influences development through income, education, and neighborhood, intertwined with age and cohort factors.

Cultural Context

Culture: Shapes behavior and expectations through shared beliefs and social norms.
Social construction: Understanding based on collective perceptions rather than objective realities.
Challenges inherent in viewing differences as deficits; promotes respect for various cultures and groups.

Plasticity in Development

Plasticity: Humans are capable of change; traits can adapt and evolve over time.
Dynamic systems: Development is a continuous interplay between physical and emotional aspects, and individual environments, including family and society.

Research Methods in Development

Cross-sectional research: Comparison of different age groups at a single point in time.
Longitudinal research: Collecting data on the same individuals repeatedly over time.
Cross-sequential research: Combines both cross-sectional and longitudinal methods to study various age groups over a period.

Description

Explore the intricate balance of genetic and environmental influences on human development in this quiz. Delve into the nature-nurture debate and discover how each aspect contributes to our behaviors, emotions, and characteristics. Aimed at understanding the science behind human changes over time.