Human Development: Prenatal & Infant Development

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Questions and Answers

A researcher is studying the impact of early childhood experiences on adult social behavior. Which aspect of human development is this researcher primarily focused on?

  • Infant motor skill acquisition.
  • Prenatal sensory development.
  • Continuity and change across the lifespan. (correct)
  • Stage-based change in adolescence.

Which research methodology would be most effective in determining the age at which infants begin to differentiate between complex visual stimuli?

  • Preferential looking paradigm. (correct)
  • Analysis of infant emotional responses.
  • Longitudinal study of cognitive development.
  • Cross-sectional study of social behavior.

A pregnant individual is exposed to a substance known to interfere with fetal development, resulting in a specific birth defect. What is the MOST accurate term for this substance?

  • Teratogen (correct)
  • Neurotransmitter
  • Progenitor
  • Morphogen

A researcher aims to understand if specific cognitive skills develop gradually over time or emerge in distinct stages during childhood. Which research approach would best address this question?

<p>Analyzing the nature of cognitive development. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Considering the stages of human development, if a study focuses on the period from conception to approximately 2-3 years of age, which developmental period is being examined?

<p>Prenatal period and infancy (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A developmental psychologist is investigating the impact of different parenting styles on children's moral development. Which area of human development is this study MOST directly addressing?

<p>Social and moral behaviour (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the impact of fetal auditory experience on newborn behavior?

<p>A newborn shows a preference for lullabies that were frequently played during the mother's pregnancy over unfamiliar music. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If a researcher aims to study the differential impact of auditory stimuli on fetal heart rate, which experimental design would provide the most nuanced understanding?

<p>Comparing fetal heart rate changes when exposed to classical music versus the mother's voice reading a poem. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately describes the concept of a 'critical period' in prenatal development?

<p>A limited time window during which specific organ systems are most susceptible to damage from teratogens, resulting in significant developmental abnormalities. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A pregnant woman is exposed to a known teratogen during the embryonic period. Which of the following is the LEAST likely outcome for the developing fetus?

<p>Subtle cognitive deficits that become apparent in childhood. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A researcher is investigating the long-term effects of prenatal exposure to a specific teratogen. Which methodological approach would be MOST effective in isolating the teratogen's specific impact?

<p>Implementing a longitudinal study tracking the developmental trajectories of individuals with and without prenatal exposure to the teratogen, controlling for confounding variables. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Considering the interplay between fetal sensory experiences and postnatal adaptation, which newborn behavior BEST exemplifies the continuity of perceptual development from the prenatal to the neonatal period?

<p>The consistent preference for the mother's voice over unfamiliar female voices, suggesting auditory learning in utero and recognition postnatally. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How might a mother's dietary habits during pregnancy influence the taste preferences of her child after birth?

<p>The child may exhibit different reactions to certain foods based on the mother's eating habits during pregnancy. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During which stage of prenatal development does the zygote implant into the uterine wall?

<p>Germinal (zygotic) stage (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

At approximately how many weeks does the embryonic stage of prenatal development conclude?

<p>8 weeks (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following processes primarily occur during the fetal period?

<p>Neurogenesis, myelination, synaptogenesis, and synaptic pruning (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'The womb is not a vacuum!' suggest?

<p>The prenatal environment significantly influences development. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How might synaptic pruning during the fetal period contribute to neural development?

<p>By eliminating unused or unnecessary connections, enhancing the efficiency of neural networks. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best exemplifies how early experiences during prenatal development can influence later life?

<p>Exposure to certain nutrients prenatally might alter metabolic predispositions postnatally. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How are neurogenesis and myelination related during prenatal brain development?

<p>Neurogenesis is the formation of new neurons, while myelination insulates these neurons to speed up signal transmission. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Assume a pregnant mother consistently consumes a diet high in processed sugars. What potential impact might this have on her developing fetus?

<p>It may increase the odds of the child developing a preference for sweet tastes, and affect metabolic regulation. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why are the four stages of human development, particularly those involving significant changes, emphasized in developmental psychology?

<p>These stages are critical because early experiences during these periods profoundly shape later development and individual differences. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of prenatal development being divided into distinct stages (zygotic, embryonic, and fetal)?

<p>Each stage is characterized by unique developmental processes and vulnerabilities. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why might early autobiographical memories from infancy be vague or non-existent for many individuals?

<p>The encoding and retrieval processes for memory change significantly over time, making early memories inaccessible in later life. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do early experiences in infancy, such as language acquisition, influence an individual's developmental trajectory?

<p>Infancy represents a sensitive period where exposure to specific stimuli is most impactful, setting a foundation for future skills and abilities. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what capacity do experiences accumulated in utero contribute to human development?

<p>They may predispose the organism to certain physiological or behavioral traits, influencing later development and individual variation. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the most significant implication of recognizing the importance of early experiences, even those preceding birth, on human development?

<p>It underscores the importance of interventions and support during infancy and prenatal stages to optimize developmental outcomes. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Considering the potential impact of in utero experiences, how might prenatal care and interventions influence later developmental outcomes?

<p>Optimal prenatal conditions may mitigate genetic predispositions toward certain health or developmental challenges, setting the stage for more positive outcomes. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If early experiences, including those in utero, are crucial for normal development, what strategies might be effective in studying their long-term effects?

<p>Employing longitudinal studies that track individuals from the prenatal period through adulthood, integrating biological, psychological, and environmental data. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Given the limitations of autobiographical memory for early childhood experiences, what research methods can be used to understand the impact of these experiences on later development?

<p>Combining observational studies of infants with physiological measures and implicit memory tasks to infer early learning and experiences. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Human Development

The study of how people change and stay the same throughout their lives.

Continuous Change

Change occurs gradually, like learning more words over time.

Stage-Based Change

Change happens in distinct steps, such as a baby's first word.

Prenatal Period

Period from conception to birth.

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Infancy

The period from birth to about 2-3 years old

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Childhood

From about 2-3 years old to around 11 years old.

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Human Development Stages

Significant physical and emotional changes occur during these stages.

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Infantile Amnesia

The failure to recall events from early childhood.

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Importance of Early Experiences

Experiences during infancy are critical for typical development.

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In Utero Experience

The human organism starts accumulating experiences in the womb.

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Salient Experiences

Experiences of someone that people tend to be aware of, either physically or emotionally.

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Early Language Acquisition

Language is acquired more easily when learned earlier in life.

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Postnatal Development

Period after birth where significant changes take place.

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Prenatal Development

Period before birth where an organism is in the womb.

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Zygotic Stage

The first stage of prenatal development, from conception to implantation.

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Embryonic Stage

The stage of prenatal development that lasts from implantation through the 8th week.

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Fetal Stage

The final and longest stage of prenatal development.

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Neurogenesis

The process of generating new neurons.

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Myelination

The formation of the myelin sheath around nerve axons.

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Synaptogenesis

The formation of synapses between neurons.

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Synaptic Pruning

The process of eliminating weaker synaptic connections.

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Taste Preference (Prenatal)

Babies react differently to certain foods based on the mother's eating habits.

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Fertilization

The fusion of sperm and egg, initiating prenatal development.

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Fetal Senses

Fetuses can perceive tastes, smells, sounds, and tactile sensations in the womb.

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Fetal Audition

Fetuses react to external voices and music, demonstrating auditory perception differences.

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Teratogens

External agents that can cause damage or death during prenatal development.

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Critical Period (Teratogens)

The period during prenatal development when teratogens have the most severe impact.

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Neonatal Period

The period immediately after birth.

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Neonatal Sleep

Newborns spend approximately 2/3 of their day sleeping.

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Study Notes

  • Human Development, Part 1 focuses on prenatal and infant development.

Daily Objectives

  • Define ages of human development stages from life to death.
  • Define the stages of prenatal development, which are the stages the fetus goes through before birth
  • Characterize in-utero human perception and what fetuses perceive.
  • Define the term teratogen, give examples, and describe the effects on developing organisms.
  • Explain how preferential looking is used to measure infant perception.
  • Describe major patterns in motor development.

Human Development Study

  • The study of human development examines continuity and change across a person's lifespan.
  • The course explores continuity and change across sensation and perception, cognition and language, emotion, and social and moral behavior.
  • Four main periods of human development covered are:
  • Prenatal period and infancy (conception - 2-3 years)
  • Childhood (2-3 – 11 years)
  • Adolescence (12 – ??? years)
  • Adulthood (??? years – death)
  • Significant changes occur during these periods
  • Early experiences in infancy are crucial to normal development and for the myriad of individual differences observed across the human population.
  • In utero experiences shape the human organism prior to birth.
  • Taste preference may begin in the womb based on the mother's eating habits and sensory capabilities like sight, smell and hearing.

Prenatal Development

  • Human experience starts with conception.
  • Prenatal development occurs in the time before birth which include:
  • Germinal stage lasting 0-2 weeks
  • Embryonic stage lasting 3-8 weeks
  • Fetal stage lasting 9 weeks to birth

Brain Development

  • Much experience and learning occur during the fetal period through:
  • Neurogenesis
  • Myelination
  • Synaptogenesis
  • Synaptic Pruning

Fetal Sensation

  • The womb is not a vacuum and fetuses can experience stimuli in utero.
  • Stimuli include tastes, smells, sounds, and tactile sensations.
  • The fetal heartbeat changes in reaction to external voices being played, differently to music than speech.
  • Newborns recognize their mother's language and voice minutes after birth.

Teratogens

  • Not every experience in utero is positive; teratogens are external agents that cause damage/death during prenatal development.
  • Teratogens mostly affect fetuses during critical/sensitive periods.

Neonatal Period

  • The average neonate (newborn) spends most of the day sleeping, roughly 2/3 of the day
  • Be able to interpret diagrams illustrating hours of total sleep, REM sleep and NREM sleep.

Perceptual Development

  • Perceptual development begins in utero, but after birth, perceptual experiences are much richer.
  • Sensation involves sensory organs detecting of physical signals, and is "filtered" in utero.
  • Perception is the organization/interpretation of sensory information into coherent understanding.

Measuring Infants' Perception

  • Optometrists measure visual acuity and color vision, and infants' abilities can be measured as well.
  • Preferential looking is one method.
  • Infants prefer looking at objects or events that are interesting, stimulating, or familiar.

Visual Acuity

  • Infants will look longer at something more interesting, which reveals visual acuity.
  • In the first month, infants' visual acuity improves from approximately 20/400 to 20/120.
  • Adult-like acuity is achieved by 6 months.
  • Color and depth perception develop in the first 6 months, too.

Motor Development in Infancy

  • Perception and movements are related and are developing at the same time.
  • Initial infant movements are associated with crying, sucking and grasping.
  • Newborns' motor skills predominantly consist of reflexes, or automatic movements in response to a stimulus.
  • Some reflexes last for the entire lifespan, like coughing, sneezing, blinking, and withdrawal from pain.

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