Infant Development and Reflexes

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Questions and Answers

What concept did Bowlby associate with early emotional bonds in infants?

Secure base for exploration (correct)

Temperamental differences

Strange situation test

Cultural variations

What is the relationship between motor skills and perceptual skills during infancy?

Perceptual skills hinder motor skill development.

Motor skills are only developed through observation.

Motor skills develop independently of perceptual skills.

Perceptual skills enhance the development of motor skills. (correct)

What was the primary finding of Harlow's 1958 study with infant monkeys?

Monkeys display no preference for caregivers.

Warm contact is essential for attachment. (correct)

Monkeys thrive better with wire mothers.

Infants prefer food over comfort.

What is individual autonomy linked to in Erikson's developmental stages?

Autonomy versus shame and doubt Signup and view all the answers

What significant change occurs in the brain after birth?

Unused synaptic connections are pruned away. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a reflex infants are born with?

Startle reflex Signup and view all the answers

What psychosocial stage involves mastering knowledge and intellectual skills?

Industry versus inferiority Signup and view all the answers

Which activity enhances young infants' object exploration skills, according to research?

Using sticky mittens Signup and view all the answers

What aspect is not sufficiently addressed by attachment theory?

Cultural variations Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary preference of infants shortly after birth when it comes to visual stimuli?

Faces Signup and view all the answers

What developmental task occurs in early childhood, ages 3 to 5, according to Erikson?

Initiative versus guilt Signup and view all the answers

What outcome is associated with Erikson's stage of trust versus mistrust?

Sense of security Signup and view all the answers

How do environmental experiences influence brain development in infants?

They help to form new synaptic connections. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common effect of synaptic pruning in infant brain development?

Reduction in unnecessary neural connections Signup and view all the answers

Which theorist developed the 'strange situation' test to evaluate attachment?

Mary Ainsworth Signup and view all the answers

During which period do infants typically make rapid gains in running and climbing?

In the second year of life Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of cognitive development?

The changes in thought, intelligence, and language processes as people mature Signup and view all the answers

In Piaget's theory, what does assimilation refer to?

The incorporation of new information into existing schemas Signup and view all the answers

Which stage of Piaget's cognitive development theory does not include the understanding of object permanence?

Preoperational stage Signup and view all the answers

At what age range does the preoperational stage occur in Piaget's theory?

2 to 7 years Signup and view all the answers

What does 'schema' refer to in the context of Piaget's theory?

A mental concept or framework that organizes information Signup and view all the answers

How is cognitive engagement related to aging, according to the content?

It can help slow the effects of age Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is representative of object permanence in cognitive development?

Recognizing that toys still exist when not visible Signup and view all the answers

What cognitive skill begins to emerge during the sensorimotor stage?

Use of symbols or words in thinking Signup and view all the answers

Which parenting style is associated with the most positive child outcomes?

Authoritative Signup and view all the answers

What is the key characteristic of identity achievement in Marcia’s identity statuses?

Commitment after exploration Signup and view all the answers

Which feature is not considered part of emerging adulthood according to Arnett?

Financial independence Signup and view all the answers

Which identity status involves commitment without prior exploration?

Identity foreclosure Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the permissive parenting style?

Provides few limits on child's behavior Signup and view all the answers

What challenge is particularly faced by marginalized groups in the context of identity?

Overwhelming cultural messages Signup and view all the answers

What is the main challenge during Erikson’s stage of intimacy versus isolation?

Forming intimate relationships Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a feature of emerging adulthood?

Stable family life Signup and view all the answers

What principle involves making compromises in a successful marriage according to Gottman?

Giving up some power Signup and view all the answers

What does generativity in Erikson’s seventh stage refer to?

Creating a personal legacy Signup and view all the answers

Which stage of Erikson’s theory focuses on reflecting on life meaningfully?

Integrity versus despair Signup and view all the answers

What concept describes the narrowing of social contacts in older adults?

Socioemotional selectivity theory Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a criticism of Erikson's theory?

Over-reliance on case studies Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to the social and psychological aspects of gender?

Gender identity Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes gender identity from sexual orientation?

Self-concept related to gender Signup and view all the answers

How does Erikson view development across the lifespan?

A lifelong process Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Infant Reflexes

Infants are born with many reflexes, which disappear as they mature.

Physical Development in Infancy and Childhood

Infants achieve many motor skills within 12 months, including sitting upright, standing, stooping, climbing, and walking.
In the second year, infants improve their running and climbing abilities.
Motor skills and perceptual skills depend on each other and environment.
"Perceptual looking" involves giving an infant a choice of what object to look at.
Infants prefer faces shortly after birth.
"Sticky mittens" enhance young infant exploration skills.

The Brain

Myelination continues after birth.
Synaptic connections increase dramatically in the first two years of life.
Unused connections are "pruned."
Brain development is a result of nature and nurture, meaning experiences in the world stimulate change.
Keeping the brain actively engaged can reduce the effects of aging.

The Brains of the Mankato Nuns

The Mankato Nun Study demonstrated the positive relationship between cognitive activity and brain health by following nuns over decades.

Cognitive Development

Cognitive development is how thought, intelligence, and language processes change as people mature.
Cognition refers to the operation of thinking.
Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development had significant impact.

Cognitive Development from Childhood into Adulthood

Humans use "schemas" to understand experiences.
Schema: a mental concept or framework that organizes information.
Assimilation involves incorporating new information into preexisting schemas.
Accommodation is adjusting one's schemas to new information.

Cognitive Development: Piaget's Stages

Sensorimotor Stage: From birth to 2 years old.
- Infants coordinate sensations with movements.
- They develop "object permanence," understanding that objects continue to exist even when not directly visible, heard, or touched.
- Infants begin to use symbols or words in their thinking.
Preoperational Stage: From 2 to 7 years of age.
- Children develop more advanced symbolic thinking.

Socioemotional Development in Infancy

Infant attachment: a close emotional bond between an infant and caregiver.
Bowlby theorized that early attachment sets the stage for future relationships.
Ainsworth developed the "strange situation test" to assess children's attachment.
Secure attachment: infants use their caregiver as a secure base to explore.
Attachment theory does not fully account for cultural variations or temperamental differences.

Contact Time with Wire and Cloth Surrogate Mothers

Harry Harlow's research in 1958 demonstrated the importance of warm contact in social bonding.
Regardless of which surrogate mother provided feeding, infant monkeys overwhelmingly preferred to spend time with the cloth mother.

Erikson's Theory of Socioemotional Development

Erikson proposed a theory of psychosocial development with eight stages, each representing a developmental task with two potential outcomes.

Socioemotional Development in Childhood: From Trust to Industry

Trust Versus Mistrust: From birth to 18 months.
- This stage involves the development of trust based on caregivers meeting the baby's needs.
Autonomy Versus Shame and Doubt: Toddlerhood, 18 months to 3 years.
- Toddlers assert their will and independence.
Initiative Versus Guilt: Early childhood, 3 to 5 years.
- Children are challenged to assume responsibility.
Industry Versus Inferiority: Age 6 to puberty.
- Children master knowledge and intellectual skills.

Parenting and Childhood Socioemotional Development

Baumrind identified four parenting styles.
- Authoritarian: Restrictive and punitive, with little verbal exchange.
- Authoritative: Encourages independence while setting limits.
- Neglectful: Lacking in parental involvement.
- Permissive: Few limits on the child's behavior.
The authoritative style is associated with the most positive child outcomes.
Cultural variations can impact parenting styles and their effectiveness.

Socioemotional Development in Adolescence: The Emergence of Identity

Erikson's stage of identity versus identity confusion: Adolescents confront new roles and adult statuses.
Marcia identified four identity statuses.
- Identity diffusion: No exploration or commitment.
- Identity foreclosure: Commitment without exploration.
- Identity moratorium: Exploration without commitment.
- Identity achievement: Commitment after exploration.

Identity within a Larger Culture

Cultural messages influence identity formation.
Forming an identity can be particularly challenging for marginalized groups.
Biculturalism presents another set of challenges.

Parents and Peers in Adolescence

Parents play a key role as effective managers.
Peer relationships are particularly important in adolescence and can have both positive and negative influences.

Socioemotional Development in Emerging Adulthood

Emerging adulthood: Transitional period from adolescence to adulthood.
Key features of emerging adulthood:
- Identity exploration (especially in love and work).
- Instability.
- Self-focus.
- Feeling "in between."
- An age of possibilities.
- Lasts from around 18 to 25 years of age.

Socioemotional Development in Early Adulthood

Erikson's stage of intimacy versus isolation: Focuses on forming intimate relationships, often with a romantic partner.
Marriage and Families:
- Adult attachments take on various forms, with cohabitation increasing significantly.
- Marriage often occurs later than it historically did.

Gottman's Principles of Successful Marriages

Gottman identified four principles that promote successful marriages:
- Nurturing fondness and admiration.
- Turning towards each other as friends.
- Giving up some power.
- Solving conflicts together.

Socioemotional Development in Middle Adulthood

Erikson's seventh stage: generativity versus stagnation, occurs in middle adulthood.
Generativity: Creating something of value for future generations.
Stagnation: The feeling of having done nothing of value.

Socioemotional Development and Aging

Erikson's eighth and final stage: integrity versus despair.
- Individuals seek to perceive life as meaningful and coherent.
Socioemotional selectivity theory: As time becomes more limited, older adults focus on meaningful relationships and activities.
Socioemotional factors influence physical health and vice versa.

Evaluating Erikson's Theory

Strengths:
- Emphasizes development as a lifelong process.
- Offers valuable insights into central themes across different life stages.
Criticisms:
- Relies heavily on case studies.
- Omits some important developmental tasks, such as those related to career.
- Lacks exploration of emerging adulthood.

Gender Development

Gender: The social and psychological aspects of one's experience with being male, female, both, or neither.
Gender Identity: A person's internal sense of self in relation to male, female, both, or neither.
- This is a continuum, not a binary.
Sexual orientation: Distinct from gender identity.
Gender expression: The ways people present themselves through appearance, voice, and behavior.

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Description

This quiz covers key concepts related to infant reflexes and physical development during infancy and childhood. It examines motor skills, perceptual skills, and the critical role of brain development influenced by both nature and nurture. Test your knowledge on how these factors contribute to early growth and abilities in infants.