Infant Development in Developmental Psychology
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of developmental psychology?

  • The genetic basis of behavioral traits
  • The study of abilities' development throughout childhood (correct)
  • Comparing different cultural parenting styles
  • Analyzing adult cognitive functions exclusively

What term describes the substances that can cause atypical development if a child is exposed to them in utero?

  • Neurotoxins
  • Neurotransmitters
  • Endocrine disruptors
  • Teratogens (correct)

At what age does synaptogenesis begin to decline if synapses are not actively used?

  • After 2 years (correct)
  • By age 6
  • Around 1 year
  • At birth

What is the percentage of an adult brain size that an infant's brain reaches by 6 months old?

<p>50% (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a potential consequence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD)?

<p>Decreased reaction times in infancy (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which debate in developmental psychology examines whether development occurs in stages or gradually?

<p>Continuity vs discontinuity (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What occurs in the brain around the age of 2 regarding synapses?

<p>Used synapses are maintained while unused ones are trimmed (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the effects of exposure to air pollution during pregnancy, according to studies?

<p>Genetic mutations in newborns (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What foundational ability allows children to understand that other people can have different beliefs and desires?

<p>Theory of mind (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

At what age do children begin to show understanding of the action capabilities of different agents?

<p>3 years (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an aspect of executive functions?

<p>Physical endurance (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What task is used to assess a child's explicit understanding of theory of mind?

<p>False belief task (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is the classic false belief task criticized?

<p>It may be too complicated for children (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is implied by the unexpected content task regarding young children's understanding of others?

<p>Children by age 2.5 recognize that others can be mistaken. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What primary function does inhibition serve in executive functions?

<p>It helps children resist distractions and control impulses. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key finding from the violation of expectation task?

<p>Children show surprise when agents have incomplete knowledge (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

At what age do children typically begin to pass the explicit false belief task?

<p>Age 4 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which phase of development is critical for significant improvement in theory of mind?

<p>3 to 4 years (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the concept of preservation in infants?

<p>Infants continue reaching for an object despite its inaccessibility. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the contact principle in child development?

<p>Children learn through direct interaction (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following relates to children's ability to manage multiple tasks?

<p>Executive functions (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of the marshmallow test in evaluating children's executive functions?

<p>Assessing children's ability to delay gratification. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does social cognition refer to in developmental psychology?

<p>Processes used to understand the social world (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What mechanism do implicit measures rely on to assess theory of mind in younger children?

<p>Looking time as a measure of expectation. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What kind of executive function is shifting primarily associated with?

<p>Flexibility in adjusting to new tasks and perspectives. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The A not B error in infants is indicative of what cognitive challenge?

<p>Lack of understanding regarding object permanence. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the three main components of executive functions?

<p>Inhibition, working memory, and shifting (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'A not B error' in the context of executive functions?

<p>A reflection of perseveration in infancy (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of tasks do children with ASD struggle with regarding theory of mind?

<p>Typical false belief tasks (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are mirror neurons suggested to contribute to in individuals with ASD?

<p>Understanding other people's actions and imitation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What common symptom might children with ASD exhibit that is also associated with ADHD?

<p>Deficits in executive functions (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a typical symptom associated with ASD?

<p>Superior cognitive performance (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does a child with ASD generally respond to direct eye gaze?

<p>They find it overwhelming and unsettling (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the development of imitation differ in children with ASD compared to typical development?

<p>Children with ASD show impaired imitation, especially without visible effects (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of tasks can be classified as 'hot' based on emotional responses?

<p>Emotional recognition tasks (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one theory regarding the impairments observed in children with ASD?

<p>They have a dysfunction of mirror neurons. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What cognitive ability do infants lack during the sensorimotor stage?

<p>Object permanence (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

At what age do children typically enter the formal operational stage according to Piaget?

<p>12 years (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which task demonstrates children's inability to recognize multiple perspectives during the pre-operational stage?

<p>Three mountain task (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of the egocentrism observed in children during the pre-operational stage?

<p>Inability to understand others' perspectives (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Piaget, what differentiates the concrete operational stage from the pre-operational stage?

<p>Understanding conservation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the phenomenon when infants continue to reach for an object in its original location after it has been moved?

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

In the context of Piaget's stages, what is 'constructivism'?

<p>A perspective that children actively build their own understanding (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of research during the early days of developmental psychology, as indicated in the historical context?

<p>Cognitive development (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which stage occurs during the ages of 2 to 6 years?

<p>Pre-operational stage (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which key figure is NOT associated with early research in developmental psychology?

<p>Carl Rogers (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Piaget, what do children begin to understand by the end of the sensorimotor stage?

<p>Symbolism and independent existence of objects (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the understanding that changes in appearance do not alter the underlying reality?

<p>Conservation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly reflects a criticism of Piaget's theory of development?

<p>It underestimates the abilities of infants (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Vygotsky's zone of proximal development (ZPD) emphasize?

<p>The gap between what a child can do alone and what they can do with guidance. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which concept refers to when a child uses the emotional responses of others to guide their actions?

<p>Social referencing (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of Cognitive Development did Piaget underestimate according to later research?

<p>The cognitive abilities of infants. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes the concept of motionese?

<p>An adaptation by adults to help infants process actions. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one major criticism of Piaget's theories?

<p>They did not consider the effects of peer interactions on learning. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

At what age do infants begin to develop object permanence?

<p>5 months (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the false belief task, where would Angela look for her chocolate bar?

<p>In the green box (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What abilities do infants improve in during their first year of life?

<p>Causal reasoning, imitation, and social referencing (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the key finding of Baillargeon et al. regarding infants' expectations?

<p>Infants look longer at impossible events, indicating expectations about reality. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the theory of mind?

<p>The ability to understand the mental states of oneself and others. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Johnson et al. (1991) find about newborns' preferences?

<p>Newborns follow face stimuli more than scrambled and blank stimuli. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is conceptual understanding different from procedural ability?

<p>Conceptual understanding involves grasping ideas, whereas procedural ability relates to executing tasks. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Piaget find regarding children's ability to judge perspectives in the three mountain task?

<p>Children under 7 struggled to understand how things appeared to others. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Developmental Psychology

The study of how and why biological, physical, cognitive, emotional, and social abilities develop throughout childhood.

Stability vs. Change

A key debate in developmental psychology asking whether traits remain consistent or change over time.

Continuity vs. Discontinuity

A key debate in developmental psychology concerning whether development occurs gradually or in distinct stages.

Nature vs. Nurture

A central debate in developmental psychology about the relative contributions of biological factors (nature) and environmental factors (nurture) to development.

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Teratogens

Substances that can cause atypical development in a child if they are exposed in the womb.

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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)

Conditions resulting from alcohol exposure during pregnancy, leading to physical, mental, and behavioural problems in the child.

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Infant Brain Development (pre-birth)

Brain growth and development, including myelination and synaptogenesis, occurring in the womb

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Neural Plasticity

Ability of the brain to form and maintain synapses; diminishes with age.

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Sensorimotor Stage

The first stage of cognitive development (0-2 years), where infants use senses and movements but have limited thinking.

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Object Permanence

The understanding that objects still exist even when out of sight.

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A-not-B Error

Infants' tendency to search for a hidden object in a previously successful location (A), despite seeing it moved to a new location (B).

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Preoperational Stage

Cognitive development stage (2-7 years) where children have difficulty understanding viewpoints other than their own.

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Egocentrism

Inability to see things from another person's perspective.

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Three Mountain Task

A test of egocentrism, where children struggle to recognize different perspectives on a display of mountains.

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Concrete Operational Stage

Cognitive development stage (7-12 years) where children can think logically about concrete problems but struggle with abstract concepts.

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Conservation

Understanding that the amount of something remains the same even if its appearance changes.

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Formal Operational Stage

Cognitive development stage (12+ years) where children can think abstractly and hypothetically.

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Constructivism

The idea that learners actively build their understanding of the world, rather than passively absorbing information.

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Jean Piaget

Swiss psychologist who developed a stage theory of cognitive development in children.

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Cognitive Development

The process of acquiring knowledge and understanding throughout the lifespan.

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Stage Theory

A theory proposing that development occurs in distinct stages with specific characteristics.

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Industrial Revolution

A period of major industrialization that increased the need for a more educated workforce.

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Emotional and Social Development

The process of developing feelings, relationships, and social skills throughout life.

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Social Constructivism

The idea that children build knowledge through interactions with other people, especially their communication and relationships.

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Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)

The difference between what a child can do independently and what they can achieve with help from adults or peers.

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Social Referencing

When children use the emotional responses of others to guide their own actions.

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Conceptual Understanding vs. Procedural Ability

Understanding a concept doesn't always mean being able to perform the related task.

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Motionese

A way adults adapt their movements and speech when interacting with babies, aiding their learning.

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Contract Principle

The idea that inanimate objects in motion only interact when they physically touch.

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Theory of Mind

The ability to understand the mental states of yourself and other people.

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False Belief Task

A test to measure theory of mind, where a person's understanding of another's false belief is assessed.

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Vygotsky's Criticism of Piaget

Vygotsky argued that Piaget underestimated the importance of social interaction in learning and didn't fully consider the child's perspective.

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Piaget's Underestimation

Piaget's theories underestimated the capabilities of young children, especially in areas like object permanence and causal reasoning.

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Imitation in Infants

Infants show an innate ability to mimic facial and motor gestures, demonstrating early learning.

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Early Sensory Experiences

Varied sensory experiences in early development provide numerous benefits to infants.

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Scaffolding Learning

Adults provide support and guidance to help infants learn, similar to how scaffolding supports construction.

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Executive Functions

A set of cognitive skills that allow us to control our thoughts, emotions, and actions. They help us plan, focus, and regulate our behavior.

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What are examples of Executive Functions?

Examples of executive functions include attention, planning, working memory, and self-control.

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How do Executive Functions Develop?

Executive functions are not innate but develop progressively throughout childhood.

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Implicit Theory of Mind

Understanding other people's mental states, even without conscious awareness. This is shown in tasks like looking time.

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Explicit Theory of Mind

The conscious awareness of other people's mental states, thoughts, and feelings.

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Inhibition

The ability to control impulses and resist distractions. It's about stopping or delaying a response.

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Working Memory

The ability to hold information in your mind and actively work with it.

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Shifting

The ability to flexibly change your thinking or approach based on new information or demands.

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Perseveration

Repeating a behavior even when it is no longer useful.

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Mirror Neurons

Brain cells that are active both when you perform an action and when you observe someone else performing that same action.

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ASD and Imitation

Children with autism spectrum disorders often have difficulty imitating actions, especially when the actions are not immediately visible or have no obvious effects.

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Gaze Direction

The direction someone is looking can be a powerful cue for understanding their intentions, but people with ASD may struggle to use this cue.

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Study Notes

Developmental Psychology

  • Focuses on how biological, physical, cognitive, emotional, and social abilities develop throughout childhood.
  • Key debates: stability vs. change, continuity vs. discontinuity, nature vs. nurture, critical vs. sensitive periods.
  • Understanding adult minds, developmental conditions, and the nature of abilities.

Infant Development

  • Prenatal development: Begins in utero; gestation period ~38-40 weeks (9 months).
  • Brain development: Infant brains are structurally similar to adult brains but much smaller (approx. 1/4 the size). By 6 months, the brain reaches 50% of adult size.
  • Neural development: At birth, neurons are not fully myelinated or connected. Myelination and synaptogenesis (synapse formation) continue until ~2 years. Unused synapses are pruned. Neural plasticity diminishes with age.

Infant Development - Prenatal Influences

  • Teratogens: Substances that can cause atypical development if exposed to the infant prenatally. Examples of teratogens include air pollution and PVC elements.
  • Prenatal exposure to teratogens: Exposure directly impacts development.
  • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD): Alcohol exposure in the womb can lead to physical, mental, and behavior impairments.
  • FASD Impacts: Infants: lengthened reaction times; preschoolers: decreased attention, hyperactivity; children/adolescents: learning problems, memory deficits; adults: impaired problem solving, increased substance dependence.

History of Studying Development

  • Initial focus: Cognitive development (education, learning).
  • Later focus: Emotional, social development, adulthood development.
  • Key figures: John B. Watson (mid-18th century), Charles Darwin (1877), Wilhelm Preyer (1882).
  • Empirical studies: ~47 by 1880, across Europe and North America.
  • Key figures (20th Century): Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky, and John Bowlby.

Jean Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development

  • Stage Theory: Children progress through a series of cognitive stages toward adulthood.

  • Stages:

    • Sensorimotor (0-2 years): Infants sense and move, with limited cognition. Lack of object permanence. A-not-B error (persist in search of hidden object in previous location).
    • Preoperational (2-6 years): Egocentrism; difficulty understanding perspectives (three mountains task). Cannot conserve quantities (lack of operations).
    • Concrete operational (7-12 years): Can solve concrete problems, perform operations.
    • Formal operational (12 years – adulthood): Systematic reasoning, hypothetical situations, scientific reasoning.

  • Constructivism: Children actively construct understanding rather than passively absorbing it.

Lev Vygotsky's Social Constructivism

  • Social constructivism: Knowledge construction through interaction with others.
  • Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD): Gap between what a child can do independently and what they can achieve with guidance.
  • Significance of social interactions: Emphasised the crucial role of social interactions in learning and cognitive development.

Theory of Mind

  • Definition: Ability to understand mental states (beliefs, desires) of oneself and others.
  • Early development: Emerging from infancy, with notable improvements between ages 3-4. Tested using false belief tasks. Implicit ToM evident earlier, measured using looking time.
  • Assessment: False-belief tasks, violation-of-expectation tasks, unexpected content tasks.

Executive Functions

  • Definition: Cognitive abilities for voluntary behavior control (attention, planning). Includes inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility.
  • Development: Develop gradually throughout childhood.
  • Assessment: Examples include the marshmallow test and "A-not-B" error. Preservation is a factor; performance varies with context.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

  • Characteristics: Impairments in social skills, communication, restricted/repetitive behaviors.
  • Cognitive implications: Deficits in theory of mind, executive functions, and imitation.
  • Mirror neurons: Possible dysfunction in mirror neurons (brain cells activated by observing actions) as a contributing factor.
  • Eye tracking research: Children with ASD show similar expectations but struggle with using gaze for intention inference. Direct eye gaze is particularly challenging.

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Description

This quiz covers key concepts in infant development as part of developmental psychology, including prenatal influences, brain and neural development, and critical debates in the field. Test your knowledge on how these aspects shape cognitive and emotional growth during childhood.

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