Introducción al Desarrollo Humano

Introduction to Human Development

• Human development encompasses biological, psychological, and social dimensions throughout life, evolving from infancy to old age.
• Human development is a continuous process, shaped by genetic, environmental, and sociocultural factors, influencing change and adaptation across the lifespan.
• Biological factors like genetics and hormonal changes affect physical growth and brain development.
• Cognitive development, focusing on thought processes and problem-solving, is influenced by factors like environmental stimuli.
• Psychosocial development involves navigating emotional and social milestones, including navigating conflicts like identity versus role confusion during adolescence.
• Behavioral perspectives emphasize environmental factors like reinforcement and punishment, influencing learning and behavior.
• Ecological perspectives highlight the complex interactions of individual and environmental factors, from family to cultural context.
• Humanistic perspectives focus on self-actualization and growth, with needs ranging from basic physiological to self-fulfillment.

Theories of Development

• Psychodynamic theories, originated by Freud and expanded by Erikson, emphasize unconscious drives and conflicts affecting personality and behavior.
• Freud's theory posits psychosexual stages where unresolved conflicts can lead to fixations.
• Erikson's psychosocial stages propose that overcoming developmental crises during different life phases fosters healthy personal growth.
• Behaviorist theories emphasize learning through conditioning and reinforcement, influencing observable behaviors.
• Cognitive theories focus on how individuals process information and form mental schemas—internal representations—as they grow and learn.
• Piaget's theory proposes four stages of cognitive development, each with distinct characteristics in how children interact with their environment and develop.
• Vygotsky emphasized the social and cultural context impacting cognitive development, highlighting concepts like the zone of proximal development.
• Humanistic perspectives highlight human potential, self-actualization, and inherent positive development.
• Maslow's hierarchy of needs reflects the idea that basic needs must be met before higher-level motivations can be addressed.
• Rogers emphasizes unconditional positive regard as crucial for personal growth and well-being.

Critical and Sensitive Periods

• Critical periods are short, specific windows in development. If adequate external stimulation does not occur during these periods, development may not proceed correctly.
• Sensitive periods are more extended periods—a broader window—in which the brain is receptive or adaptable to new stimuli, but development can continue later if the stimulation is not present.
• Environmental influences play a critical role and can either support or impede these periods of plasticity
• Early childhood is crucial for language development, affecting future learning and social skills.

Emotional Development

• Emotions play a major role in learning and development, impacting concentration and motivation.
• Both positive and negative emotions impact learning potential.
• Emotions guide interactions and behavior in social contexts and impact social development.
• Unresolved emotional conflicts can lead to problems impacting learning and behavior or cause an overall negative self-image, potentially affecting socialization.
• Emotional development is complex and multi-faceted, shaped by numerous interactions and relationships.