Psychology Chapter on Attachment and Development

Goslings and Attachment

• Lorenz discovered imprinting in animal behavior, observing that goslings attach to the first moving object they see.
• Conducted a study in 1952, dividing goslings into two groups: one saw their mother, the other saw Lorenz first.
• Results showed half the goslings followed their mother, while the other half followed Lorenz, indicating an innate drive to attach.
• Findings align with Bowlby’s theory of a biological readiness to bond with caregivers from birth.

Prenatal Development

• Conception occurs when a sperm penetrates an ovum, creating a zygote.
• Normal gestation lasts 280 days (40 weeks) post-fertilization, though it can be calculated as 266 days from the date of ovulation.
• Divided into three stages: Germinal (Weeks 0-2), Embryonic (Weeks 3-8), and Fetal (Weeks 9 until birth).
• Key events in these stages include fertilization, implantation, and significant organ development.

Key Events in Prenatal Development

• Zygote (2 weeks): Rapid cell division, implantation in the uterus, formation of the placenta.
• Embryo (6 weeks): Heartbeat begins, development of the central nervous system and major organs.
• Fetus (30 weeks): Growth and finishing stage, preparing for birth.

Piaget’s Stages of Cognitive Development

• Cognitive development happens in four stages: Sensorimotor, Preoperational, Concrete Operational, and Formal Operational.
• Stages follow a specific order, though timing may vary among individuals.

Sensorimotor Stage

• Duration: Birth to around 2 years; characterized by exploration using senses and motor activities.
• Key concept: Object permanence – understanding that objects continue to exist even when not observed.
• Infants learn cause and effect, but initially cannot distinguish self from the environment.

Preoperational Stage

• Age range: 2 to 6-7 years; marked by egocentric thinking and limited mental operations.
• Development of language and understanding of object permanence occurs.
• Egocentrism restricts children’s ability to see from others' perspectives.
• Engaging in pretend play and attributing human-like traits to inanimate objects is common.

Theory of Mind

• Preschools start to understand others' mental states, developing theory of mind.
• Children learn that others may hold beliefs different from their own, exemplified through tasks like the "Sally-Anne" test.

Conservation in Preoperational Stage

• Children struggle with the conservation concept, believing quantity changes when appearance alters (e.g., liquid in different shaped containers).
• Tend to rely on intuitive reasoning, often leading to illogical conclusions.

Concrete Operational Stage

• Ages 7 to 11; children can perform logical thinking regarding concrete materials.
• Understanding conservation and reversibility develops, allowing them to mentally manipulate and transform quantities.
• Capable of basic mathematical reasoning.

Formal Operational Stage

• Begins around age 12; abstract reasoning and systematic thinking emerge.
• Ability for metacognition increases; children can evaluate their thoughts and solve complex problems.
• Some individuals may not reach this stage in all areas of thought.

Criticisms of Piaget’s Theory

• Underestimated the capabilities of younger children and infants.
• Focused heavily on individual knowledge, neglecting cultural influences on cognitive development.
• Overlooked the variability in development across different domains.

Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory

• Emphasizes social interaction as crucial for cognitive development.
• Concept of the More Knowledgeable Other (MKO) highlights the impact of guidance from individuals with greater knowledge on learning processes.
• Language plays a key role in internalizing socially conveyed learning.

Explore the principles of gosling attachment behavior as discovered by Lorenz, emphasizing the significance of imprinting in animal psychology. Additionally, delve into the stages of prenatal development, covering critical events from conception to birth. This quiz will enhance your understanding of attachment theory and the biological processes involved in human gestation.