Psychology Chapter on Cognitive Development

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of the 'Industry vs Inferiority' stage in Erikson's Theory of Psychosocial Development?

To explore autonomy and independence

To form trusting relationships

To establish a sense of identity

To develop a sense of competence and achievement (correct)

According to Erikson's theory, what outcome may occur if an adolescent cannot resolve the identity crisis?

Positive self-concept

Successful identity achievement

Feelings of isolation and depression (correct)

Enhanced autonomy

Which process involves intentionally focusing on information relevant to a current goal?

Active processing

Memory consolidation

Rehearsal

Selective attention (correct)

What is one potential negative outcome of identity foreclosure?

Committing to an identity without appropriate exploration Signup and view all the answers

In the context of Erikson's stages, what does 'identity diffusion' refer to?

Giving up on finding a sense of self Signup and view all the answers

Which philosopher is associated with the concept of Tabula Rasa?

John Locke Signup and view all the answers

What principle is primarily associated with John Watson and his view on child development?

Behaviorism and conditioning Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best reflects the views of Jean Jacques Rousseau on child development?

Children are innately good and learn through experiences. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of child development, which theory emphasizes the role of early experiences and emotional bonds?

Psychoanalytic Theory Signup and view all the answers

What key contribution did G. Stanley Hall make to the field of psychology?

Founded the first psychological journal in North America Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant criticism of the behaviorist view of development?

It fails to account for cognitive changes. Signup and view all the answers

What major change in the understanding of child development did Jean Piaget contribute?

Development involves substantial changes in information processing. Signup and view all the answers

Which theme in child development encompasses both innate characteristics and experiential learning?

Nature and Nurture Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Nature' primarily refer to in the context of individual differences?

Genetics and biological factors Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best explains the relationship between nature and nurture in language development?

Both nature and nurture are involved, with nature preparing us biologically while nurture determines the specific language. Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested by Watson’s Little Albert Study regarding innate fears?

Certain fears may be innate but require environmental triggers. Signup and view all the answers

In what way do children actively shape their development?

By showing preferences for specific activities and social interactions. Signup and view all the answers

What does continuity in development refer to?

A process of consistent and gradual change over time. Signup and view all the answers

Which mechanism is NOT mentioned as a process of developmental change?

Genetic mutation Signup and view all the answers

How does the sociocultural context influence development according to the content provided?

It plays a significant role in determining the context and opportunities for development. Signup and view all the answers

What is one way children demonstrate motivation to learn?

Through exploration and experimentation with their environment. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main process by which children adjust their understanding of the world based on new experiences?

Accommodation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following stages of Piaget's cognitive development occurs from birth to 2 years?

Sensorimotor Signup and view all the answers

What does the process of equilibration achieve in a child's cognitive development?

It balances assimilation and accommodation. Signup and view all the answers

What does Piaget's theory suggest about the nature of cognitive development in children?

It is discontinuous and influenced by nurture. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes assimilation in the context of cognitive development?

Translating new information into a form that is compatible with current understanding. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is likely to influence individual differences in cognitive development among siblings?

The order of birth and different parental treatment Signup and view all the answers

In the preoperational stage of development, which cognitive ability is most notably underdeveloped in children?

Logical reasoning Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes constructivism in the context of a child's learning process?

Knowledge is constructed based on personal experiences. Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept of psychosocial moratorium primarily associated with?

A time for adolescent self-discovery without adult roles Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does NOT influence identity formation according to the discussed content?

The adolescent's personal financial status Signup and view all the answers

Why is the influence of the unconscious mind considered important in identity formation?

It largely informs individual behavior and choices Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the functions of families mentioned in the content?

Emotional intelligence development Signup and view all the answers

What is an essential aspect of family dynamics as children develop?

They change as children reach different developmental stages Signup and view all the answers

How do parents function as indirect socializers?

By modeling behavior that children learn from observation Signup and view all the answers

Which parenting style is characterized by high demand and low responsiveness?

Authoritarian parenting Signup and view all the answers

In the context of identity development, how does drug use impact adolescents?

It undermines their ability to develop healthy identities Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Working Memory

Capacity remains relatively stable throughout much of development.
Serves as a workspace integrating environmental information and existing knowledge for active processing.

Cognitive Development: Acquisition of Strategies

Rehearsal: repeating information for memory improvement.
Selective attention: focusing on goal-relevant information.

Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development

Basic Trust vs. Mistrust (0-1 year)
Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (1-3.5 years)
Initiative vs. Guilt (4-6 years)
Industry vs. Inferiority (6-puberty)
Identity vs. Role Confusion (adolescence-early adulthood): Resolution leads to identity achievement; failure can result in identity confusion, foreclosure, or negative identity. Identity diffusion involves abandoning self-discovery. Identity foreclosure is premature commitment to an identity without consideration of alternatives. Negative identity opposes societal values.

Nature vs. Nurture Debate

Philosophical roots in nativism (innate knowledge) and empiricism (knowledge from experience).
Plato: innate knowledge.
Aristotle: knowledge learned through experience.
John Locke: tabula rasa (blank slate), emphasizing nurture and strict early parenting followed by progressive freedom.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau: innate goodness, learning through spontaneous interaction.

Child Development Study History

19th and early 20th centuries: social reform movements (child labor laws) and Darwin's influence (evolutionary perspective).

Key Figures in Child Development

Sigmund Freud: unconscious desires influence development; early years and emotional bonds are crucial.
G. Stanley Hall: first North American Ph.D. in psychology; founded the first psychological journal and the American Psychological Association; wrote Adolescence.
John Watson: founded behaviorism, emphasizing nurture and environmental conditioning (rewards and punishments), heavily influenced by Pavlov.

Behaviorism

Rewarded behaviors increase; unrewarded or punished behaviors decrease.

Cognitive Development Beyond Behaviorism

Development involves changes in both knowledge and underlying cognitive processes.
Experience alone doesn't fully explain development; cognitive factors are involved.
Jean Piaget: founded cognitive development; proposed a broad theory of cognitive change beyond behaviorist principles; highlighted brain maturation's influence on information processing.

Six Themes in Child Development

Nature and nurture
The active child
Continuity/discontinuity
Mechanisms of change
Sociocultural context
Individual differences

Nature and Nurture Interaction

Both genes (nature) and environment (nurture) contribute to development.
Example: language development; innate predisposition to language learning, but specific language learned depends on environment. Watson's Little Albert experiment suggests innate predispositions towards fear.

The Active Child

Children actively shape their development: preferences for attention, learning motivation (experimentation, language practice, pretend play), and active environment selection.

Continuity and Discontinuity in Development

Continuity: gradual, cumulative change (e.g., language).
Discontinuity: stage-like changes (e.g., motor development).

Mechanisms of Developmental Change

How and why change occurs: effortful attention, modeling, biological factors.

Sociocultural Context

Physical, social, economic, cultural, and historical contexts influence development.

Individual Differences

Genetic differences, birth order, gender, personality, and differing environmental choices contribute to individual variations, even within the same family.

Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development

Constructivism: children actively construct knowledge through experience and progress through distinct stages.
Assimilation: interpreting new information within existing understanding.
Accommodation: revising existing knowledge based on new experiences.
Equilibration: balancing assimilation and accommodation for stable understanding.

Piaget's Stages of Cognitive Development

Sensorimotor (birth-2 years): basic motor and sensory systems; assimilation, accommodation, and equilibration.
Preoperational (2-7 years): characterized by symbolic thought and egocentrism.

Psychosocial Moratorium (Erikson)

A period where adolescents explore identity without adult responsibilities; more common in privileged cultures.

Influences on Identity Formation

Parenting styles, individual behavior (e.g., substance use), socioeconomic status (SES), historical context, and access to support services.

Family Functions

Survival of offspring, economic provision, and cultural training.

Family Dynamics

Interacting influences among family members, changing with children's age.

Socialization

Parents as direct instructors, indirect socializers, and social managers.

Parenting Styles and Practices (mentioned but not detailed).

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the key concepts of working memory, cognitive development strategies, Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, and the nature vs. nurture debate in this comprehensive psychology quiz. Test your understanding of how these frameworks contribute to human growth and identity.