Psychology of Human Development Lecture 1

This field of psychology studies changes in human psychology throughout a lifetime.

Psychology identifies three key areas of change: biological, psychological, and social.

It explores both the nature of developmental changes and the factors that cause them.

This view, championed by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, emphasizes innate, biological factors in human development.

John Locke's view emphasizes the role of experience and learning in shaping development.

An attempt to reconcile nativism and empiricism, suggesting both innate and environmental factors contribute to development.

Touch is the first sense to develop in a newborn.

Fetal development includes pressure from amniotic fluid, contact with the uterine wall, placenta, umbilical cord, and self-touch.

A newborn's sense of balance allows for responses to positional changes and stimulation.

Monkeys deprived of soft contact developed digestive issues and impaired growth.

Mother's movement, breathing, and the newborn's own movement contribute to touch development after birth.

Newborns have a natural preference for sweet tastes.

Newborns react to loud noises with increased activity, heart rate, and potentially restlessness.

Newborns initially react to changes in light intensity. Eyelids fully open around 6 months.

Touch is the first sense to develop in a newborn.

Pressure from amniotic fluid; touching the walls of the uterus, placenta, umbilical cord; self-touch; sucking on the thumb.

Newborns react to touch with movements like a response to touch.

Touch is crucial for the development of the rooting and sucking reflex, as well as forming emotional attachments.