Psychology Perspectives on Development

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Questions and Answers

What is a critical period in development?

A span where no learning can take place.

A phase where organisms are greatly affected by specific stimuli. (correct)

A time when development is guaranteed to occur.

A duration that is irrelevant to behavioral changes.

How does a sensitive period differ from a critical period?

A sensitive period is less responsive to specific stimuli.

A sensitive period allows for no development outside its timeframe.

A sensitive period occurs only in the first few months of life.

A sensitive period has a less functional impact on behavior. (correct)

What is an example of the gene-environment interaction?

A child's physical growth is entirely due to diet.

All children develop the same skills regardless of their environment.

Personality traits are fixed and unchangeable.

Inherited intelligence influences how a child interacts socially. (correct)

Which model represents a purely maturational pattern of development?

Maturation model. Signup and view all the answers

What does Aslin’s model of attunement describe?

The permanent gain from a specific experience. Signup and view all the answers

How does Elizabeth Spelke's view on inborn biases relate to object perception in infants?

Infants are limited in their understanding of how unsupported objects behave. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the ecological perspective on child development?

A child’s development is influenced by their complex social environment. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of behavior genetics does hereditary impact the most?

Physical characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'nature' refer to in the context of human development?

Hereditary information received from parents Signup and view all the answers

Which philosopher argued that at birth the mind is a 'blank slate'?

John Locke Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes discontinuous development?

New behaviors emerge at certain stages Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of maturation imply in developmental psychology?

Patterns of change are genetically programmed and sequence-oriented Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following illustrates the importance of critical periods in development?

The inability to develop depth perception due to lack of vision in early life Signup and view all the answers

How is continuity in development best characterized?

It represents an accumulation of skills over time Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'ataxia' refer to in developmental context?

The balance and coordination of a child's walk Signup and view all the answers

Which statement aligns with the views of rationalists regarding knowledge acquisition?

Some knowledge is innate and part of human nature Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following illustrates the timing of experience in relation to development?

Experiences during specific developmental windows shape outcomes Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Perspectives on Development

Perspective is a viewpoint; no single perspective is definitively "correct."

Nature and Nurture

Nature: Hereditary information from parents.
Nurture: Environmental influences (physical and social) on biological and psychological development (e.g., language).
Syndrome: A collection of symptoms.
Neuroregeneration: Brain cells can regenerate.
Idealists/Rationalists (Plato, Descartes): Believed some knowledge is innate.
Empiricists (John Locke): Believed the mind is a blank slate (tabula rasa) at birth, with knowledge arising from experience.

Sequences and Stages

Continuity-Discontinuity Issue: Developmental psychology examines if development is a continuous process or occurs in distinct stages.
Continuous Development: Skills accumulate gradually (quantitative).
Discontinuous Development: New, different abilities emerge at specific, predetermined stages (qualitative).
Gait: How a child walks.
Ataxia: Impaired balance in walking.

Internal and External Influences (Modern Developmental Psychology)

Maturation: Genetically programmed sequential changes (universal, relatively insensitive to environment).
- Menarche: First menstrual period.
Timing of Experience: Maturation interacts with experience, highlighting critical/sensitive periods.
Critical Period: Specific environmental input is essential for development. -Example: Kitten needing early light exposure for depth perception.
-Example: The developing penis needing a specific time frame to develop for the correct sex
Sensitive Period: Optimal time for experience/ development (but isn’t required). Language development is an example.
Inborn Biases/Constraints: Development is shaped by prior biases, limiting possible developmental paths (e.g., object movement). Example: Children understand unsupported objects fall.

Fourth Perspective:

Behaviour Genetics: Studies genetic influences on behaviour (variations among individuals).
Research Focus: Twins (identical/fraternal), adopted children.
Gene-Environment Interaction: Genes influence the environment; environment interacts with genes.
Core Value: Values gained early (3-4 years old) influence ongoing development. Examples: feeling loved, different, etc.
Internal Models of Experience: Internal interpretations/views of experiences are pivotal, influencing future experiences
Aslin's Model of Environmental Influence (5 models): Details the ways in which the environment affects development. The models range from no environmental effects (maturation) to pure environmental effects (induction):
Maturation: A purely maturational pattern without environmental impact (e.g., eye color).
Maintenance: Environmental input is needed to maintain a skill already developed (e.g., swimming).
Facilitation: A skill or behavior develops earlier than usual due to experience (e.g., language).
Attunement: Particular experiences lead to permanent skill gains or heightened performance (e.g., reading).
Induction: Purely environmental effect: behavior doesn't develop without experience (e.g., playing piano).
Ecological Perspective: Focuses on external factors impacting development.
Bronfenbrenner's Model: Child develops within interconnected environments (family, culture, society).
Culture: Individualistic or collectivist cultures significantly affect development.

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Description

Explore the various viewpoints on development in psychology, including the nature vs. nurture debate and the continuity-discontinuity issue. This quiz examines key concepts like neuroregeneration, idealists vs. empiricists, and developmental stages. Test your understanding of these fundamental theories in developmental psychology.