Questions and Answers
What are sensitive periods?
A period of time during development when an individual is more responsive to certain types of environmental experiences or learning.
When do sensitive periods occur?
Frequently during pre-natal development before birth.
Why are sensitive periods referred to as 'windows of opportunity for learning'?
Because they are optimal times for relevant learning to occur.
What do sensitive periods indicate?
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Do physical characteristics or psychological characteristics require longer sensitive periods?
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What is a critical period?
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Both critical and sensitive periods have identifiable ______...
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For how long do critical periods tend to last?
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What is the best-known example of a critical period in development?
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Study Notes
Sensitive Periods
- A sensitive period is a developmental phase when individuals are particularly responsive to specific environmental experiences and learning.
- These periods are crucial for optimal learning and development, signifying the brain's heightened receptivity to certain stimuli.
Timing of Sensitive Periods
- Sensitive periods commonly occur during prenatal development, characterized by rapid physical growth and changes.
- Development is influenced significantly during this time, paving the way for future capabilities.
Windows of Opportunity
- Sensitive periods are termed 'windows of opportunity for learning' because they provide the best conditions for acquiring skills, particularly language.
- Language acquisition is notably easier before the age of 12, highlighting the importance of these periods for linguistic development.
Brain Development and Learning
- Sensitive periods reflect the phases in brain development when certain synaptic connections and neural pathways are most easily established.
- Appropriate environmental stimuli are essential for facilitating this development during sensitive periods.
Duration of Sensitive Periods
- Physical characteristics have relatively short sensitive periods, while psychological characteristics require longer durations for optimal development.
Critical Periods
- A critical period is a distinct phase in development when an organism is especially vulnerable to the absence of specific environmental stimuli.
- Critical periods signify times when deprivation can significantly impact development.
Identifiable Timelines
- Both critical and sensitive periods have clear start and end times, often beginning and ending suddenly rather than gradually.
Duration of Critical Periods
- Critical periods typically last around the first six years of life, emphasizing early development as a crucial time for growth.
Example of Critical Period
- Imprinting is a well-known example of a critical period, such as a mallard duckling attaching to and following the first moving object it sees post-hatching.
- While imprinting is explicitly known, psychologists have not pinpointed specific critical periods for human mental processes or behaviors.
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Description
Explore the concept of sensitive periods in development through this quiz. Understand when these periods occur and their significance in environmental learning experiences. Test your knowledge on this critical area of developmental psychology.
