What is the study of developmental psychology? What do developmental scientists study? How have views of childhood shifted throughout history? What sources of information inform us... What is the study of developmental psychology? What do developmental scientists study? How have views of childhood shifted throughout history? What sources of information inform us about earlier beliefs? Describe the factors that led to an interest in the scientific study of children’s development in the 19th and 20th centuries. How did industrialization change the lives of children? Describe the central issues in the field of developmental psychology, as well as issues of plasticity and individual differences. What is the current view within each issue? Describe evidence that is relevant to the study of each of these issues. Why are theories so important, and what are the characteristics of a good theory? Describe the basic features of Freud’s and Erikson’s psychodynamic theories, Watson’s behaviorism, Piaget’s constructivist theory, and Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory. Compare the grand theories to modern theories such as Bandura’s social learning theory, evolutionary theory, information-processing, and Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model. Describe dynamic systems theory. Differentiate between material and symbolic cultural tools and provide examples. Describe the key criteria guiding scientific research. Differentiate between naturalistic observations and experiments, including advantages and disadvantages of each. Explain correlation and provide examples. Differentiate between longitudinal and cross-sectional designs. What are important issues to consider before conceiving a child? What are the stages of prenatal development? What are teratogens and their effects? How have pregnancies and births been affected by maternal starvation conditions? What do we know about fetal sensory development? Identify and describe in utero reflexes, best predictors of healthy births, childbirth triggers, and common medical interventions. How is a newborn evaluated? Discuss low and high birth weight rates. How do ethology concepts inform early parent-infant interactions? Describe the first year's growth pattern, neurogenesis, brain plasticity, and sensitive periods. What physiological measures are used to study newborns? What is known about their sensory abilities? Describe a classical conditioning study involving infants. What are newborn reflexes? Discuss newborn states of arousal, sleep, cultural factors affecting sleep, SIDS risks, effects of infant cries, and breastfeeding benefits. Describe growth patterns in young children's physical development. How does practice affect motor development? How do motor, cognitive, and social development interconnect? Are infants wary of heights? Discuss infants' cognitive abilities during the sensorimotor stage and criticisms of Piaget. What is known about infants’ understanding of physical laws and causation? How does categorical distinction ability change? What has research on infants’ understanding of numbers shown? Discuss memory development from 2½ to 18 months and findings on sustained attention. Distinguish between behaviorist and nativist theories of language development, characteristics of infant-directed speech, and fast mapping principles. Summarize findings on language acquisition in language-deprived environments. What are typical first words and types of errors infants make? What evidence suggests comprehension precedes production in language learning? What does research suggest about bilingual language learning in children?
Understand the Problem
The question covers a wide range of topics related to developmental psychology, including definitions, historical views, factors affecting children's development, key theories, research methodologies, and specific stages of development like prenatal and infant stages. It asks for descriptions of concepts, comparisons between theories, and evidence supporting various developmental ideas. It seeks to understand both the theoretical frameworks and practical implications of research in the field.
Answer
Developmental psychology studies changes across the lifespan, focusing on childhood as a distinct developmental stage.
Developmental psychology studies the growth and changes that occur throughout a person's lifespan. Developmental scientists examine various aspects like cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. Views of childhood have shifted from seeing children as miniature adults to recognizing them as individuals who go through distinct developmental stages.
Answer for screen readers
Developmental psychology studies the growth and changes that occur throughout a person's lifespan. Developmental scientists examine various aspects like cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. Views of childhood have shifted from seeing children as miniature adults to recognizing them as individuals who go through distinct developmental stages.
More Information
Earlier, children were often seen as mini-adults. Recognizing distinct childhood developmental stages influenced scientific, educational, and social reforms.
Tips
A common mistake is to assume children think and reason just like adults. Understanding that children have unique developmental stages is crucial.
Sources
- Developmental Psychology Overview - Simply Psychology - simplypsychology.org
- Perspectives on Childhood - Historical References - childhoodhistory.org
- Shift in Views of Childhood - Historical and Sociological Insights - historyofsociology.com
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