Review slides

Relationship between Body and Spirit

• Descartes proposed dualism, viewing the body and spirit as distinct entities.
• The pineal gland, according to Descartes, is the point of interaction between the mind (spirit) and body.

Interaction of Theology and Physics in Dualism

• Descartes believed that theology and physics could coexist, with each adhering to its own principles.
• He emphasized the role of rational thought in understanding the universe, aligning physics with philosophical inquiry.

Cerebral Cortex and Visual Processing

• The occipital lobe is primarily associated with processing visual information.
• The temporal lobe is associated with language comprehension.

Neural Development Stages

• 'Proliferation' refers to the rapid generation of new neurons during neural development.
• Selective cell death and synapse elimination are termed 'apoptosis'.

Synaptic Overproduction and Pruning

• The period of overproduction followed by synapse pruning is known as 'synaptic pruning'.
• This process is crucial for refining neural connectivity and optimizing brain function.

Genetic Terms

• 'Genotype' refers to the genetic makeup of an individual, influencing various traits.

Brain Plasticity and Myelination

• Brain plasticity describes the brain's ability to change in response to experiences.
• Myelination is the process that coats neurons with myelin to facilitate faster transmission of signals.

Puberty and Hormonal Changes

• Puberty encompasses the physical and biological changes leading to sexual maturity.
• Hormone cascades during puberty trigger various developmental changes in the body.

Variability in Puberty Onset

• The age of onset of puberty varies due to genetic, environmental, and nutritional factors.
• Development continues until late adolescence and early adulthood.

Psychological Traits and Motor Development

• Late-maturing boys may exhibit traits such as increased sensitivity and social challenges.
• Cephalocaudal pattern refers to the development sequence from head to toe in motor skills.

Reflexes and Muscle Strength

• The stepping reflex disappears shortly after birth due to muscle strength limitations and returns as infants gain strength.
• Stepping reflex experiments outlined the role of physical readiness in motor skill emergence.

Phenotype Influences

• A parent's phenotype can affect a child's traits through genetic inheritance, impacting growth and development.

Height Changes in Boys

• Monitoring height changes yearly from birth to 18 years tracks growth patterns and potential health issues.
• Less synaptic pruning in younger children compared to older adolescents may indicate different developmental stages.

Consequences of Synaptic Pruning

• Significant synaptic pruning in adolescents can affect cognitive and emotional functions, potentially leading to mental health issues.

Language Development Influences

• Activity vs. passivity in childhood experiences significantly influences language development outcomes.

Age Comparison and Developmental Research

• Jessica can differentiate between the brains of a 10-year-old and 17-year-old by observing developmental markers.
• Cohort comparison is more suitable than cross-sectional comparison for understanding developmental trajectories.

Continuous vs. Discontinuous Development

• Continuous development suggests gradual changes, while discontinuous development proposes distinct stages.

Neurogenesis and Chemical Programming

• During neurogenesis, neurons migrate to their destinations based on chemical cues, forming connections with other neurons.
• Information processed primarily in the occipital lobe focuses on visual stimuli.

Synaptic Density Changes

• Synaptic density in the visual cortex decreases over time towards adolescence, indicating refinement of visual processing.

Dynamic Systems Theory

• The 'internal orchestrator' in dynamic systems theory refers to the innate regulatory processes driving development.
• Dynamic systems theory posits that a combination of interactions leads to developmental change.

Variability and Contextual Development

• Variability across contexts and timescales is illustrated within dynamic systems theory, emphasizing the need for adaptable interventions.
• John Locke emphasized the importance of environment and experience in shaping development.

Chemical Migration and Neuron Connection Development

• Neurons migrate based on chemical signals to establish connections with their "friends".

Prenatal Sensory Development and Change

• The prenatal period's primary focus is on sensory development and the establishment of foundational neural connections.
• Overproduction of synapses followed by selective pruning is termed synaptogenesis.

Theories of Development

• Theories such as self-efficacy focus on individual meaning-making processes within development.
• Evolutionary developmental psychology examines how human development reflects species evolution.
• The information processing theory focuses on how humans process, store, and manipulate knowledge.