PSYCHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT

DEFINITION

study of changes that occur as people/animals change & mature through interaction of nature & nurture

continuity view –gradual development

discontinuity view –succession of changes in STAGES

DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES & CRITICAL PERIOD

Developmental States: period of life initiated by distinct transitions (changes) in physical/psychological functioning

Critical period: when an individual is most receptive to certain changes Ex: toilet training, crawling, walking,

talking, reading

MATURATION Definition: unfolding of genetically

programmed processes of growth influenced by nature & nurture

Process of learning to cope & react in an appropriate way

Does not necessarily happen along with aging or physical growth a situation a person deals with helps prepare them for the next

ORDER OF PRENATAL GROWTH 1.) conception 2 weeks = ZYGOTE (fertilized

egg)

2.) cell division attach to uterine wall (outer cells placenta, inner cells EMBRYO)

3.) Nine weeks = fetus

4.) Placenta nourishes fetus & blocks TERATOGENS: substance capable of interfering with fetal development

5.) 250,000 neurons form each minute!

Prenatal Video

NEONATAL PERIOD (NEWBORN)

limited instincts/involuntary sensory behaviors

grasping reflex – respond to touch rooting/sucking reflex – respond to

touch near mouth & cheek

postural reflex – sit with support

INFANCY PERIOD

rapid, genetically programmed growth

perceptual skills develop tremendously

language acquisition – social interaction & hearing prepare infants to learn languages

LANGUAGE AND INFANCY inborn pattern of steps to understand vocab.

& grammar (Chomsky – Broca’s area of brain is programmed)

BABBLING– sequence of sounds; ALL sounds same!

ONE-WORD STAGE– overextension is common (“doggie” refers to all animals)

18 mo. – learning accelerates – asking questions to learn new vocabulary: naming explosion

TWO-WORD STAGE– range of meaning extends greatly & categories are common

MORE LANGUAGE

TELEGRAPHIC SPEECH– short, simple sequences of nouns & verbs

SYNTAX–sentence structure

SEMANTICS– meaning of words (i.e. add “ed” for past tense, “s” for plural, “ing” for action, etc)