Introduction

Development – Sequence of age-related changes that occur as a person progresses from conception to death.

4 broad periods: 1.) Prenatal Development (between

conception and birth) 2.) Childhood 3.) Adolescence 4.) Adulthood

Begins with conception, ends with birth

Fertilization creates a zygote- one celled organism resulting from union of sperm and egg◦ All other body cells develop from this single cell

Development is rapid during this period◦ What would happen if this speed of development

continued after birth?

a.) Germinal b.) Embryonic c.) Fetal

Conception – first 2 weeks of life Zygote is created

◦ It becomes a microscopic mass of multiplying cells◦ Migrates from fallopian tube to uterus

On 7th day – the zygote implants on the uterine wall◦ Placenta forms during this process◦ Placenta- Structure allowing oxygen and nutrients

to pass into fetus from mother’s bloodstream and bodily wastes to pass out to mother

2 weeks – end of second month Vital organs and bodily systems begin to

form◦ Heart, spine, brain gradually emerge◦ Arms, legs, hands, feet becoming noticeable

Developing organism now called embryo

Highly vulnerable period

2 months – birth Organism now called fetus

◦ Capable of physical movement, organs are growing and beginning to function

Final 3 months◦ Brain cells multiply◦ Respiratory, digestive systems mature

Importance of maternal nutrition◦ Malnutrition =

Effect of drug consumption

Tobacco use =

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome – Collection of congenital problems associated with excessive alcohol use during pregnancy

STD’s

Reality of childhood: orderly, predictable, gradual progression

Motor Development- Progression of muscular coordination required for physical activity◦ Grasping, crawling, running, etc.

Older view of Motor Development:◦ Maturation – development reflects a gradual unfolding of

one’s genetic blueprint

New View:◦ Motor abilities develop as result of infants ongoing

exploration of own world

Developmental Norms- Typical (Median) age at which individuals display behaviors and abilities.◦ Important to realize these are group averages

Cultural Variations:◦ Culture we are raised in (environment) can alter how

quickly we reach developmental norms as children Ex.) Kipsigis

Attachment- Close emotional bond between infant and caregiver (usually mother)◦ Attachment is not instantaneous

Separation Anxiety- Emotional Distress seen in many infants when they are separated from caregivers◦ Ex study

Explanations for attachment◦ Behaviorists-

◦ Monkey study-

◦ Biological Explanation-

Mary Ainsworth outlined 3 attachment types between infant and caregiver

1.) Secure attachment – children play and explore comfortably with mom present; upset when she leaves and calm upon return◦ Mothers are responsive

2.) Anxious- Ambivalent – Anxious when mom is near; protest when she leaves; not particularly comforted upon return

3.) Avoidant- Seek little contact with mothers and not distressed when she leaves

These are dependent on role of mother These affect later relationships with others

Jean Piaget Theory:

Piaget developed stage theory of how thinking develops in children

4 stages:◦ 1.) Sensorimotor Stage◦ 2.) Preoperational Stage◦ 3.) Concrete Operational Stage◦ 4.) Formal Operational Stage

1.) Sensorimotor Stage- Birth to age 2◦ Children have some symbolic thought by end of period◦ Children begin to coordinate senses with movement

◦ Towards end of stage:◦ Object Permanence – Child recognizes that objects

continue to exist even when invisible Demo

2.) Preoperational Stage – Age 2- 7 Symbolic thought more fully developed with

flaws:◦ Centration – Focus on only one feature of a problem◦ Irreversibility – Inability to envision reversing an action◦ Egocentrism – Limited ability to see other’s viewpoint◦ Animism – Belief all things are living

3.) Concrete Operational Stage- Age 7 – 11◦ Flaws of previous stage corrected:

Reversibility, decentration◦ Conservation – Awareness that physical quantities

remain constant in spite of changes in shape or appearance Example conservation task

4.) Formal Operational Stage- 11 – Adulthood◦ Abstract thought develops◦ Able to envision hypothetical possibilities related to

love, justice free will

Kohlberg Theory of Moral Reasoning

When we are younger :◦ Acts are right or wrong because of rewards or

punishment◦ Laws are finite rules, no exceptions

As we become older:◦ Understand laws are necessary for social order◦ However, more flexibility in morals

Changes accompanying adolescence:◦ Growth Spurt◦ Puberty

Secondary sex characteristics – facial hair, muscle growth Primary sex characteristics- structures necessary for

reproduction

Females begin puberty at earlier age today◦ Why?

Who experiences most emotional difficulty?◦ Girls maturing early or late?◦ Boys maturing early or late?

Consensus among experts is that adolescence is not a particularly difficult period.

Not all experience storm and stress◦ However, it is the most common here than all

other ages

Class thoughts?

Main challenge of adolescence is to form clear sense of identity

People experiment with identities◦ Examples

Make decisions about how present selves to world◦ Fashion, interests, facebook wall

As people get older, tend to decline in:◦ Extroversion, neuroticism, openness in experience

As people get older, tend to increase in:◦ Agreeableness

Question of Midlife Crisis◦ Debate whether this turbulent period of doubt and

reappraisal of one’s life is typical◦ What does research suggest?

Transitions in Family Life◦ % postponing marriage to lage 20’s/early thirties is

increasing Why?

Adjusting to Marriage◦ Difficulties may arise from substantial differences in role

expectations

Adjusting to Parenthood◦ # choosing to remain childless increasing◦ Vast majority still have children, though

◦ New child can disrupt routines, and lead to postpartum distress

◦ Research on marital satisfaction for couples with children:

Adjusting to the empty nest Empty nest- when children leave the home

◦ Most adjust effectively◦ When do problems arise?

Age-Related Changes ◦ Hair grays, hairline recedes, baldness◦ Proportion of body fat increases, visual acuity

declines◦ Hearing sensitivity declines◦ Women reach menopause◦ Memory loss is moderate◦ Speed in problem solving and information processing

declines

Erik Erikson believed we progress through 8 stages during life.

He felt we must resolve a crisis in each stage

8 stages:◦ 1.) Trust vs. Mistrust◦ 2.) Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt◦ 3.) Initiative vs. Guilt◦ 4.) Industry vs. Inferiority◦ 5.) Identity vs. Role Confusion◦ 6.) Intimacy vs. Isolation◦ 7.) Generativity vs. Self-Absorption◦ 8.) Integrity vs. Despair

1.) Trust vs. Mistrust (to age 1)◦ Are our needs met from adults caring for us?

2.) Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (2-3)◦ Is child able to take some personal responsibility for

feeding, dressing?

3.) Initiative vs. Guilt (3-6)◦ Is child able to function socially in families?

4.) Industry vs. Inferiority (6- puberty)◦ Can child function socially in school and

neighborhood?

5.) Identity vs. Role Confusion- Adolescence◦ Does adolescent find sense of self?

6.) Intimacy vs. Isolation – early adulthood◦ Does individual find capacity to share intimacy with

others?

7.) Generativity vs. Self-Absorption- middle adulthood◦ Does individual show concern for future generation?

8.) Integrity vs. Despair – Retirement years◦ Does individual find meaning from life or bitterly dwell

on past?