Transcript PSYCHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT

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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
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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
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Ex: toilet training, crawling, walking,
talking, reading
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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
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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
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limited instincts/involuntary
sensory behaviors
grasping reflex – respond to touch
rooting/sucking reflex – respond to
touch near mouth & cheek
postural reflex – sit with support
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rapid, genetically programmed
growth
perceptual skills develop
tremendously
language acquisition – social
interaction & hearing prepare
infants to learn languages
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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
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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)