CHAPTERS 1-2. Developmental Psychology. A Topical Approach to Lifespan Development

Transcription

1 CHAPTERS 1-2 Developmental Psychology A Topical Approach to Lifespan Development

2 Chapter one - Introduction The Lifespan Perspective You will be encouraged to think about how your early experiences have shaped the individual you are today and how your experiences today will impact the person you are in the future. Good for parenting in the future, insight into your own history & learning about how your life might be as you age.

3 Characteristics of Lifespan Perspective Lifelong DUH! Multidimensional biological, cognitive and socio-emotional Multidirectional while one skill or dimension increases, others may decrease. As you establish romantic relationships, time with friends may decrease Plastic the capacity for change. This is debated among developmentalists. Developmental Science is Multidisciplinary social scientists, neuroscientists, researchers are studying developmental phenomena Contextual normative age-graded/history-graded/nonnormative influences. It depends Growth, Maintenance, and Loss different various times. Co-Construction of Biology, Culture & the Individual responses and choices

4 Contemporary Concerns Health & Well-Being physical and mental health Parenting & Education bilingual children, daycare, divorce, parenting styles, preschool, poverty ----??? Sociocultural Contexts and Diversity culture, ethnicity, economic status, gender Social Policy government action to help citizens

5 Three Processes Biological Cognitive Socio-emotional These are inextricably intertwined cannot be teased apart. Integrated individuals. Processes can be bidirectional each effecting the other.

6 Biological Physical nature of individual changes Weight Height Cardiovascular strength Motor skills Hormones

7 Cognitive Processes Things that happen inside your head: Thinking Intelligence Language

8 Socio-emotional Changes involving relationships with others Emotional changes Personality changes

9 A developmental period is a time frame with certain characteristics Prenatal before birth Infancy 0-2 Early childhood 3-6 Middle & late childhood elementary school Adolescence 10ish-20ish (middle/high school) Early adulthood 20s & 30s Middle adulthood Late adulthood 60s/70s to death

10 Variability in capabilities of same-age persons. Age & Happiness happier as we age? How do we define age? Chronological - # of days Biological health of organs Psychological adaptive capacity Social connectedness with others/social roles In lifespan perspective all of the above are important (Think Blue Zones)

11 The BIG QUESTIONS Nature and Nurture is it biology or environment? Stability and Change degree to which characteristics persist Continuity and Discontinuity degree to which there is gradual changes or distinct stages of development Quantitative (continuous) change - or - Qualitative (discontinuous) change???

12 Theories of Development Group Project YEAH!!!

13 Here are the groups Erikson Psychosocial Theory Piaget Cognitive Development Theory Vygotsky Sociocultural Cognitive Theory Skinner Operant Conditioning and Bandura Social Cognitive Theory

14 ETHOLOGICAL THEORY Behavior strongly influenced by biology tied to evolution and there are critical periods. Imprinting (baby ducks) Attachment in babies/children makes a difference in how they attach as adults Critical periods vs. sensitive periods Evolutionary Psychology see chapter 2 this is also related to biology in a heavy way.

15 ECOLOGICAL THEORY Brofenvrenner s Ecological Theory environmental systems influence development If you really want to know about this, you can read about it on pages I don t plan to test you over this concept. Turns into a bio-ecological theory when biology is added. Family, neighborhood, church, school, work all influence development I like it generally.

16 ECLECTIC WHAT THE HECK DOES THAT MEAN? No single theory but a mix of the best features of numerous theories. This makes sense. Can take into account biology, environment and other factors.

17 + Research n This is a review n Observation naturalistic or laboratory n Survey and Interview just ask people! Be careful of sample & population & generalization. n Standardized Test n Case Study in-depth look at one case may or may not be typical for the generalized other n Physiological Measures medical tests neuroimaging

18 + TYPES OF RESEARCH n Descriptive observe and record only n Correlational Research determine the strength and nature of a relationship between two or more variables. The more correlated variables are, the more likely we can predict them in the future. n Experimental Research determines causality. n Independent and Dependent Variables n Experimental and Control Groups n Cross-sectional vs. Longitudinal studies

19 + Ethics in the Research Process n Informed Consent n Confidentiality n Debriefing n Limited Deception n Limit Bias as Much as Possible!

20 Evolutionary Perspective Really only cares if you make it to reproduction Natural selection and adaptive behavior How we make our decisions, how aggressive we are and our mating patterns are all interesting to those who study this perspective.

21 Is our extended childhood a result of evolution? Perhaps because we need time to develop a large brain and be prepared to live in society effectively. Evolved characteristics aren t as adaptive today as they once were food intake/ physiology of gorging high calorie cravings

22 Why do people live so long after reproductive years? Just a fluke? The old ones take care of babies and children? Aches and pains and declines of old age are not concerns for evolutionists. Natural selection is only tied to reproduction. What happens after that? Don t care. Alzheimer s not the purvey of an evolutionary psychologist.

23 Genes & Chromosomes Genes, Chromosomes, DNA, Mitosis, Meiosis, Fertilization, Zygote, Human Genome Project mapping genetics Genes don t act independently what are the relationships (dependencies) what turns on a gene or turns it off? GENE COLLABORATION Genotype all a person s genetic material Phenotype observable/measurable characteristics

24 More about genes Dominant/Recessive Genes Sex- linked Genes carried on only one chromosome (X or Y) Genetic imprinting genes have different effects depending on whether you got them from mom or dad. Polygenic inheritance interaction of many genes influences characteristics environment can impact characteristics, as well. Read in the text on Pages about genetic abnormalities

25 Behavior Genetics What is the role of heredity and environment on individual differences? Twin Studies Adoption Studies

26 Shared vs. Non- shared Environmental Influences Shared: Common experiences, parental personalities/intellectual orientation, socioeconomic status, neighborhood Non- shared: Birth order, any experiences unique to a child/not shared with a sibling

27 Prenatal Development/ Birth Please don t focus too much on these sections just pay attention to the following topics Hazards to Prenatal Development (starts p. 68) APGAR Scale (p. 80) Postpartum Period (p )