Brain Development

Question 1

The concept behind brain development

Answer 1

The human brain adapts and develops throughout our lifetime
* the majority of brain development takes place between birth and adolescence (through myelination, neural pruning in some areas, and neural growth and increased connectivity in others)

Question 2

Biological explanation

Answer 2

• The brain develops by forming series of connections (synaptic growth)
• Neurons form a network of connections (synapses) that determine the extent and nature of an individual’s information-processing capacity
• Each neuron is covered with a kind of white matter known as myelin
  
  • myelination occurs when the brain grows larger or when complex processes are triggered - quickly after birth
• Human brains are made for lifelong learning: neural connections can be formed throughout the entire life of an individual

Question 3

Maturation theory

Answer 3

Brain development is the result of genetic mechanisms
* babies are born with “innate modules” and “core knowledge” relevant to the physical and social world - interaction with the environment may promote or hinder this maturation process

Question 4

The skill-learning theory

Answer 4

Argues that brain development is driven by learning and neuroplasticity
* environment and personal experience play a key role in the developing brain
* does not mean that there is no genetic component to brain development, but that the key changes observed in brain development during childhood are attributed to neuroplasticity

Question 5

Detail on the stages of maturation theory

Answer 5

Babies are born with a “developmental clock” that will determine when developmental milestones will occur (ex. when they will sit, walk, talk…)
* These milestones occur in a fixed sequence and at a specific time
* theory has major effect on other “stage theories” like Piaget’s
* Child development is based on innate behaviors which occur during “critical periods”
* if behaviour did not develop during that period it would be impaired

Question 6

Maturation theory: brain formation

Answer 6

• The brain starts developing just a few weeks after conception, and by the ninth week of pregnancy - divided into three distinct regions: the hindbrain (including the brainstem), midbrain, and forebrain
  
  • progresses from back to front, with the brainstem and hindbrain being the most active regions in a newborn, responsible for functions like sucking
  • the cerebral cortex, located in the forebrain, is the last region to develop
    * this area is associated with higher-level cognitive functions, which continue to develop through experience and learning

Question 7

Maturation theory: newborn

Answer 7

A newborn has a functioning nervous system that enables breathing, sucking, movement, a working visual system, and a core consciousness that responds to sensory experiences
* areas experiencing the fastest growth include the primary sensory and motor cortex, brainstem, thalamus, and hippocampal region

Question 8

Maturation theory: 2-3 months

Answer 8

The parts of the brain involved in sensation, perception, motor learning, and muscle movement begin to grow rapidly (parietal lobe, cerebellum)
* By 3 motnhs, baby can recognise familiar people by sight
* Towards end of this stage, some reflex behaviours begin to fade

Question 9

Maturation theory: 6-12 months

Answer 9

The frontal lobes and prefrontal areas of the cortex become more active as neurons grow and undergo myelination
* frontal cortex is crucial for higher cognitive functions like decision-making, memory, and impulse control
* psychologists believe that these brain developments provide the foundation for more complex behavior and enhance the child’s capacity for learning

Question 10

Maturation theory: middle childhood

Answer 10

The growth of the frontal lobes continues
* Between five and seven, brain changes enable the frontal lobes to better coordinate the activities of other brain regions, allowing for more complex behaviors
* frontal lobes are responsible for controlling attention, planning, and engaging in self-reflection
* individuals with frontal lobe damage struggle with planning, lack self-control, and are easily distracted

Question 11

Maturation theory: post adolescence

Answer 11

During adolescence, we develop the ability to think more abstractly - less dramatic but crucial brain changes
* reorganisation and myelination of higher brain centers continue until at least age 20, enabling faster information processing and more advanced cognitive functions, such as strategic planning
* prefrontal cortex, responsible for higher-level thinking, last brain region to fully mature, typically around age 25, or even later

Question 12

Strengths of maturation theory (2)

Answer 12

• There is support for brain maturation linked to development in animal research
• Some behaviors are seen very early in the life of a child - some areas of the brain have been shown to develop in a predictable manner and may have “sensitive” periods for development

Question 13

Limitations of maturation theory

Answer 13

• It is not possible, however, for us to carry out developmental tests in PET or fMRI - research is carried out on infants with suspected clinical symptoms
• Even though infants appear to be “pre-wired” for certain types of learning - study 4-month-old infant show they have already had hundreds of hours of experience
  
  • cannot rule out the role of learning and neuroplasticity
• Maturation, and neuroplasticity are not mutually exclusive - that is, neither theory can explain the complexity of human development on its own