CH 4 Human Development (Questions)

Question 1

Myths about Early Experiences (4)

Answer 1

Infant Determinism: extremely early experiences (especially the first 3 years) are almost always more influential than later experiences in shaping human development

• Reality: experience depends on the domain; later childhood and adult experiences are important

Childhood Fragility: children can be easily damaged by experience

• Reality: young children are very resilient

Question 2

Clarifying the Nature-Nurture Debate (5)

Answer 2

The relationship between genes and environment is complex

A person’s genetic makeup can determine how they respond to certain environments

Nature via Nurture: People might have certain traits or tendencies because of their genes, which can influence the kinds of environments they choose or create (traits are influenced by nature more than we think)

Gene Expression: Environment influences gene expression: Genes can turn “on and off” based on environmental experiences

• Epigenome

Question 3

Stages of the developing body

Answer 3

1. Conception
2. Prenatal Development (3 stages)
3. Brain Development

Question 4

When does brain development begin? What occurs? (4)

Answer 4

Embryonic stage

Neural tubes form and become the brain and spinal cord

• Includes *Neuronal Proliferation and Migration

Question 5

Obstacles to Normal Fetal Development (3)

Answer 5

• Teratogens
• Genetic Disorders
• Preterm infancy

Question 6

Health Issues associated with preterm birth (9)

Answer 6

• Before 32 weeks: may lack adaptive reflexes
• Digestion issues; Thermoregulation issues
• Lung/breathing, cardiovascular, and immune deficiencies
• Neurological problems
• Low-birth weight
• Higher overall mortality

Question 7

What is the correlation between brain and nervous system activity and the physical abilities of children?

Answer 7

Changes in the brain and nervous system lead to changes in the physical abilities of children.

Question 8

What do infants begin life with?

Answer 8

Reflexes (ex. Sucking, Rooting, Blinking)

Question 9

Physical Development in Childhood (10)

Answer 9

1. Body proportions become more adult-like (slower development compared to infancy)
2. Brain and Nervous System Development

• Brain is at 75% of adult weight by age 3, and 95% by age 6
• Pre-frontal cortex develops: Allows for increased capacity of self-control, attention, and reasoning

3. Motor Skill Development

• Fine and Gross motor skills

Question 10

Physical Development in Adolescence (2)

Answer 10

• Puberty
• Sexual Maturation

Question 11

Sexual Development in Girls (4)

Answer 11

• Primary: pubic hair; breast development; Menarche

Question 12

Sexual Development in Boys (6)

Answer 12

Primary: Testes and penis enlarge and pubic hair emerges; Spermarche

Secondary: Voice deepening, etc.

Question 13

Timing of Puberty (2)

Answer 13

• Lots of variation
• Lifestyle factors contribute; genetics may play a role

Question 14

How to maintain bodily performance as we age? (3)

Answer 14

Nutrition, physical activity (including load bearing), and practice

Question 15

Differences in Theories of Cognition

Answer 15

• Continuous vs. discontinuous (stage-like)
• Domain-general vs. domain specific
• Source of learning: physical experience, social interaction, and biological maturation

Question 16

Important Concepts in Piaget’s Cognitive-Developmental Theory (4)

Answer 16

• Schemes
• Assimilation
• Accommodation
• Equilibration

Question 17

Limitations of Piaget’s Theory (4)

Answer 17

1. Development is more continuous than stage-like
2. Development is not universal and is unique to every individual
3. Task demands and measurement

• Some tasks were too difficult

4. Cultural Bias

Question 18

Cognitive Landmarks of Early Development (3)

Answer 18

• Understanding the physical world
• Categorization and classification
• Memory

Question 19

Cognitive Changes in Adolescence (5)

Answer 19

1. Biological Foundations: Brain Maturation
2. Hypothetical and abstract reasoning develop

• Generally good but includes problems like Naïve idealism and Personal Fable

3. Relativistic Thinking Develops

• Answers are not always “either-or” or “black-and-white”

Question 20

Relative to social development, what are infants born with? (4)

Answer 20

Social Preferences

• Preference for faces over other stimuli
• Preferences for voices over other sounds
• Attachments to parents

Question 21

What social nuances appear in infants?

Answer 21

• Infants prefer parents early on
• Stranger anxiety

Question 22

Types if Temperaments in Children

Answer 22

• Easy
• Difficult
• Slow-to-warm-up
• Combination of types (~35%)

Question 23

Aspects of Parental Attachment (3)

Answer 23

• Physical contact is crucial
• Woman: routine caregiving
• Men: “Rough-and-tumble” play

Question 24

Types of Attachment

Answer 24

• Secure
• Avoidant
• Ambivalent
• Disorganized/ Disoriented

Question 25

What characteristics are often found in the parents of **Securely Attached** infants? (3)

Answer 25

Happy, emotionally and physically responsive

Question 26

What characteristics are often found in the parents of **Insecure Attached** infants? (3)

Answer 26

Emotionally unavailable, unmarried/separated, and experience poor mental health

Question 27

General outcome of **Securely Attached** infants (4)

Answer 27

Have better cognitive, social, emotional, and behavioural outcomes Tend to raise securely attached children of their own

Question 28

How can attachments change throughout life?

Answer 28

Secure to insecure: negative life events/changes

Question 29

Parenting styles (4)

Answer 29

1. Authoritarian 2. Permissive 3. Uninvolved 4. Authoritative

Question 30

Peer relationships in childhood (4)

Answer 30

Increase in importance as children get older Allow children to develop social skills ”Best friend” Often gender segregated

Question 31

Peer relationships in adolescence

Answer 31

Seek autonomy and challenge parental authority: conflict is normal May be more significant in adolescence than at any other time in the lifespan Identity formation and validation through peer group Romantic relationships

Question 32

Relationships in Adulthood (6)

Answer 32

Marriage/ Divorce Family Children Typically good experience as Grandparents Smaller social circles; High quality relationships - Larger social network is associated with better physical and psychological outcomes