Dev Psych Chapter 1 Notes Influences in Development

Human Development scientific study of processes of change and Normative characteristics of an event that occurs in a similar way
stability throughout the human life span; its goals evolved to for most people in a group
include:
Individual differences differences in characteristics, influences, or
- description
developmental outcomes
- explanation
- prediction Heredity and Environment
- modification of behavior
Heredity (nature) inborn characteristics inherited from the
Life-span Development concept of human development as a biological parents
lifelong process, which can be studied scientifically
Environment (nurture) totality of nonhereditary, or experiential,
Kinds of Change influences on development
1. Quantitative change change in number or amount, such Role of Maturation
as in height, weight, or size of vocabulary
2. Qualitative change change in kind, structure, or Maturation unfolding of a natural sequence of physical and
organization, such as the change from nonverbal or verbal behavioral changes, including readiness to master new abilities
communication Context of Development
Domains of Development Nuclear family two-generational kinship, economic, and
1. Physical development growth of body and brain, including household unit consisting of one or two parents and their biological
patterns of change in sensory capacities, motor skills, and children, adopted/stepchildren
health Extended family multigenerational kinship network of parents,
2. Cognitive development patterns of change in mental children, and other relatives, sometimes living together in one
abilities, such as learning, attention, memory, language, household
thinking, reasoning, and creativity
3. Psychosocial development pattern of change in emotions, Socioeconomic status (SES) combination of economic and social
personality, and social relationships factors describing an individual or family, including income,
education, and occupation
Social Construction concept about the nature of reality based on
societally shared perceptions or assumptions Risk factors conditions that increase the likelihood of a negative
development outcome
Culture a society/groups total way of life, including customs, Plasticity modifiability of performance
traditions, beliefs, values, language, and physical products all
Sensitive periods times in a development when a person is
learned behavior passed on from parents to children
particularly open to certain kinds of experiences
Ethnic group a group united by ancestry, race, religion, language,
and/or national origins, w/c contribute to a sense of shared identity Baltes Life-Span Developmental Approach

Ethnic gloss overgeneralization about an ethnic or cultural group 1. Development is lifelong.

that obscures differences w/in the group
2. Development involves both gain and loss.
Normative and Nonnormative Influences
3. Relative influence of biology and culture shift over the life
Normative age-graded influences:
span.
- maturational events (puberty/menopause)
- social events (marriage/retirement/parenthood)
4. Development involves a changing allocation of resources.
Normative history-graded influences
- significant events that shape the behavior of an entire historical 5. Development shows plasticity.
generation (World War II/The Great Depression)
6. Development is influenced by the historical and cultural
Historical generation group of people strongly influenced by a context.
major historical event during their formative period

Cohort group of people born at about the same time

Nonnormative characteristics of an unusual event that happens to

a person or a typical event that happens at an unusual time of life
(teen marriage/death of a parent on an early age)

Timing of Influence: Critical/Sensitive Period

Imprinting instinctive form of learning in w/c, during a critical
period in early development, a young animal forms an attachment
to the first moving object it sees, usually the mother

Critical Period specific time when a given event or its absence has
the greatest impact on development
 Periods of the Life Span/Periods of Human Development
Age Period Physical development Cognitive development Psychosocial development
Prenatal Period (conception Genetic endowment interacts w/ Abilities to learn and remember Fetus responds to mothers
to birth) environmental influences from and to respond to sensory voice and develops a preference
start stimuli are developing for it
Physical growth is the most rapid
in the life span
Vulnerability to environmental
influences is great

All sense and body systems Abilities to learn and remember Attachment to parents and other
Infancy and Toddlerhood operate at birth to varying are present, even in early weeks forms
(birth to age 3) degrees Use of symbols and ability to Self-awareness develops
Brain grows in complexity and is solve problems develop by end Shift from dependence to
highly sensitive to environmental of 2nd year autonomy occurs
influences Comprehension and use of Interest in other children
Physical growth and dev of language develop rapidly increases
motor skills are rapid
Self-concept and understanding
of emotions becomes complex
self-esteem is global
Thinking is somehow egocentric Independence, initiative, and
Growth is steady; appearance
understanding of others self-control increases
becomes slenderer and
Early Childhood (3 to 6 years perspective grows Gender identity develops
proportion more adultlike
old) Cognitive immaturity = illogical Play is more imaginative,
Appetite diminishes and sleep
ideas about the world elaborate, and social
problems are common
Memory & Language improve Altruism, aggression, fearfulness
Handedness appears; fine and
Intelligence more predictable is common
gross motor skills & strength
Preschool experience is common Family is still focus of social life
improve
and kindergarten more so but other children become
important
Middle Childhood (6 to 11 Growth slows Egocentrism diminishes Self-concept becomes more
years old) Strength and athletic skills Begin to think logically but complex affecting self-esteem
improve concretely Coregulation reflects gradual
Respiratory illnesses are Memory and language skills shift in control from parents to
common, but health is generally increase child
better than any other time in life Cognitive gains permit children Peers assume central
span to benefit from formal schooling importance
Some children show special
educational needs and strengths

Search for identity and sexual

Physical growth and other Abstract thinking and scientific
Adolescence (11 to about 20 identity becomes central
changes are rapid and profound reasoning develops
Relationships w/ parents are
years old) Reproductive maturity occurs Immature thinking persists in
generally good
Major health risks arise from some attitudes and behaviors
Peer group may exert a
behavioral issues, such as eating Education focuses on
positive/negative influence
disorders and drug abuse preparation for college/vocation

Young Adulthood (20 to 40 Physical condition peaks, then Personality traits & styles
Thought and moral judgments
years old) declines slightly become relatively stable but
become more complex
Lifestyle choices influences changes in personality may be
Education and occupational
health influenced by life stages/events
choices are made
Decisions are made about
intimate relationships &
personal lifestyle
Most people marry and become
parents
Middle Adulthood (40 to 65 Slow deterioration of sensory Mental abilities peak Sense of identity continues to
years) abilities, health, stamina, and Expertise and practical problem- develop; midlife transition may
strength may begin solving skills are high occur
Individual differences are wide Creative output may decline but Dual responsibilities of caring for
Women experience menopause quality improves children and parents may cause
Career success and earning stress
powers peak/burnout or career Launching of children leaves
change may occur empty nest

Most people are healthy and Most are mentally alert Retirement from workforce may
Late Adulthood (65 years and
active, although health and Intelligence and memory may offer new options for use of time
above)
physical abilities generally deteriorate but find ways to Develop more flexible strategies
decline compensate to cope w/ personal losses and
impending death
Slowing of reaction time affects
some aspects of functioning Relationship w/ fam and main
squad can improve support

Search for meaning in life

assumes central importance