Ch 3 Developmental Psychology Lecture

Summary

Professor Tina Jenkins introduces Chapter Three, focusing on human development from prenatal to emerging adulthood. She discusses the genome versus heredity, the nature versus nurture debate, and the differences between identical and fraternal twins. Jenkins also covers epigenetics, brain development including pruning, and critical periods for learning. She explores Piaget's stages of cognitive development, Harlow's attachment theory, and parenting styles. The lecture concludes with Erikson's stages, emphasizing the importance of self-discovery in adolescence and the concept of emerging adulthood.

Takeaways

• 📚 Chapter three covers lifespan development, focusing on stages from prenatal to emerging adulthood.
• 🧬 The genome provides instructions for making an organism, while heredity is the genetic transfer of characteristics from parents to offspring.
• 👶 Identical twins result from one egg and one sperm that splits, sharing the exact genetic material, unlike fraternal twins which come from two separate eggs and sperms.
• 🧫 Epigenetics is the study of how gene expression can be altered without changing the DNA sequence, influencing human development.
• 🧠 Brain development involves 'pruning' of neural networks, which helps refine and strengthen necessary pathways for skills and learning.
• 🗣 Critical periods in early childhood are essential for language acquisition and other skills; missing these can impact development.
• 🧬 The environment can significantly impact brain development, as shown by studies comparing rats raised in enriched vs. non-enriched environments.
• 👶🏻 Developmental milestones occur in a sequence, but the timing can vary among individuals.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Piaget's theory of cognitive development includes stages like sensory-motor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational stages.
• 🐒 Harlow's experiments with monkeys highlighted the importance of attachment and comfort for infant development, influencing theories on parenting and child care.
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Parenting styles (authoritative, permissive, authoritarian) significantly affect a child's development and sense of self.
• 🌟 Emerging adulthood is a new life stage between adolescence and full-fledged adulthood, allowing for extended personal development and independence.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Chapter Three in the psychology course taught by Professor Tina Jenkins?

Chapter Three focuses on the developing human, covering topics from prenatal development through emerging adulthood, including discussions on the genome, heredity, and various stages of human development.

What is the difference between a genome and heredity as explained by Professor Jenkins?

The genome is the set of instructions for making an organism, while heredity refers to the genetic transfer of characteristics from one generation to the next, typically from biological parents to offspring.

How does Professor Jenkins describe the concept of nature versus nurture in human development?

Nature versus nurture refers to the debate about how much of our physiological, emotional, and mental traits are determined by our genetic makeup (nature) versus our environment and life experiences (nurture).

What is the key difference between identical and fraternal twins according to the transcript?

Identical twins result from one egg and one sperm that splits, leading to two individuals with the same genetic material. Fraternal twins, on the other hand, come from two separate eggs and two separate sperm, making them no more genetically similar than any other siblings.

Can you explain the concept of epigenetics as mentioned in the transcript?

Epigenetics refers to changes in gene expression that do not involve alterations to the underlying DNA sequence but can still be passed down to future generations. It's about how genes are read and expressed rather than changes to the DNA itself.

What is the significance of brain pruning in child development as discussed by Professor Jenkins?

Brain pruning is the process by which unused neural connections are eliminated, allowing the brain to become more efficient. This process is crucial for the development of motor skills and cognitive abilities.

How does the environment impact brain development, as highlighted in the transcript?

The environment can significantly shape brain development. Rats raised in enriched environments with social interaction and stimulation showed more developed neural networks compared to those in less stimulating environments.

What is the significance of object permanence in child development, as explained in the script?

Object permanence is a developmental milestone where a child understands that objects continue to exist even when they are not visible. This concept is crucial for cognitive development and is typically achieved during the sensory-motor stage of Piaget's theory.

What are the four stages of cognitive development proposed by Piaget, as mentioned in the transcript?

Piaget's four stages of cognitive development are the sensory-motor stage (birth to two years), preoperational stage (two to seven years), concrete operational stage (seven to eleven years), and formal operational stage (from eleven years onwards).

How does attachment theory relate to child development, according to the transcript?

Attachment theory, as discussed in the transcript, suggests that the relationship between a child and their primary caregiver influences the child's development of trust and security. Different attachment styles can lead to varying levels of stranger anxiety and the child's ability to form relationships.

What are the three types of parenting styles described by Professor Jenkins, and how do they affect child development?

The three parenting styles are authoritative (supportive and encouraging), permissive (lax and non-restrictive), and authoritarian (strict and rigid). Each style impacts child development differently, with authoritative parenting often leading to the best outcomes in terms of child maturity and self-understanding.