Developmental Psychology - Part 1

Definition: Behaviour as a function of age

-> Physical, Cpgnitive,Pscyhosocial.

Changes & Continuity

• Change -> Systematic/Orderly transformation and predictable patterns eg crawling -> Walking
• Continuiity -> Consistent aspects of personality over time eg -> temperament

Reflection 1

Reflect on a change or continuity you have observed in your own life or someone you know. How does this observation align with the concepts of physical, cognitive, or psychosocial development discussed in developmental psychology?

-> I realize i am an active person and im active now

Reflection 2

Consider your position on the following issues as you work through this lesson on developmental theories.

1. Should a child be immediately responded to when they cry, each and every time they cry, and what should this response should look like?

-> This lesson i think they should, it is highly dependent on age range i believe. If the child is still infantile, compassion and methods to manage crying or alternatives should be taught..?

2. Should parents utilise extinction based behavioural sleep interventions (i.e. sleep training) to encourage them to sleep for several hours through the night on their own, or engage in co-sleeping?

-> Ooof unsure.

3. Should a parent breastfeed or bottlefeed their child?

-> Yes

4. Should parents use contingency-based (e.g., planned ignoring, time out, etc) or attachment-based (e.g., emotion coaching) parenting techniques when it comes to managing child behaviour?

-> Yes..?

Reflection 3

Have you or someone you know ever faced a developmental challenge (like learning to speak, walk, or socialise). What helped to overcome this challenge? What role did family, teachers, or friends play in this? 

-> Socialize, friends helped

Reflection 4

Think about a time when you learned something new that changed how you understood a situation or concept. What helped you learn and adapt your understanding? How did others (like family, friends, or teachers) support you in this process? Also name every process

Key Takeaways

What is Developmental Psychology?

• Definition: Developmental psychology is the study of how and why human behavior changes over the lifespan. It explores the processes behind our growth and development, seeking to answer the question: “How and why do we change?”

The Interplay of Nature and Nurture

• Collaborative Forces: Nature (genetics) and nurture (environment) are not separate influences but work together to shape our development. They interact continuously to influence who we become.

Reciprocal Influences

• Bidirectional Impact: Development is a dynamic exchange where individuals and their environments influence each other. For example, parents shape their children’s behaviors, and children’s behaviors, in turn, shape how parents respond and care for them.

The Importance of Early Experience

• Critical and Sensitive Periods: Certain stages in development are crucial for specific abilities to emerge. While early experiences are vital, humans are also highly adaptable and resilient. Even adverse early experiences can be overcome through development.

Piaget’s Contributions to Cognitive Development

• Key Discoveries: Jean Piaget made significant contributions to understanding how children think. He introduced concepts such as:
  • Object Permanence: The understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are not visible.
  • Conservation: The realization that quantity remains the same despite changes in shape or appearance.
• Limitations: While Piaget’s theory provides valuable insights, it has limitations, including its rigid stage framework and underestimation of children’s abilities.

Learning in a Social Context

• Vygotsky’s Perspective: Unlike Piaget’s view of solitary cognitive exploration, Lev Vygotsky emphasized the importance of social interactions in learning. Children learn and develop through engagement with others in their cultural and social environments.

Before moving on take a minute to consider these three questions and record your thoughts in your notes:

1. What are the three most important things you learned in this module?
2. What question remains uppermost in your mind after completing this module?
3. What is the best way to get this question answered

Interesting Notes:

Research by Annette Hamilton (1981) showed that Indigenous Australian infants, traditionally carried on their mother’s back, reached motor milestones earlier than Anglo-Australian infants. This early development is attributed to their early and regular support in a sitting position. Similar trends are observed in Ugandan infants compared to their Anglo-European counterparts.