Week 9 - Physical Development

Question 1

How are neuron connections established?

Answer 1

Neurons become interconnected through (1) the growth of dendrites—extensions of the cell body that receive signals from other neurons and (2) the growth of axons—extensions from the neuron that can carry signals to other neurons.

Question 2

Explain the process of pruning:

Answer 2

The process in which excess or redundant neurons and synaptic connections are eliminated to enable more efficient neural processing.

Question 3

Normative development

(physical development)

(flower)

Answer 3

Hall and Gesell (1933; 1904) viewed development as a genetically determined process that unfolds automatically, much like a flower. They launched the normative approach, in which measures of behaviour are taken on large numbers of individuals and age-related averages are computed to represent typical development.

Question 4

Physical development definition

Answer 4

Physical development relates to the growth and skill development of the body, including the brain, muscles, and senses, and it can be seen to occur at different rates across different body systems.

Question 5

Physical development graph labels
1.
2.
3.
4.

Answer 5

1. Highest curve is the lymphoid (lymph and thymus glands, tonsils)
2. Second highest: Neural (brain, nervous system and associated structures)
3. Second lowest: General (height, weight, cardiac, respiratory and relative systems)
4. Lowest: Genital (Reproductive organs and secondary sex characteristics)

Question 6

List 3 examples of ways to promote brain development in the early years of life

Answer 6

Playing games
Reading
Playing music

Question 7

List and describe 3 newborn reflexes

Answer 7

Startle reflex: When an infant stretches their limbs in response to a sudden or loud noise

Sucking reflex: When an infant sucks at things that touch their lips

• Helps ingest food
• Allows them to drink and suck their thumb

Moro reflex: When support is removed from the head and neck, causing the infant to thrust their arms out as if to grab onto something

Question 8

Define fine and gross motor skills

Answer 8

Gross motor skills pertain to skills involving large muscle movements, such as independent sitting, crawling, walking or running.
- Involves the large muscles of the arms, legs and abdomen

Fine motor skills involve use of smaller muscles, such as grasping, object manipulation, or drawing
- Involves the small muscles of the hands and wrists

Question 9

Why is physical development important for learning?

Answer 9

As well as physical benefits, research shows that an increase in physical activity has a significant positive effect on cognition, especially for early primary and middle school students.

Question 10

During adolescence, teenagers might rely on which part of the brain to make decisions and solve problems?

Answer 10

Amygdala

(Because the prefrontal cortex is still developing, teenagers rely on the amygdala to make decisions and solve problems more than adults do)

Question 11

Physical development

Adolescent brain changes

(Pruning)

Answer 11

The main change is that unused connections in the thinking and processing part of the adolescent’s brain are pruned away.
At the same time, other connections are strengthened.

This is the brain’s way of becoming more efficient, based on the ‘use it or lose it’ principle. (Pruning)

Question 12

Physical development

Adolescent changes
- Key terms

Answer 12

Laterialisation (specialisation of the 2 hemispheres of the brain)

Myelinisation (neural fibres are coated by myelin sheath to enable information to transfer more efficiently)

Neurons (Nerve cells that store and transfer information

Plasticity (Ability of the brain to be affected by experience and develop new pathways)

Pruning (Dropping of unused or less efficient neural pathways)

Puberty

Sensory perception (Use of the senses to identify and respond to stimuli)

Synapses