Chapter 1: The Life-span Perspective Flashcards
Lifespan Development
The pattern of changes and stability in individuals that happens between birth and death. It is also the study of what in the environment and in our genes makes us unique.
Biological Age
how old your cells and tissues are
Chronological Age
measures a person’s age from their calendar date of birth until the date their age is asked
Social Age
relates to regular behaviors and how people interact with those around them; our social age is based on the social norms of our culture and the expectations our culture has for people of our age group
Psychological Age
how old one feels, acts, and behaves
Expected Life Expectancy
the number of years a person is expected to live
Life Span
the period of time between the birth and death
Plasticity
The idea that human development is moldable, like plastic, by experiences
Normative age grade influences
developmental experiences that are typical and expected for people within a specific age group or stage of life
Normative history graded influences
significant historical events that shape the experiences and development of a particular generation
Non-normative life events
significant and unexpected occurrences that deviate from the typical or expected sequence of life experiences
Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages of Development
- Trust vs Mistrust (birth - 18 months)
- Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt (18 months-3 yrs)
- Initiative vs Guilt (3-8)
- Industry vs Inferiority (8-12)
- Identity vs Role/Identity Confusion (12-19)
- Intimacy vs Isolation (20-39)
- Generativity vs Stagnation (39-60)
- Integrity vs Despair OR Ego vs Integrity (60-death)
Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt (18 months-3 yrs)
Toddlers strive to be independent, or autonomous, as they learn to walk, talk, and feed themselves. They may doubt themselves when they fail or cannot accept necessary limits on their behavior
Trust vs Mistrust (birth - 18 months)
The infant’s conflict concerns whether or not the world feels safe. Infants with responsive caregivers learn that the world is a reliable place where they are likely to be cared for
Initiative vs Guilt (3-8)
Preschoolers are eager to try new things and to be “big.” Since they are unable to get everything right, they must manage guilt at their missteps
Intimacy vs Isolation (20-39)
After the focus on the self of adolescence, young adults begin to search for intimacy. They learn to share their lives with others or struggle with loneliness
Industry vs Inferiority (8-12)
By middle childhood, children are ready to work at what their culture values. Children build a sense of their own industriousness and may struggle if they feel they are not meeting their community’s expectations
Identity vs Role/Identity Confusion (12-19)
Adolescents’ central task is to actively discover their own identity. If they are too timid in that quest, they may be lost, confused, and unfulfilled
Generativity vs Stagnation (39-60)
In middle adulthood, the focus moves to becoming generative, or productive. Adults learn to contribute by raising children or through work or creative efforts
Integrity vs Despair OR Ego vs Integrity (60-death)
Older adults reflect on their lives and evaluate their successes and failures, making sense of themselves and achieving a feeling of wholeness
Piaget’s Cognitive Theory of Development
The theory that growth in thinking and understanding happens as a result of active exploration of the world
Sensorimotor (birth-2)
Piaget’s term for the cognitive stage that spans from the first 18 months of a baby’s life and focuses on learning through sensation and movement
Stage 1 - Reflexes: Birth to 4-6 weeks
Babies cannot consciously control much of their bodies, but they can move nonetheless. Their hands reflexively grasp and suck whatever approaches their mouths. In this stage they begin to assimilate new behaviors, like suching their thumb, into existing reflexes.
Stage 2 - Primary Circular Reactions: Adaption of Reflexes: 1-4 months
Infants can now adapt their movements and newborn reflexes to the world around them, They can suck a pacifier differently than a stuffed animal. They can grasp a finger differently than a rattle. In primary circular reactions, they can repeat adapted reflexes again and again.
Primary Circular Reactions: Babies begin to adapt their reflexes to new uses and show more creative behavior
