Exam Revision Flashcards
(161 cards)
What did Gottlieb (1992) believe about methodology?
Multi-Level Systems Model
- development is subject to bidirectional influences over 4 levels of analysis
1) Genetic Activity, 2) Neural Activity, 3) Behavioural, 4) Environmental
What are Sensitive Periods?
An organism is particularly susceptible to experience different things during specific periods of development
- Explanation = brain maturation/plasticity or specialised
Example = Romanian Adoptees adopted before 6 months had most optimal outcome than those adopted after
What are the 4 basic goals of understanding development or change?
Describe, Explain, Predict, Influence
Fenson et al 1994 is an example of Cross-Sectional research, what did they find?
Rapid growth in No of words in a sentence as age increased, sig dif in sex
Wood et al 2012 is an example of Longitudinal research, what did they find?
- Autoregressive pathways of absenteeism and psychopathy which increased over time
- Cross-lagged pathways = existence of one increased the likelihood of the other in the future
What are the 5 key goals of Longitudinal research?
1) Consider change in individuals
2) Look at difference between individuals
3) Consider factors which drive change
4) look at causes of change within individuals
5) investigate causes of change
What is microgenetic measures?
Examines change as they occur
- Small samples but dense data collection
- Provides valuable info about changes as they occur
What are some challenges for Developmental Research?
- Developing measures which are reliable and valid
- Representative samples
- Reporting issues
- Objective Measures e.g. Brain Function = fMRI, PET, EEG Physiological = HR, Cortisol
Define Homo/Heterozygous Pairs
Homozygous Pair = two sets of instructions are the same at any given locus
Heterozygous Pair = two sets of instructions are different at any given locus
What is the First Stage of Pregnancy?
Germinal
- Zygote
- From Conception to Implantation
- Blastocyst = division into 2 sections approx 4 days after conception
- 1 section becomes the baby and the other becomes various structures to support development
What is the Second Stage of Pregnancy?
Embryonic
- After Implantation
- Forms foundation of all body organs
- All major organs and systems start to develop (organogenesis) e.g. Heartbeat starts at 4 weeks gestation
- Finishes at 8 weeks after conception
- Rapid development and particularly susceptible to environmental adversity
What is the Third Stage of Pregnancy?
Foetal
- 9-38 weeks
- Basic stuctures are refined and grown to final form
- Foetus grows approx from 1 inch and 1/4 lb to 20 inches and 7-9 lb
- Week 12 = sex
- Viability possible by week 22/23
Describe PreNatal development of the Brain
1st Month = Neural tune
6th Month = Most brain neurons are in place and synaptogenesis begins
Last Trimester = cerebral cortex
- Associated with new behavioural capacities
Describe Key Elements of Brain Development in Early Life
- Mature at different times
- Higher Cog funtions develop later
- Hippocampus, Amygdala and Corpus Callosum undergo rapid growth during first 3-5 years of life; implying the brain is susceptible to early life experiences
- Rapid increase in weight in M and W between 1-3 then weight generally plateus but men average higher
Describe Foetal Development
- Movement = 8 weeks onwards but Carrier feels it between 18-20
- Behaviour becomes more organised with gestational age e.g. at 34 weeks pattern of rest and activity
- 20% of the time spent in motionless, quiet sleep like state with steady HB and breathing
- The other 80% spent in Active-Sleep = movement, irregular HB/Breathing, responds to sensory stimuli
- 38 weeks = less time in Active-Sleep, more inhibitory pathways
- Activity and Rest periods alternate cyclically
Describe Foetal Behaviour Learning
- 25th Week onwards = changes in HR, moves head
- 32nd Week = distinguish between familiar and novel stimuli
- Decasper and Pence 1986 = prenatal learning is retained after birth as familiar stories preferred
What are Genetic/Chromosonal Prenatal Risks?
Autosomnal Disorders
1) Dominant Genes
- single abnormal gene e.g. Migraines, Huntingtons, Schizophrenia?
2) Recessive Genes
- mutation of both genes in the pair e.g. PKU, Sickle Cell Anaemia, Tay-Sachs
What are External Prenatal Risks?
Teratogenic
1) Smoking = birth weight
2) Alcohol = Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, 1-2/1000, small size brain, hyperactivity, anxiety, physical abnormalities
3) Drug Abuse = poor blood flow to placenta, born with signs of addiction, interaction effects e.g. early birth, poor nutrition
4) Maternal Stress = O’Conner er al 2002-03 = increased odds of behavioural and emotional problems persisting to 7 years old
What are the issues relating to Premature / Low Birth Weight?
- Increased risk for perceptual, attentional, motor, intellectual and behavioural impairments
- Gross to minor abnormalities
- Respiration Difficulty
- Difficult Deliveries
- High quality of care can moderate potential adverse effects
Definitions of Prematurity
Full Term = 38-42 weeks, 3150g, 53cm
Preterm = Less than 38 weeks
Very Preterm = Less than 32 weeks, 1700g
Extremely Preterm = Less than 26 weeks, 700g
Definitions of Birthweight
Optimal = 3/5000g or 6.6-11lb
Low BW = Less than 2500g or 5.5lb
Very Low BW = Less than 1500g or 3.3lb
Extremely Low BW = Less than 1000 grams or 2.2lb
(Grunau et al 2004 = ELBW at risk of developing artihmetic problems mainly, but also reading and spelling)
Facts about Vulnerabilities and Resilience in Pregnancies
- Most deliveries are normal
- 10% of all birth at risk of disability
- Develop resilience through brain plasticity and good environmental characteristics such as good caregivers, income, resources, child characteristics, community, neighbourhood
Describe the Visual Ability / Development of a newborn?
- Least developed of all senses
- Respond to light and track movement with eyes
- Visual Acquity is about 1/30th of perfect adult acquity
- Initial poor control over eyes (accomodation, focus both eyes on a spot around 8-10 inches)
- Show a preference for the mother’s face
- Demonstrate size/shape constancy
- Aislin 1987 = 6 weeks eye tracking is very jerky but by 10 weeks is smoother and constant
- Maurer and Salapatek 1976 = as we develop, focus on more important parts of the face i.e. Young = chin as this shows most movement
Describe Perceptual Skills in the first few months
First 2 months = first focus on where objects are, scan for light/dark contrasts, look for motion
2/3 Months = shift to what an object is, larger degree of detail noticeable, pay attention to patterns