Lecture 12 Motor Development & sensorimotor stage

Question 1

Cephalocaudal trend in motor development

Answer 1

‘Head to tail’ progression: head control first, then arms/torso, legs last

Question 2

Typical motor milestone sequence

Answer 2

1. Head Lift (0-3mo) 2. Sitting (5-9mo) 3. Crawling (6-11mo) 4. Pulls to stand (6-12m) 5. Walking (9-17mo)

Question 3

Cultural variations in motor milestones

Answer 3

E.g., African infants sit earlier (~4mo) vs US (~6mo); influenced by parenting practices/environment

Question 4

Developmental niche concept

Answer 4

Combines: 1) Physical/social setting
2) Parental beliefs
3) daily practive affecting development

Question 5

Sensorimotor Substage 1 (0-1mo)

Answer 5

Modify reflexes (e.g., adapt sucking for different objects);
integrate actions (bring hand up to eye level)

Question 6

Sensorimotor Substage 2 (1-4mo)

Answer 6

Integrate reflexes into action sequences (e.g., grasp→mouth→suck)

Question 7

Sensorimotor Substage 3 (4-8mo)/
Secondary circular reactions

Answer 7

• Action on objects
• Repeat actions on objects for interesting results (e.g., shake rattle)

Question 8

Sensorimotor Substage 4 (8-12mo)

Answer 8

Object permanence emerges;
searches for hidden objects (fragile mental representations)

Question 9

Sensorimotor Substage 5 (12-18mo)/
TertiaryCircular Reaction

Answer 9

Active experimentation with objects (e.g., dropping toys to test effects)

Question 10

Sensorimotor Substage 6 (18-24mo)

Answer 10

Symbolic thought emerges
(pretend play, language);
ends sensorimotor stage

Question 11

Object permanence definition

Answer 11

Understanding objects exist when not visible; develops 6-9 months

Question 12

0-5 months object perception

Answer 12

‘Out of sight, out of mind’ - no search for hidden objects

Question 13

Importance of object permanence

Answer 13

Requires mental representation, indicating thought

Question 14

Piaget’s view of infants

Answer 14

Active learners constructing knowledge through sensory/motor experiences

Question 15

Strengths of Piaget’s theory

Answer 15

1) Good broad overview 2) Covers wide age range 3) Detailed observations

Question 16

Criticisms of Piaget’s theory

Answer 16

1) Overstates consistency 2) Vague on cognitive processes 3) Underestimates social role 4) Underestimates infant competence

Question 17

Core knowledge systems

Answer 17

Modern research shows infants have more innate cognitive abilities than Piaget recognized

Question 18

Cultural influences examples

Answer 18

Jamaican infants sit earlier with limb exercises; Kenyan infants sit earlier with less support

Question 19

Information processing alternative

Answer 19

Focuses on specific cognitive mechanisms rather than broad stages

Question 20

Sensorimotor stage main achievement

Answer 20

Develops ability to manipulate and mentally represent concrete objects