Modules 1-4 Flashcards
Themes and Theories, Developmental Principles, Prenatal and Neonatal Development (119 cards)
1
Q
Developmental Science
A
how and why change occurs over time
2
Q
Domains of Child Development
A
- Physical: biological change
- Cognitive: the way we think/understand
- Social-emotional: the ways we learn to connect with others and regulate emotion
3
Q
Major Themes
A
Nature and Nurture
Continuity and Discontinuity
Stability and Plasticity
Active and Passive Influences
Universal and Individual Differences
4
Q
Nature and Nurture
A
what is the balance between genetic and environmental contributions to development?
5
Q
Continuity and Discontinuity
A
does development happen in small changes over a long period (continuous) or spurts of dramatic change (discontinuous) ?
Continuity = quantitative = increment theory
ex: child gaining knowledge, tree getting bigger
Discontinuity = qualitative = stage theory
ex: walking to crawling, caterpillar to butterfly
6
Q
Stability and Plasticity
A
how much change remains possible as we move through development?
Stability = cannot be changed (more in late life)
ex: stroke in late life = struggle
Plasticity = a lot of change left (more in early life)
ex: hemispherectomy in early life = normal function
7
Q
Active and Passive Influences
A
how much does someone contribute to their own developmental path?
(whats happening to them vs whats in their control?)
ex: what a child chooses to pay attention to
8
Q
Universal and Individual Differences
A
are there parts of development that are common to everyone while other parts are individually unique?
ex: all brains have similar basic structure, but a lot of variation
9
Q
Intersectionality
A
characteristics intersect and create unique developmental paths
10
Q
Niche Picking
A
people actively seek out environments that are a good fit with their genetic makeup
11
Q
Parental Ethnotheories
A
how cultural context impacts development
12
Q
The primary developmental research designs are….
A
Cross Sectional
Longitudinal
13
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Cross Sectional Research
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separate groups studied at the same time
ex: 6 year olds vs 8 Year olds
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Longitudinal Research
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one group studied over time
ex: same group of children at 1 month, 3 months, 5 months…
15
Q
Scientific Inquiry
A
1) hypothesis
2) data
3) theory
16
Q
Hypothesis
A
a testable idea or prediction
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Data
A
information known by direct experience or observation
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Theory
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a coherent set of propositions that explain observations and are supported by evidence
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Theories help us…
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organize and predict
20
Q
Major Theories (3 Types)
A
1) Individual Environment Processes
2) Dyadic (Social) Processes
3) Multi-Level Processes
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Q
Individual Environment Processes
A
relate the individual to their environment
Includes: Nativism, Behaviorism, Piaget’s Constructivism, Information Processing
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Q
Dyadic (Social) Processes
A
how social relationships contribute to developmental outcomes
Includes: Psychodynamic, Attachment, Social Learning, Sociocultural
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Multi-Level Processes
A
more modern, complex interaction of context of development
Includes: Ecological, Systems
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Q
Nativism (Chomsky)
A
development is driven entirely by biology
- ability to process info is innate
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Behaviorism (Watson)
development is entirely through environment
- focus on learning, role of positive and negative reinforcement
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Piaget's Constructivism
children actively create cognition by interacting with the world
- Stage Theory (discontinuous): dramatic change occurs at ages 2, 7, 12. All children progress in the same order.
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Information Processing
we think in a step by step process like computers
input --> process --> output
continuous, incremental, gradual development
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Psychodynamic Theory (Freud)
personality development is driven by social interactions and satisfying basic drives
FIRST stage theory
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Attachment Theory (Bowlby)
infants behave in ways that promote bonding with their caregiver (evolved for survival)
quality of attachment can vary
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Social Learning Theory (Bandura)
developmental outcomes depend on social partners responses
learning happens in a social context, continuous learning through observation (ex: bobo doll)
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Sociocultural Theory (Vygotsky)
how thinking develops in social and cultural context
we can best understand cognitive development in the context of an interaction with a skilled helper
- zone of proximal development
- scaffold
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Zone of Proximal Development
(part of sociocultural theory)
the space between where a child's skill level actually is and their potential for improvement
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Scaffold
(part of sociocultural theory)
any temporary tool/framework that can help a child reach the next level
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Ecological Theory
development is characterized by constant interactions between the child and the context they live in
- places child in center
1) microsystem: immediate context
ex: family, school
2) mesosystem: contexts interact across each other
ex: family interacts with school
3) exosystem: external context, indirect affect
ex: parents workplace
4) macrosystem: cultural customs
5) chronosystem: age of child, time in history
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Systems Theory
ecological systems theory + BIOLOGY
all factors influencing development form a cohesive system
- Child is moved outward, bio context added
must understand how factors work together and influence each other
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Genetic Expression
process of genetic info being turned into biological products
(how genes are used)
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Genotype (STATIC)
the genes a person has for a particular characteristic
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Phenotype
the characteristics that are expressed in that person
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A fertilized egg contains...
23 chromosomes
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Genes have regions that...
regions that CODE for protein
regions that REGULATE their activity (on/off switch)
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Homozygous alleles
same bases
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Heterozygous alleles
different bases
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Mendelian Genetics
dominant and recessive traits
(punnet square)
1 dominant allele = trait appear
or
2 recessive alleles = trait appear
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Complex Genetic Effects
interaction of multiple genes = development of organ systems and complex behaviors
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Polygenic Inheritance
interaction of many genes = one outcome
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Pleiotrophy
a single gene = many outcomes
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Genetic Mutations
changes that occur in the structure of genes
can be inherited or because of toxin exposure
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Chromosomal Disorders
caused by wrong number of chromosomes
ex: down syndrome
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Single Gene Disorders
any disorder caused by the function or lack of function of a single gene
ex: sickle cell, cystic fybrosis
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Interventions for genetic disorders are...
modify environment
gene therapy
CRISPR
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Gene Therapy
use viruses to "infect" cells with healthy genes to replace disordered genes
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CRISPR
direct gene editing to turn genes on/off
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Polymorphism
a normal mutation, allows for variability in gene pool needed for evolution
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Behavioral Genomics
research relationship between normal polymorphisms and behavioral outcomes
(polymorphisms x behavior)
- Candidate Gene Approach
- Genome-wide Association Studies (GWAS)
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Candidate Gene Approach
target a specific gene --> is a specific allele more common in people with this behavior?
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Genome-wide Association Studies (GWAS)
look at entire genome at once to identify relevant genes
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Genome
the complete set of genes or genetic material present in a cell or organism
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Behavioral Genetics
research the amount of influence of genetic and environmental factors on specific behavioral outcomes
(genes and environment x behavior)
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Methods of behavioral genetics are...
Adopted Children
- genetic background from bio parents x environment from adoptive parents
---> outcome more similar to bio or adopt parents?
Monozygotic vs Dizygotc Twin Studies
- monozygotic (identical) = share genome
-dizygotic (fraternal) = genomes of regular siblings
---> is outcome more similar between MZ or DZ twins?
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Heritability
any developmental outcome has a range of variability, score of 0 to 1
0 = all environment
0.5 = equal
1 = all genetic
score tells us if an outcome is more or less influenced by genetics
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Epigenetics
how environment influences gene expression
ex: rat study
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Gene-Environment Correlations
how genes influence environment
- Passive = genes match with environment that promotes expression
(ex: parents like reading --> pass reading genes and make reading environment)
- Evocative = genes contribute to behaviors that evoke response from environment
(ex: calm baby gets more attention)
- Active: genes contribute to a tendency to seek environment that matches personality
(ex: thrill seeking )
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Development is the result of...
continuous, bidirectional interactions between
biology x environment x time
Cummulative: development builds on what comes before and adds something new
- some things need to happen first
Non-linear
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Developmental Pathways
every individual has their own unique, non-linear pathway that reflects their cumulative history of genetic x context interactions over time
Multifinality vs Equifinality
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Multifinality
similar starting point ---> different outcomes
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Equifinality
different starting points ---> similar outcomes
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Human gestation lasts....
40 weeks, at least 37 to be full term
below 37 weeks = premature
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The 3 periods of human gestation are....
1) Germinal Period (0 - 14 days)
2) Embryonic Period (wk 2 - 8)
3) Fetal Period (wk 9 - birth)
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In the Germinal Period (0-2 wks):
1) Fertilization
2) Development of the morula
3) Development of the blastocyst
4) Implantation
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Fertilization
1) ovum released from ovaries
2) travels to fallopian tube, fertilized by 1 sperm = zygote
3) zygote moves to uterus
4) cell division, building up...
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Development of the morula
solid spherical mass of 16 cells
3-4 days after fertilization
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Development of the blastocyst
cells in spherical shape with hollow cavity inside
made of:
- embryonic disk / inner cell mass (pre-embryo), puripotent cells can become anything
- trophoblast (pre-support system)
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Implantation
trophoblast cells secure stable implant to uterus lining, grow into uterus to establish nourishment from mother
failure to implant = chemical pregnancy (miscarriage, 60%)
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In the Embryonic Period (2-8 wks):
1) embryo develops from embryonic disk
2) support system develops from trophoblast cells
3) differentiation of inner cell mass
4) organogenesis
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In the embryonic period, trophoblast cells split into....
2 fetal membranes:
- Chorion: outer membrane, pre placenta and cord
- Amnion: inner membrane filled with protective fluid
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The placenta....
develops from the chorionic membrane in embryonic period
transfers oxygen and nutrients from mother's blood, removes fetal waste
sensory organ for embryo: connects them to outside environment, substances can cross through placenta
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In the embryonic period, the embryonic disk splits into....
3 layers:
- Ectoderm (outer layer): becomes brain, spinal cord...
- Mesoderm (mid layer)
- Endoderm (inner layer)
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Organogenesis
development of all major organ systems (from the head down)
heartbeat = 4 wks
brain develop = 3-4 wks
disruption of organogenesis = miscarriage or malformations
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In the Fetal Period (9-40 wks):
GROWTH
Sexual differentiation
Fetal hearing and vision
Fetal learning
- progressive, not all at once
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Sexual Differentiation
- same genitalia until 9 wks
- androgen = male
- no androgen = female
- androgen production also affects brain development
- blood test can determine sex at 9-10 wks
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Fetal Hearing
sensitive to sounds at 16-18 wks
- full hearing by 27 wks
- most sensitive to mothers voice
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Fetal Vision
can first detect light at 16 wks
- eyes are mostly developed by 26 wks
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Fetal Learning
32 wk old fetus can detect stimulus and change in stimulus
ex: Cat and the Hat experiment
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Teratogens
environmental agents that cause deviations from normal development, and can lead to abnormalities or death
- presence of toxic agents or absence of necessary agents
85
Effect of tetratogens depends on...
Nature: what was the agent?
Timing: when in development did exposure occur?
Duration: how long did the exposure last?
86
Alcohol and Drugs in prenatal development cause...
- physical malformations (esp. facial) and growth problems
- cognitive and behavioral symptoms
severity depends on extent of exposure
Prescription Drugs: some always dangerous, some more complicated (weigh pros vs cons)
ex: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
87
Chronic, toxic stress in prenatal development causes....
- premature birth, low BW
- behavioral dysregulation
stress = release of stress hormone cortisol
Stress Inoculation Hypothesis: manageable levels of stress may also benefit child later
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Severe malnutrition in prenatal development causes....
- 1st trim: brain abnormalities, premature birth, death
- 3rd trim: delayed growth, low BW
linked to health problems later in life
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Oxytocin
"cuddle chemical"
increase during delivery to prepare body and promote bonding
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Couvade
experiencing symptoms of pregnancy
mother and father both experience hormonal change
---> can predict positive emotional response
- ritualistic: feigning contractions
- psychosomatic: weight gain, nausea, mood swings
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Maternal Mortality
death of a woman during pregnancy, at delivery, or soon after
rates increased in U.S.
(inadequate prenatal care, chronic illness, increased maternal age, higher obesity rates, focus on infant over mom)
racial disparities: 3x higher for black mothers
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Premature Birth
earlier than 37 wks
10% of U.S. births
earlier birth = more complications (25 wks = viable)
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Late-Preterm
34 - 37 wk premature births
- show more behavioral concerns later
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Premature birth risk factors:
socioeconomic status (SES)
multiple births (ex: twins)
many pregnancies close together
maternal age
tetratogens
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Typical full term birth weight:
7.5 lbs
(range = 5.5 - 10 lbs)
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Intrauterine Growth Retardation (IUGR)
a fetus that is small for its gestational age
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Premature infants birth weight is...
usually low, but consistent with gestational age
Low BW = under 5 lbs
Very Low BW = under 3 lbs
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Small for Gestational Age
full term infant with low birth weight
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Common Problems in Preterm Infants
- Immature lungs (leading cause of death)
- Brain bleed
- State regulation
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Kangaroo Care
skin to skin contact with preterm infants
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Infant States
regulate sensory input
- Sleep (50% REM / active sleep)
- Smile
- Cry
- Move
- Hearing/Vision
102
Neuron
basic cellular unit of brain
- electrical signaling within neuron
- chemical signaling between neurons
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Major components of neuron
cell body/ soma
dendrites (receiving end)
axon (transmitting end)
synapse (space between 2 neurons where axon meets dendrites)
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Gyrus
squishy parts of brain
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Sulcus
folds in the brain
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Grey Matter
cell bodies / dendrites
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White Matter
axon bundles
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7 Processes of Brain Development
first 4 = prenatal
last 3 = continue postnatal and beyond
1) Neuralation
2) Neurogenesis
3) Neural Differentiation
4) Neural Migration
5) Mylenation
6) Synaptogenesis
7) Synaptic Pruning
*processes are overlapping, not sequential
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Neuralation
3 wks after fertilization
ectoderm folds to form neural tube (brain and spinal cord)
and neural crest (peripheral nervous system
neural tube ---> central nervous system
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Disorders of Neuralation
- Spinda Bifida: bottom end of neural tube fails to close
(spinal cord protrudes)
- Anecephaly: top end of neural tube fails to close
(brain fails to fully develop)
folic acid associated with a reduced risk of neural tube defects
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Neurogenesis (birth of neurons)
week 5
1) pluripotent cells differentiate to form neural precursor cells
2) neural precursor cells divide, generate a large number of newborn neurons
*all neurons generated INSIDE neural tube
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Neural Differentiation
neural precursor cells in neural tub differentiate into neuron sub-types and supporting cells (neurons vs glial cells)
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Neural Migration
adult cortex = 6 layers of cells
neurons move from birthplace in neural tube to their proper place in the brain
- supports brain growth
- builds brain structure
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Myelination
myelin = white matter (supporting glial cell, lipid based)
wraps around axon to improve insulation and speed of transmission
*linear process: begins prenatally but continues through adulthood
115
Synaptogenesis (birth of synapses)
every neuron forms thousands of new connections, rapid production right before and after birth
*back of brain develops before front
116
Synaptic Pruning
elimination of some proportion of synapses
- Aptosis: programmed cell death
- Experience-Based: brain adjusts the synapses it uses based on experience
*timing varies by brain region (back to front)
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Neural Plasticity
changes in the strength of connections between neurons
- Hebb's Law: use it or lose it
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Experience-Expectant Plasticity
because of evolution, the nervous system "expects" to receive species typical experiences
- neural connections are not pre-wired, but similar connections for all members of the species (if typical experience)
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Experience Dependent Plasticity
Learning
neural connections form based on individual experiences
