PSY 402 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Sandra Scarr, Ageism, Disengagement Theory
16 Sep 2016
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Chapter 2: models of development: nature and nurture in adulthood. Key concepts in the study of the life span. Life span perspective: views development as continuous from childhood through old age. Contextual influences on development: sex, race, ethnicity, social class, religion, culture. Nature & nurture are both considered to influence the life span of an individual. Gerontology: an interdisciplinary field that draws from biology, sociology, anthropology, the humanities and other behavioural/social sciences. Behaviour is not only influenced by familial traits but to the environment and the people who surround you such as friends, social groups, etc. Early 20th century - nature as opposed to nurture was a largely focused on; the genetic makeup of the individual was seen to be the factor of development. During this time, due to many physical/biological changes in those from birth to adolescence, environmental factors were very rarely considered.
