PSYCH 1XX3 Lecture Notes - Zygote, Dishabituation, The First Three Years
12 Feb 2013
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Document Summary
Development refers to the changes and continuities that occur within the individual between conception and death. Developmental psychologists are interested in understanding how you change over time and also how you stay the same. Maturation: the biologically-timed unfolding of changes within the individual according to that individual"s genetic plan. How that plan unfolds is influenced by specific environmental conditions. In this case, you have to overcome your past learning to use the optimal strategy to first look right and then left before crossing the road. Interactionist perspective: emphasizes that most of your developmental changes reflect the interaction of maturation and learning, maturation affects learning. Some essential systems must be in place before learning proceeds. You won"t learn to walk until you"ve developed muscles in your torso and limbs and the ability to balance: learning affects maturation. Imagine a child who was given proper nutrition, but isolated in a dark room, never being allowed to play or interact with anyone.
