PSY210H5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Cochlear Implant, Developmental Science, Empiricism
Document Summary
Scientific study of changes or continuities in an organism between initial conception and death: we will focus on early human development (i. e. child development) Field is highly interdisciplinary with important practical and theoretical implications. Developmental science (with a lifespan focus) developmental psychology child. Improved safety for firemen and race car drivers. Inspired technical advances allowing for development of cochlear implants. Experience is not the source of human knowledge because our senses are too fallible. Children enter the world armed with innate knowledge about the world and experience. Plato"s cave allegory simply triggers this pre-existing knowledge. Children do not possess extensive innate knowledge. Child"s mind likened to a blank tablet. Nativist: emphasizes the role of nature (or innate factors) in development. Empiricist: emphasize the role of nurture (or the environment) in development. Human knowledge is based in perceptual experience. Child"s min likened to a tabula rasa, or blank slate".
