PSYC 6 Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Synaptic Pruning, Fetus, Social Forces
15 Oct 2020
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Document Summary
Developmental psychology- the ways that biological and social forces combine to shape the path of human development. Each human grows and matures at about same periods in life span. Similar pattern suggests that genes set order/timing of development. Zygote- sperm united with egg implanted into uterine wall-> becomes embryo. Organs and internal systems begin to form. Fetus- after 2 months and all organs formed, heart is beating. Specific areas within brain mature and become functional. Regions of the brain learn to communicate through synaptic connections. Myelination- nerve fibers wrapped with fatty sheath, which increases speed that fibers can transmit signals. Age 4: approximately 80% of adult size. Size due to myelination/ new synaptic connections. Synaptic pruning- allows brain to adapt by creating connections that are used, and decaying connections that are not. Malnourishment- if child underfect/ brain is not stimulated, then few synaptic connections are made less sophisticated brain and less able to process complex info, solve problems, language.
