PSYCH 241 Lecture Notes - Lecture 19: Prefrontal Cortex, Social Environment, Lead Paint
Document Summary
Brain changes: frontal lobe areas for planning, thinking, and emotional regulation are still developing. Lateralization (specialization) in the left hemisphere: language skills, handedness, the two hemispheres continue to lateralize during early childhood. Lateralization: some cognitive functions are specific to a specific hemisphere; process of becoming pronounced in specialization: visual, and auditory areas develop first, prefrontal cortex later (higher cognitive functioning) Handedness: begins in infancy & strengthens, 90% are right-handed (in western nations, affected by experiences, e. g culture, twins, early damage to left hemisphere may cause shift in handedness, dominant hemisphere: opposite side of dominant hand. How do we study lateralization: nirs, eeg. Influences on physical growth & health: hereditary & hormones, sleep, nutrition. Impact of lost sleep more prominent in low-ses children: children"s poor sleep affects parents" sleep and functioning, nutrition in early childhood, appetite becomes unpredictable, social environment influences food choices: healthy eating habits have to be established.
