PSY100H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Mcdonaldland
Lecture 8 notes
Life-Span Development
- The brain is not wired at conception. Connections between nerve cells are made in the womb as
well as after birth
- The adult brain contains trillions of nerve cells interconnected in a very complex way
- Environment shapes the brain but can’t completely change genetic destiny
- If you forget something it’s not because those neurons have died… sometimes it’s just that a
connection has become weaker
- APGAR (a 2 point scale taken after one minute then again after five)
o Activity (Muscle Tone)
o Pulse
o Grimace (Reflex Irritability)
o Appearance (Skin Color)
o Respiration
- Infants have a very limited repertoire of behaviors many are essential for survival :
o Breathing
o Swallowing
o Sucking
- Some reflexes are adaptive or are left over from evolution:
o Rooting (turning head in direction of touch)
o Palmar or Grasp (palm closes when touched)
o Stepping (legs take steps when feet touch surface)
o Moro or Startle (spreading of arms when let go)
o Babinski (toes curl up when sole is pushed)
o Swimming (paddling and kicking when face down in water)
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PSY100H1 Full Course Notes
Verified Note
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Document Summary
Connections between nerve cells are made in the womb as well as after birth. The adult brain contains trillions of nerve cells interconnected in a very complex way. Environment shapes the brain but can"t completely change genetic destiny. If you forget something it"s not because those neurons have died sometimes it"s just that a connection has become weaker. Apgar (a 2 point scale taken after one minute then again after five: activity (muscle tone, pulse, grimace (reflex irritability, appearance (skin color, respiration. Infants have a very limited repertoire of behaviors many are essential for survival : breathing, swallowing, sucking.
