PSYC 3800 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Pragmatics, Critical Period, Cerebral Cortex
Document Summary
Development: certain changes that occur in humans or animals between conception and death. These changes appear in orderly ways and remain for a long period of time. Social/emotional development: refers to how individuals relate to others as well to an individuals" personality and emotional understanding. Today, the environment is seen as critical but so are biological factors and individual differences. Some psychologists assert that behaviours are 100% determined by biology and 100% determined by environment, they cannot be separated. Current views emphasize joint actions between nature and nurture. Continuous: would be like gradual improvement in your running endurance through systematic exercise. Discontinuous: would be like many changes that occur in humans during puberty such as the ability to reproduce. Piaget"s theory of cognitive development is an example of qualitative, discontinuous change in thinking abilities. Other explanations of cognitive development emphasize gradual continuous change. Later experiences are just as powerful as earlier ones and can change the direction of development.