Psychology 2040A/B Lecture Notes - Prenatal Development, Childbirth, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 2040A/B
• Professor: M

Document Summary

Chapter 4: prenatal development, birth, and newborns readiness for life: Prenatal development: not a lot of focus on the periods of growth in terms of questions for the exams. Different things can happen at different times - don"t need to memorize them all. Period of the fetus: y variation to when you can survive into the third trimester y age of viability - when you can survive outside of the womb. Teratogens (im environmental factor) y maternal characteristics can also affect development. There are sensitive periods where teratogens can have a particular effect. Example: rubella (first trimester is the most dangerous after that not a threat) & alcohol (later on in the pregnancy can have a terrible effect) y once things are formed they are less susceptible. Thalidomide - used to relieve morning sickness - until they realized the severe birth defects. Effects include microencephaly (smaller brain), malformation, hyperactivity, seizures, below- average intelligence.