CAS PS 101 Study Guide - Quiz Guide: Prenatal Development, Prenatal Care, Central Nervous System
5 Dec 2017
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CHILD DEVELOPMENT
I. Definition of Development
1. Definition of Development - the process by which organisms grow and change over the course of their
lives. When does it begin? From time sperm fertilizes the egg. When does it end? Death.
2. Areas of Development - Physical
Perceptual
Cognitive
Language
Socio-Emotional
3. Nature - Nurture - This is the main issue in the study of development.
(1) Nature: Some people believe that much of human behavior is guided by genetics,
physiological maturation, and neurological functioning. There is a biological program that
determines the course of your life. Universals in behavior (e.g., walking, talking, etc.) can be
easily explained from this perspective. Individual differences are also believed to be genetic
(Intelligence - poor kids do worse on IQ tests because of genetic reasons and poor prenatal care
but they are born that way and no matter what you do you can't change them).
(2) Nurture: Emphasizes the physical and social environment on development. You respond to
people and objects in your environment and that is how you change. IQ differences are due to
cognitive stimulation and opportunities to learn, anyone can do well with the right environment.
(3) Integration: Both extremes have weaknesses. Most psychologists agree that both biological
and environmental variable play a role. Some biological role more important (walking), some
experience (learning to read), some both (talking, intelligence, etc.).
4. Stability - Is behavior stable over time? If you have an aggressive 3 year old, does that mean you
will have an aggressive adult? No clear answer. Some people stress the individual changes as they
grow, others stress the stability over time. In general, behavior gets more stable as you get older.
Example: IQ measured at age 2 is not that good a predictor but IQ measured at 10 is. Also, some
behaviors are more stable than others. Aggression is fairly stable. Does that mean it is not changeable?
NO. Could be environment that remains same.
II. PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT
1. Stages of Prenatal Development - Zygote (first 2 weeks of life). Begins at fertilization and extends until
zygote (fertilized egg) becomes implanted in the wall of the uterus. Embryo (3rd to 8th prenatal week).
Differentiation of most important organs and physiological systems occurs at this time and by end of this
period the embryo is recognizable as a tiny human. Rapid growth, the embryo increases 2 million percent in
size but because of this rapid growth the organism is most vulnerable to adverse environmental effects. Fetus
(From beginning of 3rd month until birth). Little further differentiation of organs occurs, however, muscle
development is rapid, closure of the palate occurs, and genitalia differentiation continues. Central Nervous
System also develops rapidly. At about 4 months you get movement of fetus. At 5 months reflexes such as
sucking, swallowing, and hiccoughing appear. At about 6 months eyes develop and can open and close eyes.
Infant still can't survive outside mother yet. 28 weeks usually thought of as age of viability, there are
exceptions however.
III. Prenatal Influences on Development
1. Teratogen - Any external agent that can harm a developing embryo or fetus. Can include disease, blood
disorders, diet, radiation, hormones, temperature, or oxygen level.
2. Developmental Stage - The effect of the teratogen varies with prenatal age. The system that is developing
at the time of the teratogen is most vulnerable. Most vulnerable period for brain is 15-25 days, for eyes 24-40
days, heart 20-40 days, legs 24-36 days. During fetal stage the effects are limited to those systems that are
still developing mainly the cerebellum, palate, cardiovascular system, nervous system, or genitalia.
3. Different Systems - Different teratogens influence specific developmental processes. Rubella effects heart,
eyes, and brain. Thalidomide results in malformations of limbs. Therefore, the most dangerous times for
these things is when those systems are developing.
IV. Physical Development
1. Norms - These are approximate ages when important attributes and skills are acquired in average child.
2. First 3 Months - Sleeps most of the time. Small but steady changes in perceptions of world (what he sees
and hears).
3. About 3 Months - More visual involvement. Exploring and interacting with world with eyes.
4. 4-7 Months - Improved eye-hand coordination. At 5 months get first purposeful, eye guided reaching for
objects.
5. 6 Months - Rolls over completely: back to stomach and stomach to back.
6. 7 Months - Sits up without help.
7. 8-9 Months - Begins to crawl. First done on belly with feet dragging.
8. First Half of Second Year - Usually takes first steps.
9. 18 Months - Infant can run but it is very clumsy.
10. 2 Years - Walks and runs fairly well.
11. Variability - These only tell us what is average, not what is normal or abnormal. If someone is faster or
slower it doesn't mean they are smarter or will develop at that rate min everything.
V. Methods of Studying Development
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Document Summary
Child development: de nition of development, de nition of development - the process by which organisms grow and change over the course of their lives. Socio-emotional: nature - nurture - this is the main issue in the study of development. (1) nature: some people believe that much of human behavior is guided by genetics, physiological maturation, and neurological functioning. There is a biological program that determines the course of your life. Universals in behavior (e. g. , walking, talking, etc. ) can be easily explained from this perspective. You respond to people and objects in your environment and that is how you change. Iq differences are due to cognitive stimulation and opportunities to learn, anyone can do well with the right environment. (3) integration: both extremes have weaknesses. Most psychologists agree that both biological and environmental variable play a role. Some people stress the individual changes as they grow, others stress the stability over time.
