Personal Psychology 1: The Road to Self-Discovery
Unit 6: Development Over the Lifespan
Unit Objectives
After studying this unit, you will be able to:
crystallized intelligence
the knowledge gained from past experiences, as well as information based on facts
continuity
the ideology that development takes place at a constant rate over time
critical period
a crucial time during development for forming functions and systems essential for survival
discontinuity
the ideology that development takes place in steps
fluid intelligence
the ability to reason and think abstractly as well as learn new things
identify formation
developing a strong sense of who you are based on your personality, experiences, needs, and desires
moral development
the process of individuals learning right from wrong according to laws, regulations, and social norms
sensitive periods
a period in which developmental systems are more responsive and impacted by stimuli
teratogens
viruses or chemicals that reach the embryo or fetus and impair development
zygote
a single cell with the potential to develop into an animal or plant
Do you think development is smooth (like a tree growing consistently over time) or staggered (development stops for a time then resumes in a big “leap”)?
Let’s Take a Poll!
Studying the Lifespan
Lesson 1
Methods to Study Development
Longitudinal research
Cross-sectional research
Correlation research
Strategies for Research
Self-report
Observation
Interviews
Let’s Revisit: Is Development Smooth or Staggered?
Discontinuity: development is stagnant for a time and then moves to the next level
Continuity: the ideology that development takes place at a constant rate over time
When in your life has development felt smooth/continual?
When has it felt staggered?
Conversation Starter
Prenatal and Infant Development
Lesson 2
Stages of Fetal Development
Embryo
Zygote
Fetus
The Road to a Healthy Baby
Sensitive periods
Critical period
Genetics
Teratogens
Baby’s First Skills
Finding protection
Instinctive reflexes and inborn abilities
Disposition/temperament
Physical Development
Milestones in motor development
Neural connections
Attachment Theory
Overview
Types of Attachment
What would Piaget, Vygotsky, Freud, and Bandura have to say about attachment?
Conversation Starter
Childhood
Lesson 3
Do those words about childhood from earlier still ring true now that we’ve seen how childhood used to be for many children?
What does Dorsa say could help children develop in a more evolutionarily appropriate way?
Conversation Starter
Physical and Motor Development in Childhood
Middle childhood
Early childhood
Puberty
Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development
Autonomy vs. Shame (18 months to 3 years)
Trust vs. Mistrust (birth to 18 months)
Initiative vs. Guilt (3 to 5 years)
Industry vs. Inferiority (5 to 12 years)
Identity vs. Role Confusion (12 to 18 years)
Intimacy vs. Isolation (18 to 40 years)
Generativity vs. Stagnation (40 to 65 years)
Ego Integrity vs. Despair (65 years to death)
Moral Development
Piaget: Moral Realism vs. Moral Relativism
Kohlberg
Preconventional Morality
Conventional Morality
Postconventional Morality
Adolescence
Lesson 4
Physical Changes
Gearing up for reproduction
Brain
New synapses created
Prefrontal cortex/decision-making
Moral Development and Reasoning: Scenario 1
You are grounded, but your friend is meeting up with someone she’s never met before and doesn’t want to do it alone. You committed to going with her.
Moral Development and Reasoning: Scenario 2
There is a huge party this weekend. Everyone who is anyone will be there. You feel privileged to be included; however, you know there is a high likelihood drugs and alcohol will be present. If your parents know the details, they will not be okay with you attending.
Moral Development and Reasoning: Scenario 3
You are discussing the Iraq war and learn about the prisoner abuse that took place in the Abu Ghraib prison. You are asked to determine who was at fault. What factors should you consider? Was it the responsibility of the soldiers or the higher-ups they answered to?
Identity
Identify formation: developing a strong sense of who you are based on your personality, experiences, needs, and desires
James Marcia’s ways identify develops:
Identity diffusion
Identity foreclosure
Moratorium
Identity achievement
Adulthood
Lesson 5
What do you think about when you hear the word “adulting”?
Physical Development
Exercise
Fertility
Women
Men
Late adulthood
A Sluggish Brain
Memory
Frontal lobe
Driving
Decision-making
Plasticity/rewiring
Crystallized vs. fluid intelligence
Social, Cultural, and Emotional Issues
Friends
Community
Eastern vs. Western cultures
Partners
Death and Dying
Anger
Denial
Bargaining
Depression
Acceptance