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Northern Virginia Community College - Loudoun Campus Developmental Psychology 230, 231 & 235 Dr. Rosalyn M.

King, Professor

EXAMINATION #1
1. Describe the field of developmental psychology. Discuss the main focus of human development. What are the issues discussed relative to development? What are the special problems that complicate the study of age-related changes across the lifespan?

The field of development psychology is to study the human brain and how it functions from person to person. The main focus is to support the understanding of how humans change in behavior with the ultimate aim to benefit society, keeping in mind that the all people everywhere can change or stay the same. What is the role of developmental theories in the study of human development? Describe how these theories have been classified by your textbook and from your class notes as they attempt to explain aspects of human development. What are the precise theories by their developmental focus and their major emphases? Why are these theories important to understanding development? What particular theory do your find intriguing and why?

The role of developmental theories in human development is to provide the framework for explaining the patterns and problems of development. These theories are classified as grand theories and emergent theories. Grand theories- Comprehensive theories of psychology, that focuses on child development and behavior and cognitive theory. Emergent theories- theories that bring together information that may not have enough establishment be considered grand theories. Sigmund Freud was the first psychoanalyst, focusing on the first six years (infancy-preschool) of life in three stages characterized by the sexual pleasure focusing on the particular parts of the body. During infancy, Freud associated the erotic body part as the mouth (ORAL STAGE); during early childhood he focused on the anus (ANAL STAGE); during preschool school he focused on the penis (PHALLIC STAGE)

Freud maintained that each change in stage is linked to a major part in developmental needs as well as challenges such as toilet training.

Erik Erickson -known as the most notable in the field of human development who never knew is biological father. His focus was on eight different stages of development focusing on trust versus mis-trust He strongly emphasize the social environment of family and culture throughout adulthood which reflect his Psychosocial Development belief. Jean Piaget-frequently referred as a psychologist, he was an epistemologist. His main focus was the Cognitive Development; birth-adult. Piaget studied nature along with his own belief that children learn best by the interaction with environment which creates learning. Examples of Piagets stages of Cognitive Development Sensorimotor (Birth-18 months) - when a child has a choice of materials such as age appropriate toys. Preoperational (18months-6years) opportunities of various age appreciate materials. Concrete Operational (6 years-12 years) - thinking of moments from familiar events. Formal Operational (12 years-adults) aware of who they are such as; likes and dislikes. Lev Vygotskys came to the field without specific training in psychology and development. His focus was on cognitive development and culture and how children learned by using observations; What a child could do alone to what they could do with support. Vygotsky strongly believe children learn best by having interactions with teachers and peers, which support concrete thinking. Fischers-focus is on behavior on the optimal level. Leaving the environment as the tool to determine how the outcome of ones behavior. Kohlberg-focused on three levels of morality; 4years-adult; scene of reasoning. Level1. Preconventional- 4-10yrs old, avoiding punishment Level2. Conventional Role Conformity- 10-13yrs old, care for others feeling. Level3.- Post Conventional-13-up, moral awareness. The precise theories and their major emphases are the humans develop how they act and think from infancy through lifespan. From a parent and early educator prospective, Ive found that ALL theories are intriguing. Overall, with the collaboration ranging from heredity to environment help one understand how Humans Development with reasoning on how humans think and act!

3. What particular features of Vygotskys theory make it very different from Piagets theory? How are the two similar? What is the meaning and significance of the zone of proximal development in Vygotskys theory? Conclude this discussion with your overall point of view and assessment of these two theorists and their explanations. Vygotskys theory has many features that are different from Piagets theory, including the belief that not only cognitive development is affected by physical development but how they work together, which Piaget believed that cognitive development is partly based on physical development. On the other hand Vygotsky believes that culture backgrounds and the value from surroundings shaped cognitive development which support how children learn about the world. Observation and interaction was one differences, which Piaget felt no importance of others and focused more on four evident phases. Vygotsky and Piagets theories are similar as they both focus on the mental construction and the boundaries of cognitive growth that is established by societal influences. Vygotskys theory is that zone of proximal development is the second aspect of cognitive theory to encourage maximum learning such as, scaffolding which encourages and assist inn mastering a new concept of learning with or without learning. I really agree with Vygoskys theory due to the fact that Piagets theory is more concrete. Vygoskys theory has a since of flexibility with the focus of the Whole Child. Overall, they both have great information that supports a more conducive learning environment.

4. Describe what genes are and how they influence human development. Identify some important reproductive challenges and choices (including prenatal diagnosis tests and infertility technology). What are the some of the factors that determine whether a couple is at risk for having a child with genetic abnormalities? What is our current state of knowledge about comment genetic abnormalities and their causes? What current scientific research is ongoing in the search for eradication or correction of genetic problems? What should individuals and families know about their family backgrounds and that of their spouse prior to conception? Where can they go for help?

Genes are tiny cells made up of 23 chromosomes that come from each parent totaling 46 in all. Genes influence recessive traits, phenotype and genotypes. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) made up of proteins which support identity. The choices of having an Amniocentesis help to determine the development or gender of the unborn. This test is done by drawing a sample of amniotic

fluids from the mothers stomach around the 16th to 18th week of pregnancy. Some of facts that help a couple determine whether their child is having genetic abnormalities to have early prenatal care and have the appropriate testing as the baby is growing. Some factors that comment genetic abnormalities such as * Birth defects- that can be caused by sex-linked of abnormalities in the chromosomes. *Hormonal imbalances or other chemical imbalances, which can include environment. *More than 4, 200 diseases are caused by defects in genes have been identified. I feel that the female and male should get to know each other as well as family history to ;lhelp with the chance of any birth defects or health concerns that may arise after conception.

5. What are the ideal factors for conceptionhow must both parents prepare for conception? Cite some of the findings from research of the environmental influences on prenatal developmentfrom the father and the mother. What decisions must be made by the parents about the birthing process? What are the critical aspects of assessing the newborn after birth? What must medical professionals be concerned about relative to assessing the health of a newborn and what are the techniques they use to make this assessment? The factors in conception depends how the couple chooses to conceive. First they have to determine if they have the genes to conceive. If not they may have to do further research or testing to how this scan take place such as alternative methods ranging from frozen embryo transform to donated eggs. This may take more effort far as the way the way the female genes made so she would need moral support from the male. Environmental influences on prenatal development include: Infertility, sperm, chemicals, food, alcohol, drugs, pesticides, illness and disease The assessment of the newborn is critical. This is the stage that is most dramatic and extensive transformation of the entire life span. The concern during birth is to ensure the baby has enough oxygen to birth on its own to birth weight to be able to thrive in growth. The doctors use scales to medical test to determine what if the baby would need future attention. 6. What is your assessment of this first component of developmental lifespan psychology? What have been the most intriguing aspects of this discussion for you? What questions remain for you? (For bonus points5 points) The first component of developmental lifespan psychology has been interesting. Most of all, to learn in depth how the development of the human body was studied by so many theories and to learn how they are so different but relate for the development of the human body. My most intriguing aspect of this discussion was the impact of the father and his sperm. At this point I have no further questions, just wanting to learn more knowledge about the human growth and development.

References

1. Berger, Kathleen (2008) The development person through the life span. New York: Worth Publishers 2. King, Rosalyn (2008) Enriching the lives of children: Cambridge, England: Cambridge Scholars Publishing

3. Mooney, Caro (2000) An introduction to Theories of Childhood: Manchester, New Hampshire 4. Freiberg, Keren L(2010/2011) Human Development: University of Maryland, Baltimore County

EXAMINATION #1

Sandy Johnson PSY 235 Dr. Rosalyn King November 1, 2010

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