Child Development 1 (Wk 1) Chapter 1/ Sec. 1-2

When does a human begin to develop? Examples? When does a human stop developing? Examples?

What is Child Development? Psychology is the scientific study of human behavior; Developmental psychologists study changes in behavior at all phases of life

Human development- the ways people grow & change across the life span Definition Human development- the ways people grow & change across the life span

4 Main Essential Needs 1)Physical Needs: 2) Psychological Needs: 3) Learning Needs: 4) Need for Respect & Self-esteem:

Child Development is Divided into *(3/4) Domains (Categories) Physical- changes in body size, functioning of the body, perceptual and motor capacities, etc. Cognitive - changes in intellectual abilities: attention, memory, problem solving, language, etc. *(3)Social-(4)emotional- self-understanding and regulation, interpersonal and intimate skills, moral reasoning, etc.

Stages of Child Development Prenatal- Infants & Toddlers Early Childhood Middle Childhood Adolescence Emerging (young) Adulthood

Basic issues of Ch Dev.

Continuous vs. Discontinuous development The issue of whether development follows a smooth progression or a series of abrupt shifts.

Nature vs. Nurture Each theory takes a stand on its underlying causes. Which is more important/influential in development, genetic or environmental factors?

Socioeconomic Status (SES) Includes a person’s:

What is culture & how does it affect human development? Culture- is the pattern of a group’s customs, practices, values, beliefs, art, & technology, handed down through language. Is a group’s common way of life, passed from one generation to another.

Individualistic culture Collectivist culture Western developed countries value a person being independent & self-expression, individuality. Countries that value obedience & group harmony.

A theory - an orderly, integrated set of statements that are cohesive; the statements describe, explain, and predict human behavior.