1. Human Development
Created by K. Singh

2. Developmental Psychology
Developmental psychology is the scientific study of human growth and change from conception to death.
Goals: Describe, Explain, and Optimize Development
Major Topics of Interest:
Nature/Nurture
Biopsychosocial approach (how people change biologically, psychologically, and socially over the life span)

3. Genes Genes and Heredity Information Chromosome: Long strands of DNA
DNA: Set of instructions made up of four main proteins (CTGA)
Gene: Section of DNA in which proteins occur in certain order
Allele: Different forms of the same gene
Dominant: Genes that are more likely to show outwardly on the person
Recessive: Genes that may be hidden or masked by dominant genes
Homozygous vs. Heterozygous: Having the same/different alleles
Genotype: The DNA instructions that a make up a person/organism
Phenotype: The outward characteristics that occur because of DNA

4. Prenatal Development 50% of genes from each parent
Conception: Sperm & Egg
Zygote
Embryo/Placenta
Fetus
Teratogens: Any chemical that interferes with prenatal development

5. Conditions at Birth Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Down Syndrome/Trisomy 21
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Turner’s Syndrome (females)/Klinefelter’s Syndrome (males)
See other genetic disorders

6. Fetal Development The Brain:
About 86 billion brain cells develop and this number stays fairly consistent across life span
After birth, neural networks form (see picture)
See how the brain develops (video)
The growing brain (0-3years)

7. The Neonate Neonate = Infant Apgar Scale:
Appearance (skin color)
Pulse (heart rate)
Grimace response (reflexes)
Activity (muscle tone)
Respiration (breathing rate and effort)
Rooting Reflex : The baby will turn its head toward something that touches its cheek
Sucking Reflex: breathing, swallowing, and sucking while drinking
Stepping Reflex: If held up, the baby will make stepping movements
Grasping Reflex: A baby will grasp anything in its hands in a tight fist
Moro Reflex: Startled movement response to loud noises
See other reflexes here.

8. Motor Reflex Cephalocaudal Development: From head to toe
Fernald and Fernald Study of Motor Development
Sequence is the same but timing varies based on culture.
US Culture: 25% of US children learn to walk by 11 months, 50% by 1st birthday
Genetics: Twins tend to start walking on the same day
Maturation: Certain skills, traits, and abilities are biologically programmed and can only occur when children are developmentally ready
i.e. sitting up, toilet training, etc.

9. Studies in Development
Infants: Eye tracking and habituation
Twin Studies (Nature vs. Nurture)
Longitudinal: (See video)
Panel/Cohort/Retrospective
Pros: close look at individuals/sensitive to change, Cons: time and people drop out
Cross Sectional:
Comparing similar groups at different ages
Pros: quick, shows age differences Cons: finding participants, life experiences are so different between people

10. Types of Development Physical: Attachment Personality: Cognition:
Gesell
Harlow
Lorenz
Bowlby
Personality:
Ainsworth
Freud
Erikson
Kagan (temperament)
Cognition:
Piaget vs. Vygotsky (social-cognitive)
Language
Chompsky
Moral
Kohlberg vs. Giligan
Parenting
Baumrind (See Original Article)