1. Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003 1 Core Concept 4-1 Development is a process of growth and change brought about by an interaction of heredity and the environment.

2. Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003 2 Nature-Nurture Controversy Long-standing dispute over relative importance of nature (heredity) and nurture (environment) in their influence on behavior and mental processes

3. Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003 3 Nature-Nurture Controversy John Locke-British philosopher-- ”tabula rasa”. Rousseau-French philosopher-- ”noble savages”

4. Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003 4 Research on Nature-Nurture Twin Studies-fraternal and identical twins are compared. Adoption Studies-adopted children are compared to their biological and adoptive families.

5. Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003 5 Twin Studies

6. Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003 6Nature-Nurture Answer: interaction of both We are the product of both nature and nurture. Genes give us our potential. Environment determines how we express our potential.

7. Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003 7 Examples of the Interaction of Nature and Nurture Intelligence Athletic ability Personality traits Alcoholism Mental illnesses

8. Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003 8 Intelligence (IQ): Nature vs. Nurture Unrelated children reared apart--IQ scores correlate -.01. Unrelated children reared together--IQ scores correlate.24. Siblings reared apart--IQ scores correlate.47. Siblings reared together--IQ scores correlate.55

9. Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003 9 IQ: Nature vs. Nurture (cont’d) Biological parents and children--IQ scores correlate.50. Foster parents and children--IQ scores correlate.20. Fraternal twins reared together--IQ scores correlate.50 Identical twins reared apart--IQ scores correlate.75. Identical twins reared together--IQ scores correlate.87.

10. Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003 10 Mental Retardation: Nature vs. Nurture Many types of mental retardation are directly caused by a genetic defect. Cultural deprivation can also lead to mental retardation.

11. Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003 11 Gradual vs. Abrupt Change Controversy over whether the developmental changes produced by nature and nurture occur in clearly defined “stages” or more gradually and continually.

12. Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003 12 Continuity View Development is gradual and continuous Psychological development much the same as physical growth--a gradual process.

13. Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003 13 Discontinuity View Development proceeds in an uneven fashion. Developmental Stages--periods of life initiated by distinct changes in physical or psychological functioning.

14. Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003 14 Gradual versus Abrupt Change Continuity view vs. Discontinuity view Age Performance Continuity view Discontinuity view

15. Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003 15 Core Concept 4-2 Newborns have innate abilities; however the developing abilities of infants and children rely on learning.

16. Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003 16 Maturation Process by which genetic program of development unfolds over time. Development’s biological time schedule.

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18. Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003 18 Core Concept 4-3 Infants and children face important developmental tasks in the areas of language acquisition, cognition, and social relationships.

19. Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003 19 Cognitive Development Thinking changes throughout childhood. Young children do not think like adults. Abilities of symbolic thinking and logic develop in stages. Swiss psychologist, Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive development details four stages of cognitive development.

20. Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003 20 Sensorimotor Stage Birth to 2 years Discovery of relationships between sensations and motor behavior. Limited mental representation and object permanence

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24. Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003 24 Preoperational Period Ages 2 to 7 Use of symbols to represent objects internally, especially through language Limited use of logic as seen through egocentrism, animistic thinking, and centration.

25. Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003 25 Concrete Operational Period Ages 7-11 years Child understands logic as seen in conservation tasks Limited by lack of abstract thinking.

26. Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003 26 Formal Operational Period Ages 11 years on Development of abstract problem solving such as hypothetical reasoning Can think about what is possible

27. Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003 27 Core Concept 4-4 Nature and nurture continue to produce changes throughout life, but in adulthood these changes include both growth and decline.