Lifespan Dev: Ch. 2, 3, 5, 6 Reading Notes
Chapter 2 Biological BeginningsThe Evolutionary PerspectiveNatural Selection Adaptive BehaviorCharles DarwinNatural selection the evolutionary process by which those individualsof a species that are best adapted to their environmentare the ones most likely to survive t reproduceEvolutionary PsychologyEvolutionary psychology emphasizes the importance of adaptionreproduction t survival of the fittest in shaping behaviorEvolution influences how we make decisionsEvolutionary Developmental PsychologyOne importantconcept of T is that an extended childhood periodmight have evolved because humans require time to develop alarge brain learn the complexity of human societiesAnother key idea is that many of our evolved psychologicalmechanisms are domainspecificthe mechanisms apply only to a specific aspect of aperson's psychological makeupEvaluating Evolutionary PsychologyBandura criticized this theory noting the importanceof influence of evolution on human adaption but rejectingthe idea of one sided evolutionismsees social behavior as a product of evolved biologicalCharacteristicsAn alternative is a bidirectional viewbiological t environmental conditions influence each otheGenetic Foundations of DevelopmentDNA is not just inherited from our parents its also whatwe've inherited as a species from thespecies that came before UChromosomes Threadlike structure made of DNADNA complex molecule has a double helix shape containsgenetic intoGenes units of hereditary into that are short segments of DunGenome complete set of developmental instructions forcreatingproteins that initiate themaking of a human organismHuman Genome ProjectGenes and ChromosomesMitosis Meiosis and Fertilization46 chromosomesEgg sperm zygoteSources of Variabilitycombining the genes of 2 parents increases genetic variabilityin the population which is valuable because it provides moncharacteristics on which natural selection can operateA mutated gene can be caused bychance eventa mistake by the cellular machineryenvironmental agent such as radiationGenotype PhenotypeSusceptibility genes those that make the individual morevulnerable to specific diseases or accelerated agingLongevity genes those that make the individual lessvulnerable to certain diseases t more likely to live to anolder ageGenetic PrinciplesDominant Recessive Genesa recessive gene only exerts influence if the 2 genes of apair are both recessiveSex Linked GenesX Linked inheritance the result of when a mutated gene iscarried on the X chromosome s y men X nu diseasePolygenic InheritanceFew characteristics reflect the influence of only a singlegene or pair ofgenesmost are polygenically determineddetermined by the interaction of many different genesChromosome Gene Linked AbnormalitiesChromosome AbnormalitiesDown SyndromeSex Linked Chromosome AbnormalitiesKlinefelter syndromemales have extra X chromosomeXYYFragile X syndromeX chromosome has abnormalities t become constrictedt often breaksTurner syndromeXYY syndromeGene Linked AbnormalitiesPKUsickle cell ameniaThe Interaction of Heredity Environment TheNature Nurture DebateBehavior Geneticsthe field that seeks to discover the influence ofheredity environment on individual differences inhuman traits developmenttwin study adoption studyHeredity Environment CorrelationsPassive genotype environment correlationoccur because biological parents provide a rearingenvironment for the childEvocative genotype environment correlation be use child ntypes of environmentActive niche picking genotype environment correlationoccur when children seek out environments that they findcompatible t stimulatingSkipped The Epigenetic View Conclusions AboutPrenatal DevelopmentThe Course Of Prenatal Developmentapproximately 266 daysDivided into 3 periods1 Germinal2 Embryonic3 FetalThe Germinal Periodthe first 2 weeks after conceptionIncludescreation of the zygotecell divisionthe attachment of the multicellular organism to theuterine wallBegins with rapid cell division by the ZygoteWithin one week cells start to differentiatezygote blastocyteThe blastocyte embeds in the uterine wall the 2nd weeafter conceptionThe Embryonic Period2 8 weeks after conceptionrate of cell differentiation intensitiessupport systems for cells formorgans developendoderm inner layer of cells digestive to respiratory systectoderm outermostlayer nervous system sensory receptors n imesoderm middlelayer circulatory system bones musclesexcretory system t reproductivesystemOrganogenesis the process of organ formation duringthe first 2 months of prenatal development Ch 3 Physical and CognitiveDevelopment in InfancyPhysical Growth Developmentin InfancyMost development follows cephalocaudalproximodistal patternsCephalocaudal pattern Thesequence in which the earliestgrowth always occurs at the top the head w physicalgrowth in size weight feature differentiation graduallyworking from top to bottomProximodistal pattern the sequence in which growthstarts at the center of the body moves toward theextremitiesPhysical growth is rapid the first year but slows the secondIn the first 2 years dramatic changes character in the brain'sdevelopmentNeuroconstructivist view developmental perspective in whichbiological processes environmental conditions influence thebrain's development the brain has plasticity t is contextdependent t cognitive development is closely linked withbrain developmentan increasingly popular view of brain developmentNewborns sleep 16 17 hours a dayby 4 months many American infants approachadult like sleeping patternsSudden infant death syndrome SIDS a condition thatoccurs when a sleeping infant suddenly stops breathingdies without an apparent causeInfants need about 50calories perday for each pound theyweig Ieee ng s mo bonnet n b k fuk gMotor DevelopmentDynamic systems theory the perspective on motordevelopment that seeks to explain how motor behaviors areassembled for perceiving t actingExperience plays an important role in motor developmePerception action are coupledReflexes automatic movements govern the newborn's behaviorGross motor skills motor skills involving large muscle activitiedeveloped during infancy include control of posture andwalkingFine motor skills involves finely tuned movementsaccomplishment t becomes more refined during thefirst 2 years of lifeSensory and Perceptual DevelopmentSensation occurs when into interacts w sensory receptorsPerception is the interpretation of sensationGibson created the ecological view stating that perceptionbrings people into contact w the environment toInfants visual acuity dramatically increases in the 1st yearSize t shape constancy by 3 monthsdepth perception by le monthsFetus can hear several weeks before birthsensory threshold is higher than adultsNewborns canrespond to touchfeel paindifferentiate among odorsMay be sensitive to taste at birthIntermodal perception the ability to relate t integrate
