Developmental Issues
Developmental Issues in psychology present physical, psychological, and social change across the lifespan. Psychology focus on three major themes: nature and nurture, continuity and phases, stages and change and explores how nature and nurture relate the argument that interacts with experiences to influence development from within genetic inheritance.
By the end of this section, you should know about:
- Developmental Psychology’s Major Issues
- Continuity and Stages
- Stability and Change
- Prenatal Development and the Newborn
- The Competent Newborn
Let’s take a closer look at them!
Test Your Knowledge
At the end of this section, take a fast and free pop quiz to see how much you know about Developmental Issues, Prenatal Development, and the Newborn.
Developmental Psychology’s Major Issues
Continuity vs Stages requires progress to be gradual, like a ladder, or with special techniques like climbing a ladder. Finally, stability and change require traits that remain stable, as well as those that change as we age. These findings are central to understanding human growth, with researchers proposing theories of cognitive, moral and psychosocial development that suggest a mixture of gradual changes and distinct periods.
Developmental Issues: Continuity and Stages
The notion of whether development is continuous or staged has been a central question in developmental thought. Some researchers see development as a sequential process, determined by experience, while others emphasize biologically driven stages of development through which they all progress in the same order, albeit at different speeds in the 19th century, the processes theories proposed by Jean Piaget, Lawrence Kohlberg, and Erikson suggest that development occurs in discrete stages. However, research has shown that some abilities that Piaget attributed to later stages emerge early in life, and adult development does not always follow a predictable sequence Despite these nuances, the concept of seasons remains useful in understanding long-term developmental processes.
Stability and Change
Development is characterized by stability and change. Some traits, such as temperament, show greater stability over time. For example, children who exhibit aggressive behaviors are more likely to engage in risky behaviors or develop behavioral issues at a later date. However, some traits remain relatively constant, while other social traits and coping strategies change over time. People tend to have greater self-development, and traits such as agreeableness, conscientiousness, and self-confidence improve with age. For example, many people who were irresponsible in their youth will become responsible adults. Status gives us a sense of identity, while change gives us hope and flexibility.
Developmental Issues: Prenatal Development and the Newborn
Prenatal development involves complex processes, beginning with fertilization when a sperm fertilizes. The fertilized egg or zygote divides into specialized cells and begins to differentiate. Within a few weeks, the growing bacteria forms a placenta, which attaches to the uterine wall and supports the fetus. By nine weeks, the embryo is a fetus, and by six months, the fetuses have developed their organs so much that if they are born early, their chances of survival are greater. Genetic and environmental costs prenatal development, including fetal response to sound and prenatal learning ability. The placenta acts as a protective barrier, but the fetus can still be affected by harmful substances known as teratogens. For example, alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to fetal alcohol syndrome, which can lead to lifelong physical and mental disorders.
The Competent Newborn
Newborns bring with them a wealth of genetic abilities, which help them survive and interact with their environment. Sensory stimuli such as sucking, pulling muscles, and withdrawing from pain are critical to survival. Contrary to earlier beliefs that newborns develop hallucinations, research has shown that babies are able to respond to stimuli and have innate cognitive abilities like children, a newborn recognizing and liking their mother’s voice and smell, preferring images that resemble faces. Researchers use techniques such as habituation to examine their cognitive abilities, where infants are not interested in familiar stimuli. These abilities mean that newborns are far more capable than previously thought, using senses that allow them to interact with the world and initiate relationships.
Developmental psychology a branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, and social change throughout the life span.
Zygote the fertilized egg; it enters a 2-week period of rapid cell division and develops into an embryo.
Embryo the developing human organism from about 2 weeks after fertilization through the second month.
Fetus the developing human organism from 9 weeks after conception to birth.
Teratogens (literally, “monster maker”) agents, such as chemicals and viruses, that can reach the embryo or fetus during prenatal development and cause harm.
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) physical and cognitive abnormalities in children caused by a pregnant woman’s heavy drinking. In severe cases, signs include a small, out-of-proportion head and abnormal facial features.
Habituation decreasing responsiveness with repeated stimulation. As infants gain familiarity with repeated exposure to a stimulus, their interest wanes and they look away sooner.