1

The Study of Human Development

Chapter 1

© 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

2

Did you know?

In some societies there is no concept of adolescence or middle age?

Within the next 50 years, it has been estimated that half the US population will be Hispanic, black, or Asian?

More than 36 million people still live in poverty? According to research, children who have been

exposed to television and computers from an early age develop differently than children who grew up without them?

© 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

3

Human Development

Human Development: the scientific study of processes of change and stability throughout the human life span

Developmental Scientists: professionals who study the science of development– Their work can have a drastic impact on human lives

Example: Researchers in Boston found that children who went to school hungry or lacked essential nutrients in their diets had poorer grades and more emotional or behavioral problems

© 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

4© 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

Formal Study of Human Development

The Scientific Study of How Humans Develop

– Development is systematic (coherent and organized)– Development is adaptive (it is aimed at dealing with internal

and external conditions of existence)– Development is life-long (i.e. life-span development)

Stanford Studies of Gifted Children

5© 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

Four Goals of Developmental Psychology

● Describe Example: When do children say their first words?

● Explain Example: How do children learn to use language?

Predict Example: Will delayed

language development affect speech?

● Modify Example: Can therapy help speech delays?

A better understanding of these concepts allows us to know when to intervene

6© 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

Domains of DevelopmentChange & Stability

Developmental Scientists study the following 3 main domains:– Physical Development Body, brain, senses, motor skills, & health

– Cognitive Development Learning, memory, moral reasoning, language, thinking,

& creativity

– Psychosocial Development Personality, emotional life, & relationships

7

3 Domains

Although we speak of each of these domains as if they were separate, they all impact each other.

“Our brains work better, our thinking is sharper, our moods are brighter, and our vulnerability to disease diminishes if we are physically fit.”

For example, a child who develops an ear infection may have delayed speech.

© 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

8© 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

Periods of the Life Span: A Social Construction

• Based on subjective perceptions or assumptions

• Varies among cultures

• Changes over generations Adolescence only recently introduced in industrial

societies In the past people were considered children until they left

school. Adolescence was developed as a concept when formal high schools were developed and more families become financially capable of providing increased schooling to children

9© 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

Periods of the Life Span

Prenatal Period Conception – Birth

Infancy and Toddlerhood Birth – 3 years

Early Childhood 3 - 6 years

Middle Childhood 6 - 11 years

Adolescence 11 - 20 years

Young Adulthood 20 – 40 years

Middle Adulthood 40 – 65 years

Late Adulthood 65 years and Over

10© 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

Influences on Development

Individuals vary in rate and timing of development, due to:o Heredity: Inherited traits from biological

parents

o Environment: Physical & social influences

o Maturation: Sequences of physical & behavioral patterns

11© 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

Contexts of Development: Family

What is a family?.......Depends!Great changes

– Over time– Place to place

12© 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

Nuclear Family

Two generations, parents and children Economic unit, history in farming

– In the past families use to be a lot larger due to farming needs

Dominant in Western societies Increasing numbers of

– Working parents– Stepchildren– Gay/Lesbian Homes– Single parents

13© 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

Extended Family

A multi-generational kinship Includes grandparents, cousins, aunts/uncles

……….and more!

Social roles are flexible Historically, common in

Asian, African, & Latin American cultures Becoming less typical

14© 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

Contexts of Development:Socioeconomic Status (SES)

Includes income, education & occupation Poor children more likely to:

Have emotional & behavior problems

Not reach cognitive potential

Have poorer school performance

Why may this be the case?

Do affluent children face issues also?

15© 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

Poverty Hurts Children

Outcome Risk Increase

Health

Death in Infancy 1.6 times

Premature Birth 1.8 times

Inadequate Prenatal Care 2.8 times

No regular healthcare 2.7 times

Education

Repeat a Grade 2 times

Drop Out (16 - 24 years) 3.5 times

16© 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

Low SES & Related Risk Factors

Poverty-related risks that increase chance of negative outcomes include:

Living in neighborhoods with high unemployment

Lack of social support Social support less likely in high-

unemployment neighborhoods

17© 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

Contexts of Development:Culture

Culture – A way of life

Includes:– Customs– Traditions– Artwork

Learned behavior, passed on to children

18© 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

Contexts of Development:Race & Ethnicity

● Ethnic Group – A shared identity United by ancestry, religion, or origin (cultural) Contributes to shared attitudes & beliefs

● Race – A socially-constructed term Scholars have no real consensus on definition

Categories ‘fluid’ – shaped by society & politics● Ethnic Gloss

Overgeneralization that obscures cultural differences within a group

Examples: ‘Black’ or ‘Hispanic’. What can be an issue with this?

19© 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

Contexts of Development:Historical Context

Unique time in which people live & grow up Experiences tied to time and place:

– Great Depression– World War II– The “Sixties”

20© 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

Age-GradedNormative Influences

Similar for an age group

Maturational: Fixed in time Puberty or menopause

Social: Timing is flexible

Marriage or parenthood

21© 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

Normative History-Graded Influences

Events that shape attitudes of a historical generation

o Historical Generation: A group that experiences an event at a formative time

Ex: WWII children have strong social bond to each other

o Cohort: Group born around the same time A historical generation can have many cohorts

22© 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

Non-Normative Influences

Unusual events affecting individual lives Typical events at atypical times

Puberty at age 20 Marriage in teens

Atypical events Birth defect Winning the lottery

23© 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

Timing of Influences

• Imprinting• Instinctively following first moving

object seen after birth; usually mother• Konrad Lorenz & his ducklings

• Indicates predisposition or readiness to learn

24© 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

Timing of Influences: Critical & Sensitive Periods

Critical Period Specific time when an event (or its absence) has

specific impact on development

Example: Genie

Sensitive Period Developmental timing when child is particularly

responsive to certain experiences.

25© 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

Timing of Influences: Plasticity of Development

Modifiability of performance Plasticity lasts through life span,

but has limits– Example: Limits and progress of

Genie

26© 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

Baltes’s Life Span Approach: 6 Key Principles

• Development is lifelong• Each period of the lifespan is affected by what happened before and will affect what

happens after

• Development is multidimensional• It is affected by biology, psychology, and social aspects

• Development is multidirectional• Some abilities increase and others decrease

• Development involves changing resource allocations• Individuals chose to invest their resources of time, energy, talent, money, and social support in

different ways.

• Development shows plasticity• Many abilities can be improved even late in life

• Development is influenced by the historical and cultural context• History and culture influence your development.