General Psychology

Scripture

• Matthew 5:10

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

But if, in the honest effort to be Christians, and to live the life of Christians, others persecute and revile us, we are to consider this as a blessing. It is all evidence that we are the children of God, and that he will defend us.

Experience and Brain DevelopmentRats living in an “enriched” environment (more social interaction and physical play) experienced a greater growth in brain size and complexity than those rats living in an “impoverished” environment.

Brain Development Means Growth AND Pruning To make our well-used brain

pathways work better, the unused connections are “pruned” away.

This means that if certain abilities are not used, they will fade.

Impact of Experience/Nurture on Brain Development The Process Continues into Adulthood

Repeated practice at a finger-tapping task begins to activate a [slightly] larger group of motor neurons.

Is parenting a powerful environmental influence on development? Generally,

environmental influences, including parenting, account for about 10 percent of temperament, although a much higher percentage for other features such as values.

Non-abusive “average” parents should ease off on both the blame and the credit they assume for how their kids turn out.

Where this percentage increases: “extreme” parenting, including severe neglect and abuse

Peer Influence The degree of peer influence is hard to trace. Apparent conformity (the

whole group smokes) could be a selection effect (they get together because they want to be with others who like to smoke).

Interaction with peers can teach new social skills. Parents may try to have indirect influence by selecting a child’s peers,

such as by selecting a school or neighborhood. However, ultimately, most children self-select their peers.

Parents vs. PeersBattling over non-genetic influence

Parents have more influence on:

Education and career pathCooperation

Self-disciplineResponsibilityCharitableness

ReligionStyle of interaction with

authority figures

Peers have more influence on:

Learning cooperation skillsLearning the path to popularity

Choice of music and other recreation

Choice of clothing and other cultural choices

Good and bad habits

The nature of culture

Variation across cultures

Examples of cultural variation over time

Culture Influences on Development Culture refers to the patterns of ideas, attitudes, values,

lifestyle habits, and traditions shared by a group of people and passed on to future generations.

Culture is not just an influence on our nature, but it is also part of our nature. Humans form not only relationships, but culture.

Each culture has norms--standards for acceptable, expected behavior.

Example: “Eww, you wear your shoes from outdoors right into the house?”

Culture shock: feeling lost about what behaviors are appropriate

Cultural variation can occur even within one culture: language changes in vocabulary and pronunciation the pace of life quickens gender equality increases. people sleep less, socialize in person less, stare at screens more people marry more for love, but then expect more romanceThese cultural changes occur too fast to be rooted in genetic

change.

Culture Influences on DevelopmentCulture and the self: individualism and collectivism Individualist cultures value independence. They promote personal

ideals, strengths, and goals, pursued in competition with others, leading to individual achievement and finding a unique identity.

Collectivist cultures value interdependence. They promote group and societal goals and duties, and blending in with group identity, with achievement attributed to mutual support. Individualist and Collectivist Cultures Compared

Culture Influences on DevelopmentSimilarities across groups Although there are cultural differences, the differences within any

group are usually greater than the differences between groups.Example: How socially active are people in two hypothetical

countries? They may differ on average because of cultural influence, but both countries may have many mildly friendly people.

Sociability Levels in Shyland

Sociability Levels in Partyland

Self-Isolating -- Shy -- Private -- Friendly -- Outgoing -- Partier

Level/Amount of Social Activity

SCALE:

Culture and Genes:A Complex Interaction There is a difference in average

blood pressure between “racial” groups.

This may seem like a genetic difference but may actually be a cultural difference…. How?

Different cultures may have dietary differences, which in turn affect blood pressure.

Child-rearing: Cultural Differences People in individualist cultures might raise

children to be self-reliant and independent.

People in collectivist cultures might raise children to be compliant, obedient, and integrated into webs of mutual support.

People in Asian and African cultures might raise children to be more emotionally and physically close to others than in western European cultures.

Gender DevelopmentGender refers to the physical, social, and behavioral characteristics that are culturally associated with male and female roles and identity.

Some of these traits may be genetic differences; other role differences may be nurtured by culture.

Differences Between Genders

Biological:women enter

puberty earlier, live longer, and have more fat

and less muscle

Mental and Behavioral Health: women are more likely to have depression, anxiety, or eating disorders men are more likely to have autism, ADHD, and antisocial personality disorder

Gender and Aggression:

men behave more aggressively than women, and are more likely to behave in ways that harm others this difference applies to physical aggression rather than verbal or relational aggression

Gender and Social Power

In a variety of cultures, men have attributes and reputations that help them attain more social power (positions controlling more people and resources) than women do.

Men tend to interact in more dominating ways than women. Men often speak opinions rather than offering support and inviting input as women do.

Gender and Social Connection: Play When boys play, the focus

tends to be on the activity. Male play is more competitive. Men tend to dictate how the

playtime will proceed.

When women play, the focus tends to be on connection and conversation.

Female play is more social. Girls tend to invite feedback.

Are these differences due to nature or nurture?

Gender and Social Communication

Women communicate more than men:more time with friendsmore text messageslonger phone calls

However, men and women speak about the same number of words

per day. What fills in the extra time on those longer phone calls?

Maybe…. listening?

Men and women use communication differently. Women seek input and

explore relationships. Women speak about people

and feelings.

Men state their opinions and solutions .

Men speak about things and actions.

Gender and Social Connectedness

Both men and women turn to women when they want someone to talk to, seeking the “tend and befriend” response or better listening.

In general, women change roommates more often.

Women tend to have stronger ties to friends and family.

Women are often more involved with religion.

The Biology of Gender

What biologically makes us male or female?It begins with whether our 23rd pair of chromosomes looks like XX (female) or Xy (male).Testes develop, and at seven weeks, the testes produce a flood of testosterone. Hormones then guide the development of external sex organs.

Brain DifferencesDuring the fourth and fifth month of pregnancy, sex hormones bathe the fetal brain.In adulthood, women have thicker areas in a part of the frontal lobes that help with verbal fluency. There are also differences in the amygdala, hippocampus, and ratio of cell bodies to axons.

The Nurture side of Gender Roles: The Influence of Culture

Does culture define which behaviors fill a gender role? Or do the roles affect culture?

Gender role: the behaviors expected of people related to their identity as men and women

Gender identity: one’s sense of whether one is male and female, including a sense of what it means to be that gender

Gender roles and culture: is differentiation a good thing?

does that prevent conflict, and help culture stay stable, because roles are clear?

or is equality worth having some conflict and uncertainty?

If it’s man’s job to get the high paying employment,

If it’s women’s work to take care of the

kids and home,

Change in Social Roles?

If current trends continue, women will soon be the majority of practitioners in some fields that were once dominated by men in the United States.

Culture Influence on Gender Role Development

Or is it instinct?

Social learning theory: we learn gender role behavior by imitation, and by rewards and punishments that shape our behavior

Gender schemas: the cognitive frameworks for developing concepts of “male” and “female”; these frameworks guide our observations

Gender typing: the instinct which drives some children to fit into traditional gender roles

Influences on Who You’ve Become

Beyond Biopsychosocial Influences: CHOICE

Is our behavior and identity rigidly determined by our combination of nature/genes and nurture/experience?

Even if free will is an illusion, it would seem that we can make choices that override our genetic influences, that differ from cultural norms, and that do not fit our environment.

We can even choose to directly alter culture, environment, and even genes.