Fewer than ½ of fertilized eggs (zygotes) survive1st week cell division produces 100 cells
10 days zygote attaches to uterine wall and becomes the placenta The inner cells
become the embyro
PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT
The embyro body and organs begin to form and functionHeart beat beginsLiver begins to make red blood cells
EMBRYO: 6 WEEKS
Internal organs such as stomach have formed and are functioningGives fetus a chance of surviving premature birth
FETUS: 6 MONTHS
At each prenatal stage, genetic and environmental factors affect development
Nutrients and teratogens are passed from mother Example: a mother who
drinks heavily puts her fetus at risk for FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome)
NUTRITION AND THE MOTHER
Surprising compotentSensory equipment
and reflexes help with interaction with adults Rooting reflex
Prefer objects within 8-12 inches Distance of a nursing
mothers eyesKnow mothers odor
and voice
THE AMAZING NEWBORN
After birth neural networks have a growth spurt Muturation set the
course of development Experiences adjust it
Lack of neural connections explain why we can’t remember those developmental years 3.5 yrs. old is average
memory start time
INFANTS
Infants begin cognition (thinking, knowing, remembering) Begin forming
schemas that help assimilate our experiences
Infants go from sensorimotor stage to object permanaence Things exist even when
out of sight
SENSORIMOTOR TO OBJECT PERMANENCE
8 months Infants prefer familiar voices and faces Begin showing
stranger anxiety Become attached
because of warmth and comfort Not imprinted like
animals Forms over time
ATTACHMENT
Adolescence is the transformation from childhood to adult hood
Puberty Begins in girls at 11 and
boys at 13 Primary Sex Characteristics:
Reproductive Organs Secondary Sex
Characteristics: Females: Breasts and hips Males: facial hair, deeper voice Both: Underarm and pubic hair
Landmarks Males: 1st ejaculation age 14 Females: Menarche age 12
TRANSITION
Erik Erikson: Adolescence is to solidify one’s identity We try different selves
We gather them all into a self and then feel ready for intimacy
Gender differences Females:
interdependent and open
Males: closed and selective
SELF
Middle Adulthood Barely noticed physical
changes occur and begin to accelerate during middle adulthood
For women MenopauseLater Life
Declining perception, strength, and stamina
Brain remain healthy Unless brain disease like
Alzheimer’s acquired
DECLINE
Memory Recognition remains
strong, recall declinesResearch
Cross-Sectional Studies Steady intellectual
decline in early adulthood Longitudinal Studies
Intellectual stability until late in life
Fluid Intelligence Declines later in life
Crystallized Intelligence Does not decline
DECLINE CON’T
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