module 3: nature vs. nurture i. what makes us who we are?
TRANSCRIPT
Module 3: Nature vs. Nurture
I. What makes us who we are?
A. Nature – biological dispositions that we’re born with (genes)– The human genome contains 30,000 genes!
B. Nurture – our surroundings, upbringing, social influences
Example: Rats in a deprived environment had less brain development.
C. Individual Differences
1. Identical Twins – share the same genes, develop from the same egg. The best way to study human development.
– Raised together: same “nature” AND “nurture” (Most likely to have same personality)
– Raised apart: same “nature” but different “nurture” experiences
2. Fraternal Twins – develop from two different eggs
•Can be different sex (1 boy, 1 girl)
•“Nature” – genetically no different than regular siblings
•“Nurture” – very similar experiences
Twin Studies
• United Streaming video clip
Module 4: The Beginnings of Life
A. Physical Development – first stage is Zygote (0-2 weeks)
EMBRYO
2-8 weeks
9 weeks-birth
FETUS
TERATOGENS
B. Cognitive Development – Neural connections are
still forming
Example: Most people have no memory prior to age 4
Neural Development
1. Piaget’s Stages
• Sensorimotor – touching, tasting, moving• Pre-Operational – pretend play, object
permanence (knowing an object continues to exist even when out of sight)
• Concrete Operational – understand conservation (quantity does not change despite changes in shape), math
• Formal Operational – abstract thinking, hypothetical situations, moral reasoning
Piaget’s Stages of Cognitive Development
C. Social Development – bonding with parents
1. Ainsworth Study – 3 types of attachment– Secure: a healthy bond with caregivers– Ambivalent: child is unsure, lacks trust
in caregivers– Avoidant: child is insecure and distant,
caused by neglect (ignoring the baby’s cries of distress)
2. Harry Harlow Study
• Infant monkeys preferred a cloth “mother” without milk than a wire “mother” with milk.
• CONCLUSION: Body contact is more important for bonding than nourishment.
• Worth Digital Media Archive Clip
3. Erik Erikson’s Stages of Social Development
• Infants and children must develop trust, autonomy, initiative, and competence in order to become healthy adults
4. Parenting Styles
• Authoritarian: Cold, high in discipline, parent in control
• Permissive: Warm/loving, low in discipline, child in control
• Authoritative: Warm, moderate discipline, parent and child negotiate and compromise
Module 5: Adolescence
A. Physical Development1. Adolescence – transition from puberty to
independence2. Puberty – period of sexual maturation3. Sex Characteristics - Primary
(reproductive) vs. Secondary (non-reproductive)
4. Sexual Orientation – an enduring sexual attraction to same or other gender
B. Cognitive Development
• Kohlberg’s Stages of Morality
1.Pre-conventional: childhood to age 9– Decisions are based on reward or
punishment
2. Conventional: teens and most adults
• Decisions are made to fit in, to be a good citizen, to “do the right thing” (follow rules and laws).
3. Post-conventional: Few people reach this level of reasoning.– Decisions made with respect
to the rights of all people
• Piaget’s Stages of Cognitive Development:
Teenagers are in the Formal Operational Stage: can understand abstract ideas, capable of mature moral reasoning
C. Social Development
•Erik Erikson’s Stages: Identity – teenagers refine their sense of self by testing roles and then
integrating them
Module 6: Adulthood and Aging
A. Physical Changes1. Deterioration: senses (sight,
smell, hearing), muscle mass, memory
2. Increased immunity to common cold
3.Menopause (in women)
4. Diseases Related to Aging
a. Alzheimer’s disease – a progressive and irreversible brain disorder characterized by gradual deterioration of memory, reasoning, language, and physical functioning (final stage)
b. Senile Dementia – mental disintegration that can be caused by alcoholism, stroke, brain tumor, aging, or Alzheimer’s disease
Physical Changes: Vision
Physical Changes: Sense of Smell
Physical Changes: Hearing
B. Cognitive Changes
1. Deficits in Recall (it’s not as good anymore)
– Ex: what is your phone number?– Ex: Describe the burglar’s appearance.
• Recognition stays strong– Ex: is 555-1234 your phone number?– Ex: Pick from this line-up of suspects.
2. Less Fluid Intelligence
• The ability to reason speedily and abstractly, decreases with age
• Crystallized Intelligence (wisdom) – one’s accumulated knowledge and verbal skills, increases with age
C. Social Changes
1. Social Clock: the culturally preferred timing of certain social events (marriage, parenthood, retirement)
• Erikson’s Stage of Social Development: INTIMACY
2. Empty Nest
• Alone for the first time in 18+ years
• Erikson’s Stage of Social Development: GENERATIVITY
3. Death and Dying
a. INTEGRITY (Erikson’s Stage of Social Development): Facing their own mortality, older adults must maintain a sense of hope and pride despite friends and family passing away.
b. Grief and Loss: (DABDA)
• Not Supported By Research