CLEP- Human Growth and Development Exam Guide Graded A 2024

Controversial Issues regarding development - Nature vs. Nurture Argument: Is human development influenced more by experiences (Nurture's position) or by the genetic endowment that is inherited from our biological parents(Nature's position) Nurture's Argument - At birth the human mind is like a blank slate (tabula rasa) We are shaped by nurturing care and environmental influences that impact us. Nature's Argument - Development is an unfolding process guided by preprogrammed genetic information. Development is seen as predictable, predetermined unfolding of inherited traits and abilities. Discontinuity or Stage Theories - Agrue that development progresses through a series of stages. Each stage involves a specific task. One the stage is completed the child moves on to the next stage. Continuity Theories - Suggest that development is best described as a steady growth process. Developmental change is described as occurring in small steps or increments. Child Development vs. Life Span - Some theories of development argue that development is complete at the end of childhood. -Sigmund Freud and Jean Piaget are examples of theorist who argue that development is complete one one has reached adolescences. Life Span theories of development argue that growth and change continue to occur throughout the entire life span. -Erick Erickson is a theorist who took a life span perspective. collectivist cultures - Places greater value on the common good than individual achievement Individualistic cultures - values individual achievements and the pursuit of individual goals ID - occurs at birth, Pleasure principle; unconscious instincts; irrational; seeks instant gratification; contains the libido Ego - Occurs around 6 months, reality principle; mediates id and reality; executive branch Superego - occurs around 6 years old, morality principle, personal consciences, personal ideals ID - is unconscious and has no contact with reality. It always seeks pleasure and avoids pain. Ego - Deals with the demands of reality. It is the executive branch of personality becaus it makes rational decisions. However, it cant determine right from wrong. Superego - Can determine is something is right or wrong because it IS our conscious. It does not consider reality, only rules of moral behavior Repression - When unwanted thoughts are pushed down in the unconscious. Rationalization - Creating false but plausible excuses to justify unacceptable behavior. ex. reducing reducing guilty for cheating on your taxes by saying "everyone does it" Reaction Formation - Behaving exactly the opposite of one's true feelings. ex. A mother who feels resentment towards a child may be overly cautious or protective. Regression - reversion to immature patterns of behavior. ex. temper tantrums. Projection - Attributing one's own thoughts, feelings, motives, or shortcomings to others. Displacement - Shifting unacceptable from their original source to a safer, substitute target. ex. you are mad at our boss, but do not yell at your boss, instead you become angry with a family member when you return home Sublimation - A useful socially acceptable course of behavior replaces a socially unacceptable or distasteful impulse. ex. A person who feels aggression due to lack of control, plays an aggressive game of basketball with friends everyday. Intellectualization - By dealing with a stressful situation in an intellectual and unemotional manner, a person detaches him or herself from the stress Erick Erickson - Eight stages of psychosocial development . Each stage represents a specific task or dilemma that must be resolved with some degree of success for further development -trust vs mistrust (birth-1 year) -Autonomy vs shame and doubt(1-3 years) -Initiative vs guilt (3-6 years) -Industry vs. inferiority ( 6-11years) -Identity vs. role confusion -intimacy vs. isolation -Generativity vs. stagnation -Ego intergity vs. Despair