Child Psychology Final Exam
Chapter 1: Introduction to Child Development
Reasoning to Learn About Child Development
Learning child development is important for raising children, choosing social policies, and
understanding human nature.
Historical Foundations of the Study of Child Development
Plato
Plato believed long term welfare of child depends on their upbringing and how raised
Also believed children were born knowing things, innate (nature)
Aristotle
Aristotle believed children’s knowledge is acquired through experience (nurture)
Rosseau
Rosseau believed children learned from interactions with the world (nurture)
Children should be given maximum freedom w/ formal education until age 12
Locke
Locke believed children shouldn’t be indulged at early age and should be shown discipline.
Children were blank canvases and parents must provide good example of honesty and such
Themes of Child Development (7)
Nature v. Nurture (1)
Before it used to be “is it nature OR is it nurture”
Now, we are trying to see HOW nature and nurture interact to shape developmental process?
Nature - biological endowment
,Nurture - environments, both physical and social, that influence our development
Example: adopted child, may have predisposition to develop depression bc their parents have
mental illnesses
However if they are adopted into a home that is stable, secure, and healthy then likelihood of
developing depression may be decreased
But if they are adopted into a family that is troubled, unstable, and unhealthy then likelihood of
depression increased
The Active Child (2)
How do children shape their own development?
Are children passive beings waiting to be written upon or junior scientists actively exploring the
world?
Example: child trying to figure out why mommy doesn’t have blue eyes but daddy,
brothers/sisters and him do.
Continuity v. Discontinuity (3)
Continuous development: age-related, tree growing
gradual
Discontinued development: age-related. Changes include LARGE shifts--qualitative differences
(caterpillar, cocoon, butterfly)
Sudden
Stage Theories
Stage theories are approaches that propose that development involves a series of discontinuous,
age related phases
Mechanisms of Change/Development (4)
How does change occur?
Darwin’s theory of evolution
, Species originate and change through:
Variation: differences in thought and behavior within and among individuals *neurotransmitters*
Selection: more frequent survival and reproduction of organisms that are well adapted to their
environment
Sociocultural Context (5)
How sociocultural context influences development
Economic -- economic structure, more opportunities for women w young children to work
Historical -- years ago fewer children in the US attended child care centers that help w
development
Cultural -- technology
Physical --
Social
Individual Differences (6)
How do children become so different from one another?
Genes (born shy or have traits that lead them to being shy)
How children are treated by parents and others
Children’s reactions to other people
Children’s choice of environment (group to hang w)
Research in Children’s Welfare (7)
How can research promote a child’s well-being
Example: a research method known as preferential looking has enabled the diagnosis of the
effects of cataracts in infants as young as to months of age.
Have them pick which pic they like blank OR patterns - patterns would b the answer but if they
don’t pick that then they may have a vision problem
Chapter 1: Introduction to Child Development
Reasoning to Learn About Child Development
Learning child development is important for raising children, choosing social policies, and
understanding human nature.
Historical Foundations of the Study of Child Development
Plato
Plato believed long term welfare of child depends on their upbringing and how raised
Also believed children were born knowing things, innate (nature)
Aristotle
Aristotle believed children’s knowledge is acquired through experience (nurture)
Rosseau
Rosseau believed children learned from interactions with the world (nurture)
Children should be given maximum freedom w/ formal education until age 12
Locke
Locke believed children shouldn’t be indulged at early age and should be shown discipline.
Children were blank canvases and parents must provide good example of honesty and such
Themes of Child Development (7)
Nature v. Nurture (1)
Before it used to be “is it nature OR is it nurture”
Now, we are trying to see HOW nature and nurture interact to shape developmental process?
Nature - biological endowment
,Nurture - environments, both physical and social, that influence our development
Example: adopted child, may have predisposition to develop depression bc their parents have
mental illnesses
However if they are adopted into a home that is stable, secure, and healthy then likelihood of
developing depression may be decreased
But if they are adopted into a family that is troubled, unstable, and unhealthy then likelihood of
depression increased
The Active Child (2)
How do children shape their own development?
Are children passive beings waiting to be written upon or junior scientists actively exploring the
world?
Example: child trying to figure out why mommy doesn’t have blue eyes but daddy,
brothers/sisters and him do.
Continuity v. Discontinuity (3)
Continuous development: age-related, tree growing
gradual
Discontinued development: age-related. Changes include LARGE shifts--qualitative differences
(caterpillar, cocoon, butterfly)
Sudden
Stage Theories
Stage theories are approaches that propose that development involves a series of discontinuous,
age related phases
Mechanisms of Change/Development (4)
How does change occur?
Darwin’s theory of evolution
, Species originate and change through:
Variation: differences in thought and behavior within and among individuals *neurotransmitters*
Selection: more frequent survival and reproduction of organisms that are well adapted to their
environment
Sociocultural Context (5)
How sociocultural context influences development
Economic -- economic structure, more opportunities for women w young children to work
Historical -- years ago fewer children in the US attended child care centers that help w
development
Cultural -- technology
Physical --
Social
Individual Differences (6)
How do children become so different from one another?
Genes (born shy or have traits that lead them to being shy)
How children are treated by parents and others
Children’s reactions to other people
Children’s choice of environment (group to hang w)
Research in Children’s Welfare (7)
How can research promote a child’s well-being
Example: a research method known as preferential looking has enabled the diagnosis of the
effects of cataracts in infants as young as to months of age.
Have them pick which pic they like blank OR patterns - patterns would b the answer but if they
don’t pick that then they may have a vision problem
