Chapter 1 Science of Child Development Science of Child Development- Study of all aspects of growth from conception to young adulthood.

od. Three broad domains of development: Physical Growth of body, physiological functioning Cognitive development Perception, language, learning, memory Psychosocial development Personality traits, interpersonal skills and relationships, emotions

Progression toward a New Science of Child Development mid 1700s: Children viewed as miniature adults -adapt adult roles (factory work), prosecuted for crimes (industrial Revolution at its height) 1800s: Concept of childhood emerged -time of innocence, need protection, education Late 1800s: Adolescence becomes distinct phase

Developmental Psychology: The Early Years Late 19th Century/Early 20th Century: 1st scientific studies in field Baby Biographers: Charles Darwin Power of observation (studied growth/development of own children) Believed: Process of natural selection creates traits in a species that are adaptive to their environment. (contribute to survival)

Founder of Developmental Psychology: G. Stanley Hall Studies examining childrens belief Started 1st scientific journal of child development in English 1st President of American Psychological Association (APA)

YOU CAN JOIN SRCD (also: APS, or APA) ! Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) founded in 1933. -Very multidisciplinary (anthropology, education, medicine, biology) -Common goal: Promoting childrens welfare and development through research Applied Developmental Science Promoting healthy development via developmental research Influencing policy decisions Advocating for children Evaluating government policy Devising programs to help

Theories of Child Development Theory: - Ideas proposed to describe/explain/predict behavior Organizes facts/observations GOOD THEORY: Should be internally consistent Falsifiable: hypotheses can be tested Supported by data Guides formation of testable hypotheses and collection of new data

We will consider 5 major theoretical perspectives: (will go over all 5 below) 1. Biological Perspective Maturational theory: development reflects the natural unfolding of a pre-arranged biological plan (Gesell) What types of behaviors unfold on their own? -Why discarded? -Too little emphasis on environmental influences Speech, play, reasoning

In ethological theory, many behaviors are viewed as adaptive because they have survival value Examples: Clinging, grasping, crying

Stresses environmental influences more Some pre-programmed behaviors need to be triggered!

Ethological Theory of Attachment: Konrad Lorenz studied imprinting in animals, the rapid, innate learning that takes place during a critical period and involves attachment to the first moving object observed. -Humans: Sensitive period for attachment 2. Psychodynamic Perspective Development is determined by how a child resolves conflicts at different ages Freud: Viennese physician: 1856-1939 Curing patients of mental illness/emotional disturbance by having them talk about painful events of their childhoods Believed people are driven by unconscious motives, and emotional conflicts

Personality Structure: Id: Strives to satisfy basic instincts and drives From birth, operates on pleasure principle, demanding immediate gratification of needs and wants Impulsive, irrational part of the personality

Ego: rational and reasonable part of personality From infancy, operates on reality principle; satisfying ids desires in ways that will realistically bring pleasure

Superego: moral agent part of personality From preschool, child learns how they should behave Learn right from wrong

Strengths/Weaknesses of Psychodynamic Theory Strengths Emphasized importance of early experience on childs development Children experience conflict between what they want to do/ should do.

Weaknesses Ambiguous, inconsistent, not testable

Erikson (neo-Freudian; 1902-1994) Focused more on social influences More positive/adaptive view of human nature

Stages of psychosocial development are defined by a unique challenge Earlier stages provide foundation for later stages

Eriksons first 5 stages of psychosocial development 1) Basic trust vs. mistrust (0-1yr) -develop sense that the world is safe 2) Autonomy vs. shame & doubt (1-3 yrs) -realize one is an independent problem solver 3) Initiative vs. guilt (3-6 yrs) -develop willingness to try new things/ deal with failure 4) Industry vs. inferiority (6 yrs to adolescence) -learn basic skills and cooperation with others 5) Identity vs. identity confusion (adolescence) -develop lasting, integrated sense of self Strengths and Weaknesses of Erikson Strengths Emphasis on our rational and adaptive nature Interaction of biological & social influences Focus on identity crisis of adolescence still most relevant

Weaknesses Sometimes vague and difficult to test Describes but does not explain how development comes about

3. Learning Perspective Emphasized the importance of experience in development John Locke -born with tabula rasa (blank slate) & experience then molds the individual John Watson (1878-1958) Learning determines our course!...

Learning Perspective: Behaviorism Conclusions should be based on observable behavior: Little Albert Experiment. Before Classical Conditioning: White Rat Babys emotion (No Fear)

Fears are learned (not inborn)

Neutral stimulus Loud sound from hammer Babys emotion (fear) Unconditioned stimulus UCS: built-in unlearned stimulus Acquisition Phase: White Rat + Loud sound from hammer UCS Babys emotion UCR Unconditioned response UCR: automatic, unlearned response

Neutral Stimulus

After Classical Conditioning: _______________________ Conditioned Stimulus CS: _____________________ Conditioned Response CR:

Generalization

B.F. Skinner studied operant conditioning Our behavior is strengthened if good things result, diminished if bad things result. Positive Reinforcement Pleasant consequence Child cleans dishes, gets stickers, behavior strengthened Negative Reinforcement Negative stimulus is removed *not a punishment* Child cleans room, doesnt have to wash car, behavior strengthened Punishment (opposite of reinforcement) Unpleasant, aversive Child lies, gets grounded or no TV, lying diminishes Bandura: Social Cognitive Theory Children can learn by observing others (imitation or observing others) Children are actively trying to understand their surroundings, which includes others. Banduras Experiments (VIDEO #11) Children imitate what a model says and does & use novel aggressive acts and language Modeling aggression (BOBO DOLL)

Learning Theory: Strengths & Weaknesses Strengths Precise and testable theory Carefully controlled experiments

Weaknesses Too little emphasis on genetics and maturational processes

4. Cognitive-Developmental Perspective Development reflects childrens efforts to understand the world Jean Piaget (1896-1980) *Highly Influential, Swiss scholar Developed a four-stage sequence that characterizes childrens changing understanding of the world - Believed children are active thinkers, attempting to construct an understanding of the world. (more later in Ch6) Development: determined by immediate & distant environments, which typically influence each other Vygotsky (1896-1934)

Russian psychologist Believed adults convey to children the beliefs, customs, and skills of their culture Children develop problem-solving skills via interaction with skilled others. (more later in Ch6)

Bronfenbrenners Theory Developing child is embedded in a series of complex and interactive systems

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