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