TC Developmental
Psychology
Chapter 02 - Hereditary Influences on Development
A) It’s all about your
genes … not your jeans
1)
Fertilization,
or conception, is the process by which the sperm and the ovum (male and female gametes, or sex cells) combine to create
a single cell called a zygote.
a)
Interestingly,
when the sperm cell penetrates the lining of the ovum, a biochemical reaction
repels other sperm, thus preventing them from repeating the fertilization
process.
b)
The
single cell zygote contains a nucleus which contains 46 thread like bodies
called chromosomes, each of which
consists of thousand of chemical segments called genes. Genes are the basic units of heredity.
2)
The
zygote then duplicates itself again and again by cell division (mitosis) to become a baby.
a)
Fertilization
to 2 weeks old (Germinal Stage) = the
zygote divides, becomes more complex, and is implanted in the wall of the
uterus.
b)
2-8
weeks old (Embryonic Stage) = the
organs and major body systems develop rapidly … and the embryo is most
vulnerable to destructive forces.
c)
8
weeks to birth (Fetal Stage) = the
first bone cells appear and the fetus grows rapidly to about twenty times its
original length.
1-
Physical
growth and development follows the cephalocaudal
(top down) and proximodistal (inner to outer) principle.
3)
What
causes multiple births?
a)
Occasionally
a zygote will split into separate but identical cells, which then become two
individuals. These are called Monozygotic
(identical) twins.
b)
More
common are Dizygotic (fraternal) twins; pairs that result when the mother
releases two ova at the same time and each are fertilized by a different sperm.
4)
What
determines sex?
a)
The
hereditary basis for sex differences becomes quite clear if we examine the
chromosomes of “normal” men and women. They each possess 23 pairs of
chromosomes. 22 are similar in both males and females – these are called autosomes.
b)
It’s
the 23 pair that is distinct. These are called the “sex chromosomes.” [Diagram on board:
XX = Female / XY = Male]
1-
However!
There are about one in 20,000 males who have no “Y” chromosome and about the
same occurrence of females who possess an “Y” chromosome.
2- We
are thus realizing that sex should not simply be considered a product of our
chromosomes, but rather, a product of our total genetic makeup … and how
that genetic makeup develops over time.
c)
By
the way, I don’t know about you, but something has puzzled me for years, maybe
you can help me out on this … [Show slide: Why
do men have nipples?]
5) Dominant & Recessive Inheritance
a)
Group Activity: Do Trait Inventory
b)
Show slide:
Eye Color
6)
Sex
chromosome abnormalities
a)
See
Chart, P. 57
7)
Hereditary
Disorders
a)
See
Chart, P. 58
b)
Note
Ethnic aspect in Sickle-Cell (Af. Am) & Tay-Sachs (Jew)
c)
Genetic
Counseling/Testing
TC Developmental
Psychology
Chapter 03 – Prenatal Development & Birth
A) Prenatal Development
1)
Trimesters:
Chart, P. 96
2)
Teratogens
= any disease, drug, or environmental agent that can harm a developing embryo
or fetus.
a)
Diseases:
Chart, P. 100
b)
Substances:
Chart, P. 107
c)
Enviornmental:
P. 108
3)
Reducing
the likelihood of congenital disorders … P. 113
B) The Birth Process
1)
Stages
of Labor > 1st =
contractions/dialation
2nd
= delivery
3rd
= after-birth (placenta expelled)
2)
Assessing
the condition (APGAR Score) … P. 116
3)
Birthing
process/environment
4)
Post-partum
Depression
5)
Impact
of a new child (mother, father, siblings, extended family)
TC Developmental Psychology
Chapter 04 - Infancy
A) Sensation &
Perception
1)
Sensation: detection of
stimuli by the sensory receptors and transmission of this information to the
brain.
2)
Perception: the process by
which we categorize and interpret sensory input.
a)
Example: Looking at this wall … (sensation vs.
perception).
3)
Do
newborns perceive the world, or merely sense it?
4)
Research
methods used to study infant sensory and perceptual experiences include: [Small Groups]
a)
The
Preference Method (P. 138)
b)
The
Habituation Method (P. 138)
c)
The
Method of Evoked Potentials (P. 139)
d)
The
High-Amplitude Sucking Method (P. 139)
B) Newborns
1)
Reflexes: an involuntary and
automatic response to a stimulus.
a)
Example: Puff of air to the eye.
b)
Chart,
P. 133
2)
Sleep: patterns and
changes / SIDS.
3)
Crying: patterns and
changes
4)
Senses: summarized on P.
145 chart.
5)
Learning: a relatively
permanent change in behavior that results from experiences or practice.
a)
Infants
“learn” in four fundamental ways: [Small Groups]
1-
Habituation
(P. 155)
2-
Classical
Conditioning (P. 156)
3-
Operant
Conditioning (P. 157)
4-
Imitation
(P. 159)
