SlideShare una empresa de Scribd logo
1 de 18
Copyright © 2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.
Module 37: Nature and
Nurture
D. Berry/PhotoLink/Getty Images
-Both nature and nurture interact to
produce specific developmental patterns
and outcomes.
-How and to what degree do
environmental and heredity both
produce their effects?
MODULE 37
Copyright © 2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.
Developmental
Psychology
Developmental Psychology
The branch of psychology that
studies the patterns of growth
and change occurring throughout
life
SW Productions/Getty Images
MODULE 37
Copyright © 2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.
Nature and Nurture:
The Enduring
Developmental Issue
 Nature – Nurture issue
– The issue of the degree to which environment
and heredity influence behavior.
MODULE 37
Copyright © 2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.
Nature and Nurture:
The Enduring
Developmental Issue
 Hereditary
Influences
based on the
genetic
makeup of an
individual that
influence
growth and
development
throughout life
 Environment
(NURTURE)
The influence of parents,
siblings, family, friends,
schooling, nutrition, and
all other experiences in
which a child is exposed
PhotoLink/Getty Images
© Getty Images/RF
MODULE 37
Copyright © 2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.
Nature and
Nurture
MODULE 37
Copyright © 2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.
Strategies for Studying
Development
 Determining the
relative influence of
nature and nurture
Study of identical
twins (those who are
genetically identical)
Royalty-Free/CORBIS
MODULE 37
Copyright © 2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.
Specific Research
Approaches
 Cross-sectional research
People of different ages are compared at the
same point in time
 Longitudinal research
Behavior of one or more participants is traced
as the participants age
 Cross-sequential research
Combines above by taking a number of
different age groups and examining them over
several points in time
MODULE 37
MEMORY
MODULE 37
Chapter 5 MEMORY :
 Module 1: The foundations of
memory
 Module 2: Recalling long term
memories
 Module 3: Forgetting: When
memory fails or why we forget?
MODULE 37
Content :
 What is memory?
 Three – stage model of memory
 Three types of memory: SM, STM, LTM
 Recalling long term memories
 Why do we forget?
 How can you improve your memory?
 References
MODULE 37
What is
memory?
Memory - is the process by which we
encode , store , and retrieve
information.
MODULE 37 Encoding-initial recording of
information / converting
information into useable form
Storage-information
saved for future use.
Retriever- recovery of
stored information.
Memory is built on three basic processes:
MODULE 37
Three-stage model of memory
MODULE 37
Types of memory
1.Sensory: Storing an exact copy of incoming information for less than
a second; the first stage of memory
2.Short Term memory: second stage of memory; stores small
amounts of information briefly; very sensitive to interruption or
interference (7 -+ bits)
3.Long term memory: Storing information relatively permanently
• Stored on basis of meaning and importance
MODULE 37
Sensory memory
Sensory memory – The initial momentary storage of
information lasting only an instant.
Types of sensory memory:
•Iconic memory
•Echoic memory
MODULE 37
Short-term memory
Short-term memory -is the capacity for
holding a small amount of information in
mind in an active, readily available state for
a short period of time. 15 to 25 sec
Short-term memory lasts from a few
seconds to a minute.
MODULE 37
Long-term memory
Long Term Memory -contains information that you have
recorded in your brain in the past.
Long-term memory can last as little as a few days or as long as
decades
Long-term memory modules :
-Declarative memory
*Semantic memory
*Episodic memory
-Procedural memory
MODULE 37
Types of memory
•Declarative memory: memory for factual information e.g. names,
faces, dates, and the like.
•Procedural memory: Memory for skills and habits, such as riding
a bike or hitting a shot.
•Semantic memory: Memory for general knowledge and facts
about the world, as well as memory for the rules of logic that are
used to deduce other facts.
•Episodic memory: Memory for events that occur in a particular
time, place, or context. (personal knowledge)

Más contenido relacionado

La actualidad más candente

Sensation and Perception
Sensation and PerceptionSensation and Perception
Sensation and Perception
ARUL LAWRENCE
 
Attention
Attention Attention
Attention
gsjus
 
Developmental psychology nature
Developmental psychology natureDevelopmental psychology nature
Developmental psychology nature
Mehreen Khan
 

La actualidad más candente (20)

Chapter 3 (nature and nurture)
Chapter 3 (nature and nurture)Chapter 3 (nature and nurture)
Chapter 3 (nature and nurture)
 
Attention in cognitive Psychology
Attention in cognitive PsychologyAttention in cognitive Psychology
Attention in cognitive Psychology
 
Introductory Psychology: Adolescence
Introductory Psychology: AdolescenceIntroductory Psychology: Adolescence
Introductory Psychology: Adolescence
 
George Kelly (Psychology)
George Kelly (Psychology)George Kelly (Psychology)
George Kelly (Psychology)
 
Attachment theories Bowlby Ainsworth
Attachment theories Bowlby AinsworthAttachment theories Bowlby Ainsworth
Attachment theories Bowlby Ainsworth
 
Cognitive psychology introduction
Cognitive psychology   introductionCognitive psychology   introduction
Cognitive psychology introduction
 
Cognitive developmental theory Jean Piaget
Cognitive developmental theory Jean PiagetCognitive developmental theory Jean Piaget
Cognitive developmental theory Jean Piaget
 
Biopsychology e-book.pdf
Biopsychology e-book.pdfBiopsychology e-book.pdf
Biopsychology e-book.pdf
 
Social cognitive theory
Social cognitive theorySocial cognitive theory
Social cognitive theory
 
Gordon allport psychology of individual
Gordon allport psychology of individualGordon allport psychology of individual
Gordon allport psychology of individual
 
Sensation and Perception
Sensation and PerceptionSensation and Perception
Sensation and Perception
 
Attention
Attention Attention
Attention
 
Working memory
Working memoryWorking memory
Working memory
 
Nature vs nurture
Nature vs nurtureNature vs nurture
Nature vs nurture
 
Hull's Theory of Learning
Hull's Theory of LearningHull's Theory of Learning
Hull's Theory of Learning
 
Developmental psychology nature
Developmental psychology natureDevelopmental psychology nature
Developmental psychology nature
 
Socio emotional development of infants and toddlers
Socio emotional development of infants and toddlersSocio emotional development of infants and toddlers
Socio emotional development of infants and toddlers
 
psychological perspectives
psychological perspectivespsychological perspectives
psychological perspectives
 
CHILD DEVELOPMENT
CHILD DEVELOPMENTCHILD DEVELOPMENT
CHILD DEVELOPMENT
 
Sensation
SensationSensation
Sensation
 

Destacado

Nature V. Nurture
Nature V. NurtureNature V. Nurture
Nature V. Nurture
zmiers
 
nature VS nurture
nature VS nurturenature VS nurture
nature VS nurture
Oscar Ririn
 
Power Point Literature Review Nature Vs. Nurture
Power Point Literature Review Nature Vs. NurturePower Point Literature Review Nature Vs. Nurture
Power Point Literature Review Nature Vs. Nurture
latanyabass
 
TOK Presentation-Nature or Nurture
TOK Presentation-Nature or NurtureTOK Presentation-Nature or Nurture
TOK Presentation-Nature or Nurture
Andreas Grafe
 

Destacado (20)

Nature vs. nurture
Nature vs. nurtureNature vs. nurture
Nature vs. nurture
 
NATURE VS. NURTURE
NATURE VS. NURTURENATURE VS. NURTURE
NATURE VS. NURTURE
 
Nature V. Nurture
Nature V. NurtureNature V. Nurture
Nature V. Nurture
 
Nature vs nurture Debate
Nature vs nurture DebateNature vs nurture Debate
Nature vs nurture Debate
 
nature VS nurture
nature VS nurturenature VS nurture
nature VS nurture
 
Nature vs Nurture Continued
Nature vs Nurture ContinuedNature vs Nurture Continued
Nature vs Nurture Continued
 
Nature vs. nurture
Nature vs. nurtureNature vs. nurture
Nature vs. nurture
 
Power Point Literature Review Nature Vs. Nurture
Power Point Literature Review Nature Vs. NurturePower Point Literature Review Nature Vs. Nurture
Power Point Literature Review Nature Vs. Nurture
 
Philosophy
PhilosophyPhilosophy
Philosophy
 
Nature vs nurture essay example
Nature vs nurture essay exampleNature vs nurture essay example
Nature vs nurture essay example
 
Powerpoint Ch 2
Powerpoint  Ch 2Powerpoint  Ch 2
Powerpoint Ch 2
 
Berger Ls 7e Ch 12
Berger Ls 7e  Ch 12Berger Ls 7e  Ch 12
Berger Ls 7e Ch 12
 
Schizoid personality disorder
Schizoid personality disorderSchizoid personality disorder
Schizoid personality disorder
 
Ch3 ppt
Ch3 pptCh3 ppt
Ch3 ppt
 
TOK Presentation-Nature or Nurture
TOK Presentation-Nature or NurtureTOK Presentation-Nature or Nurture
TOK Presentation-Nature or Nurture
 
How to write a nature vs nurture essay
How to write a nature vs nurture essayHow to write a nature vs nurture essay
How to write a nature vs nurture essay
 
Nature vs Nurture
Nature vs NurtureNature vs Nurture
Nature vs Nurture
 
: Islamic Ethics Human behaviour interaction between nature and nurture
: Islamic Ethics Human behaviour interaction between nature and nurture: Islamic Ethics Human behaviour interaction between nature and nurture
: Islamic Ethics Human behaviour interaction between nature and nurture
 
Fhsppt final 22
Fhsppt final 22Fhsppt final 22
Fhsppt final 22
 
Nature vs nurture
Nature vs nurtureNature vs nurture
Nature vs nurture
 

Similar a Nature and Nurture..

Information processing prez
Information processing prezInformation processing prez
Information processing prez
mikehartastic
 
fy10_sh-20856-10_TT05_ADDIE_Development.ppt
fy10_sh-20856-10_TT05_ADDIE_Development.pptfy10_sh-20856-10_TT05_ADDIE_Development.ppt
fy10_sh-20856-10_TT05_ADDIE_Development.ppt
ilkimenhg
 
Fall 2013 PSY 263 401 CHAPTER 8
Fall 2013 PSY 263 401 CHAPTER 8Fall 2013 PSY 263 401 CHAPTER 8
Fall 2013 PSY 263 401 CHAPTER 8
kimappel
 

Similar a Nature and Nurture.. (20)

Memory and Cognition: Encoding and Storage.pptx
Memory and Cognition: Encoding and Storage.pptxMemory and Cognition: Encoding and Storage.pptx
Memory and Cognition: Encoding and Storage.pptx
 
MeMorY human Behaviour
MeMorY human BehaviourMeMorY human Behaviour
MeMorY human Behaviour
 
1 informationprocessing
1 informationprocessing1 informationprocessing
1 informationprocessing
 
Chapter06
Chapter06Chapter06
Chapter06
 
Information processing prez
Information processing prezInformation processing prez
Information processing prez
 
Facilitating learning
Facilitating learningFacilitating learning
Facilitating learning
 
Week 11 - Memory
Week 11 - MemoryWeek 11 - Memory
Week 11 - Memory
 
Models of teaching
Models of teachingModels of teaching
Models of teaching
 
PART 3_facilitate_Eric and others-1-1_011205.pptx
PART 3_facilitate_Eric and others-1-1_011205.pptxPART 3_facilitate_Eric and others-1-1_011205.pptx
PART 3_facilitate_Eric and others-1-1_011205.pptx
 
fy10_sh-20856-10_TT05_ADDIE_Development.ppt
fy10_sh-20856-10_TT05_ADDIE_Development.pptfy10_sh-20856-10_TT05_ADDIE_Development.ppt
fy10_sh-20856-10_TT05_ADDIE_Development.ppt
 
fy10_sh-20856-10_TT05_ADDIE_Development.ppt
fy10_sh-20856-10_TT05_ADDIE_Development.pptfy10_sh-20856-10_TT05_ADDIE_Development.ppt
fy10_sh-20856-10_TT05_ADDIE_Development.ppt
 
memory and knowledge
memory and knowledge memory and knowledge
memory and knowledge
 
Ch 6 Long Term memory.ppt
Ch 6 Long Term memory.pptCh 6 Long Term memory.ppt
Ch 6 Long Term memory.ppt
 
Memory oct 30
Memory oct 30Memory oct 30
Memory oct 30
 
psychological influences on consumer behaviour ppt
psychological influences on consumer behaviour pptpsychological influences on consumer behaviour ppt
psychological influences on consumer behaviour ppt
 
Basics of Content Chunking
Basics of Content ChunkingBasics of Content Chunking
Basics of Content Chunking
 
MEMORY
MEMORYMEMORY
MEMORY
 
Fall 2013 PSY 263 401 CHAPTER 8
Fall 2013 PSY 263 401 CHAPTER 8Fall 2013 PSY 263 401 CHAPTER 8
Fall 2013 PSY 263 401 CHAPTER 8
 
Information Processing Theory(IPT)
Information Processing Theory(IPT)Information Processing Theory(IPT)
Information Processing Theory(IPT)
 
ipt-171021102053.pdf
ipt-171021102053.pdfipt-171021102053.pdf
ipt-171021102053.pdf
 

Más de Shahi Raz Akhtar

Más de Shahi Raz Akhtar (20)

shining wining.pptx
shining wining.pptxshining wining.pptx
shining wining.pptx
 
Perfect Fitness gYm.pptx
Perfect Fitness gYm.pptxPerfect Fitness gYm.pptx
Perfect Fitness gYm.pptx
 
Mr. Student Café...docx
Mr. Student Café...docxMr. Student Café...docx
Mr. Student Café...docx
 
Optional and standard parts
Optional and standard partsOptional and standard parts
Optional and standard parts
 
Introduction to Management
Introduction to ManagementIntroduction to Management
Introduction to Management
 
Planning compiled
Planning compiledPlanning compiled
Planning compiled
 
History of mgt compiled
History of mgt compiledHistory of mgt compiled
History of mgt compiled
 
Taxation history of pakistan
Taxation history of pakistanTaxation history of pakistan
Taxation history of pakistan
 
Capital structure
Capital structureCapital structure
Capital structure
 
Positioning of product
Positioning of productPositioning of product
Positioning of product
 
Research design
Research designResearch design
Research design
 
Business research methods lecture3
Business research methods lecture3Business research methods lecture3
Business research methods lecture3
 
Partnership deed
Partnership deedPartnership deed
Partnership deed
 
Financial accounting
Financial accountingFinancial accounting
Financial accounting
 
management information-system
management information-systemmanagement information-system
management information-system
 
Advantages of mis
Advantages of misAdvantages of mis
Advantages of mis
 
Presentation MIS
Presentation MISPresentation MIS
Presentation MIS
 
Planning compiled
Planning compiledPlanning compiled
Planning compiled
 
History of mgt compiled
History of mgt compiledHistory of mgt compiled
History of mgt compiled
 
Mbo compiled
Mbo compiledMbo compiled
Mbo compiled
 

Último

The basics of sentences session 3pptx.pptx
The basics of sentences session 3pptx.pptxThe basics of sentences session 3pptx.pptx
The basics of sentences session 3pptx.pptx
heathfieldcps1
 

Último (20)

ICT role in 21st century education and it's challenges.
ICT role in 21st century education and it's challenges.ICT role in 21st century education and it's challenges.
ICT role in 21st century education and it's challenges.
 
On National Teacher Day, meet the 2024-25 Kenan Fellows
On National Teacher Day, meet the 2024-25 Kenan FellowsOn National Teacher Day, meet the 2024-25 Kenan Fellows
On National Teacher Day, meet the 2024-25 Kenan Fellows
 
HMCS Max Bernays Pre-Deployment Brief (May 2024).pptx
HMCS Max Bernays Pre-Deployment Brief (May 2024).pptxHMCS Max Bernays Pre-Deployment Brief (May 2024).pptx
HMCS Max Bernays Pre-Deployment Brief (May 2024).pptx
 
NO1 Top Black Magic Specialist In Lahore Black magic In Pakistan Kala Ilam Ex...
NO1 Top Black Magic Specialist In Lahore Black magic In Pakistan Kala Ilam Ex...NO1 Top Black Magic Specialist In Lahore Black magic In Pakistan Kala Ilam Ex...
NO1 Top Black Magic Specialist In Lahore Black magic In Pakistan Kala Ilam Ex...
 
How to Give a Domain for a Field in Odoo 17
How to Give a Domain for a Field in Odoo 17How to Give a Domain for a Field in Odoo 17
How to Give a Domain for a Field in Odoo 17
 
Sensory_Experience_and_Emotional_Resonance_in_Gabriel_Okaras_The_Piano_and_Th...
Sensory_Experience_and_Emotional_Resonance_in_Gabriel_Okaras_The_Piano_and_Th...Sensory_Experience_and_Emotional_Resonance_in_Gabriel_Okaras_The_Piano_and_Th...
Sensory_Experience_and_Emotional_Resonance_in_Gabriel_Okaras_The_Piano_and_Th...
 
Graduate Outcomes Presentation Slides - English
Graduate Outcomes Presentation Slides - EnglishGraduate Outcomes Presentation Slides - English
Graduate Outcomes Presentation Slides - English
 
Kodo Millet PPT made by Ghanshyam bairwa college of Agriculture kumher bhara...
Kodo Millet  PPT made by Ghanshyam bairwa college of Agriculture kumher bhara...Kodo Millet  PPT made by Ghanshyam bairwa college of Agriculture kumher bhara...
Kodo Millet PPT made by Ghanshyam bairwa college of Agriculture kumher bhara...
 
The basics of sentences session 3pptx.pptx
The basics of sentences session 3pptx.pptxThe basics of sentences session 3pptx.pptx
The basics of sentences session 3pptx.pptx
 
Accessible Digital Futures project (20/03/2024)
Accessible Digital Futures project (20/03/2024)Accessible Digital Futures project (20/03/2024)
Accessible Digital Futures project (20/03/2024)
 
HMCS Vancouver Pre-Deployment Brief - May 2024 (Web Version).pptx
HMCS Vancouver Pre-Deployment Brief - May 2024 (Web Version).pptxHMCS Vancouver Pre-Deployment Brief - May 2024 (Web Version).pptx
HMCS Vancouver Pre-Deployment Brief - May 2024 (Web Version).pptx
 
Sociology 101 Demonstration of Learning Exhibit
Sociology 101 Demonstration of Learning ExhibitSociology 101 Demonstration of Learning Exhibit
Sociology 101 Demonstration of Learning Exhibit
 
Wellbeing inclusion and digital dystopias.pptx
Wellbeing inclusion and digital dystopias.pptxWellbeing inclusion and digital dystopias.pptx
Wellbeing inclusion and digital dystopias.pptx
 
Understanding Accommodations and Modifications
Understanding  Accommodations and ModificationsUnderstanding  Accommodations and Modifications
Understanding Accommodations and Modifications
 
Python Notes for mca i year students osmania university.docx
Python Notes for mca i year students osmania university.docxPython Notes for mca i year students osmania university.docx
Python Notes for mca i year students osmania university.docx
 
How to Add New Custom Addons Path in Odoo 17
How to Add New Custom Addons Path in Odoo 17How to Add New Custom Addons Path in Odoo 17
How to Add New Custom Addons Path in Odoo 17
 
REMIFENTANIL: An Ultra short acting opioid.pptx
REMIFENTANIL: An Ultra short acting opioid.pptxREMIFENTANIL: An Ultra short acting opioid.pptx
REMIFENTANIL: An Ultra short acting opioid.pptx
 
General Principles of Intellectual Property: Concepts of Intellectual Proper...
General Principles of Intellectual Property: Concepts of Intellectual  Proper...General Principles of Intellectual Property: Concepts of Intellectual  Proper...
General Principles of Intellectual Property: Concepts of Intellectual Proper...
 
Food safety_Challenges food safety laboratories_.pdf
Food safety_Challenges food safety laboratories_.pdfFood safety_Challenges food safety laboratories_.pdf
Food safety_Challenges food safety laboratories_.pdf
 
Google Gemini An AI Revolution in Education.pptx
Google Gemini An AI Revolution in Education.pptxGoogle Gemini An AI Revolution in Education.pptx
Google Gemini An AI Revolution in Education.pptx
 

Nature and Nurture..

  • 1. Copyright © 2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display. Module 37: Nature and Nurture D. Berry/PhotoLink/Getty Images -Both nature and nurture interact to produce specific developmental patterns and outcomes. -How and to what degree do environmental and heredity both produce their effects?
  • 2. MODULE 37 Copyright © 2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display. Developmental Psychology Developmental Psychology The branch of psychology that studies the patterns of growth and change occurring throughout life SW Productions/Getty Images
  • 3. MODULE 37 Copyright © 2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display. Nature and Nurture: The Enduring Developmental Issue  Nature – Nurture issue – The issue of the degree to which environment and heredity influence behavior.
  • 4. MODULE 37 Copyright © 2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display. Nature and Nurture: The Enduring Developmental Issue  Hereditary Influences based on the genetic makeup of an individual that influence growth and development throughout life  Environment (NURTURE) The influence of parents, siblings, family, friends, schooling, nutrition, and all other experiences in which a child is exposed PhotoLink/Getty Images © Getty Images/RF
  • 5. MODULE 37 Copyright © 2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display. Nature and Nurture
  • 6. MODULE 37 Copyright © 2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display. Strategies for Studying Development  Determining the relative influence of nature and nurture Study of identical twins (those who are genetically identical) Royalty-Free/CORBIS
  • 7. MODULE 37 Copyright © 2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display. Specific Research Approaches  Cross-sectional research People of different ages are compared at the same point in time  Longitudinal research Behavior of one or more participants is traced as the participants age  Cross-sequential research Combines above by taking a number of different age groups and examining them over several points in time
  • 9. MODULE 37 Chapter 5 MEMORY :  Module 1: The foundations of memory  Module 2: Recalling long term memories  Module 3: Forgetting: When memory fails or why we forget?
  • 10. MODULE 37 Content :  What is memory?  Three – stage model of memory  Three types of memory: SM, STM, LTM  Recalling long term memories  Why do we forget?  How can you improve your memory?  References
  • 11. MODULE 37 What is memory? Memory - is the process by which we encode , store , and retrieve information.
  • 12. MODULE 37 Encoding-initial recording of information / converting information into useable form Storage-information saved for future use. Retriever- recovery of stored information. Memory is built on three basic processes:
  • 14. MODULE 37 Types of memory 1.Sensory: Storing an exact copy of incoming information for less than a second; the first stage of memory 2.Short Term memory: second stage of memory; stores small amounts of information briefly; very sensitive to interruption or interference (7 -+ bits) 3.Long term memory: Storing information relatively permanently • Stored on basis of meaning and importance
  • 15. MODULE 37 Sensory memory Sensory memory – The initial momentary storage of information lasting only an instant. Types of sensory memory: •Iconic memory •Echoic memory
  • 16. MODULE 37 Short-term memory Short-term memory -is the capacity for holding a small amount of information in mind in an active, readily available state for a short period of time. 15 to 25 sec Short-term memory lasts from a few seconds to a minute.
  • 17. MODULE 37 Long-term memory Long Term Memory -contains information that you have recorded in your brain in the past. Long-term memory can last as little as a few days or as long as decades Long-term memory modules : -Declarative memory *Semantic memory *Episodic memory -Procedural memory
  • 18. MODULE 37 Types of memory •Declarative memory: memory for factual information e.g. names, faces, dates, and the like. •Procedural memory: Memory for skills and habits, such as riding a bike or hitting a shot. •Semantic memory: Memory for general knowledge and facts about the world, as well as memory for the rules of logic that are used to deduce other facts. •Episodic memory: Memory for events that occur in a particular time, place, or context. (personal knowledge)

Notas del editor

  1. developmental psychology, the branch of psychology that studies the patterns of growth and change occurring throughout life. In large part, developmental psychologists study the interaction between the unfolding of biologically predetermined patterns of behavior and a constantly changing, dynamic environment. They ask how our genetic background affects our behavior throughout our lives and whether our potential is limited by heredity. Similarly, they are committed to understanding the way in which the environment works with—or against—our genetic capabilities, how the world we live in affects our development, and how we can be encouraged to reach our full potential. More than other psychologists, developmental psychologists consider the day-to-day patterns and changes in behavior that occur across the life span. This chapter focuses on the early part of the life cycle, beginning with conception, moving through birth and infancy, and ending with childhood. The following chapter explores aspects of development during the remainder of the life cycle from adolescence to adulthood, and finally to old age and death.
  2. The similarities we see in twins Gerald Levey and Mark Newman vividly raise one of the fundamental questions posed by developmental psychologists: How can we distinguish between the causes of behavior that are environmental (the influence of parents, siblings, family, friends, schooling, nutrition, and all the other experiences to which a child is exposed) and those causes that are hereditary (those based on the genetic makeup of an individual that influence growth and development throughout life)? This question, which we explored when we considered intelligence in Chapter 9, is known as the nature–nurture issue . In this context, nature refers to hereditary factors, and nurture to environmental influences. Although the question was first posed as a nature- versus -nurture issue, developmental psychologists today agree that both nature and nurture interact to produce specific developmental patterns and outcomes. Consequently, the question has evolved to how and to what degree environment and heredity both produce their effects. No one grows up free of environmental influences, nor does anyone develop without being affected by his or her inherited genetic makeup . However, the debate over the comparative influence of the two factors remains active, with different approaches and theories of development emphasizing the environment or heredity to a greater or lesser degree (Scarr, 1996; Saudino, 1997; de Waal, 1999).
  3. The similarities we see in twins Gerald Levey and Mark Newman vividly raise one of the fundamental questions posed by developmental psychologists: How can we distinguish between the causes of behavior that are environmental (the influence of parents, siblings, family, friends, schooling, nutrition, and all the other experiences to which a child is exposed) and those causes that are hereditary (those based on the genetic makeup of an individual that influence growth and development throughout life)? This question, which we explored when we considered intelligence in Chapter 9, is known as the nature–nurture issue . In this context, nature refers to hereditary factors, and nurture to environmental influences. Although the question was first posed as a nature- versus -nurture issue, developmental psychologists today agree that both nature and nurture interact to produce specific developmental patterns and outcomes. Consequently, the question has evolved to how and to what degree environment and heredity both produce their effects. No one grows up free of environmental influences, nor does anyone develop without being affected by his or her inherited genetic makeup . However, the debate over the comparative influence of the two factors remains active, with different approaches and theories of development emphasizing the environment or heredity to a greater or lesser degree (Scarr, 1996; Saudino, 1997; de Waal, 1999).
  4. For example, some developmental theories stress the role of learning in producing changes in behavior in the developing child, relying on the basic principles of learning discussed in Chapter 6. Such theories emphasize the role of environment in accounting for development. In contrast, other approaches emphasize the influence of one’s physiological makeup and functioning on development. Such theories stress the role of heredity and maturation— the unfolding of biologically predetermined patterns of behavior—in producing developmental change. Maturation can be seen, for instance, in the development of sex characteristics (such as breasts or body hair) that occurs at the start of adolescence. Furthermore, developmental psychologists have been influenced by the work of behavioral geneticists, who study the effects of heredity on behavior, and the theories of evolutionary psychologists, whose goal is to identify behavior patterns that are a result of our genetic inheritance from our ancestors. Both behavioral geneticists and evolutionary psychologists have highlighted the importance of heredity in influencing our behavior (Bjorklund, 1997). On some points, however, agreement exists among developmental psychologists of different theoretical persuasions. It seems clear that genetic factors not only provide the potential for particular behaviors or traits to emerge, but also place limitations on the emergence of such behavior or traits. For instance, heredity defines people’s general level of intelligence, setting an upper limit which—regardless of the quality of the environment—people cannot exceed. Heredity also provides limits on physical abilities; humans simply cannot run at a speed of 60 miles an hour, nor will they grow as tall as 10 feet, no matter what the quality of their environment (Plomin, 1990; Plomin & McClearn, 1993; Steen, 1996).
  5. It is clear that the relationship between heredity and environment is far from simple. As a consequence, developmental psychologists typically take an interactionist position on the nature–nurture issue, suggesting that a combination of hereditary and environmental factors influences development. The challenge facing developmental psychologists is to identify the relative strength of each of these influences on the individual, as well as identifying the specific changes that occur over the course of development. Developmental psychologists use several approaches to determine the relative influence of genetic and environmental factors on behavior. Researchers can, for example, experimentally control the genetic makeup of laboratory animals by carefully breeding them for specific traits. For example, by observing animals with identical genetic backgrounds in varied environments, researchers can ascertain the effects of particular kinds of environmental stimulation. Although generalizing the findings of nonhuman research to a human population must be done with care, findings from animal research provide important information that could not be obtained, for ethical reasons, by using human participants. Human twins also serve as an important source of information about the relative effects of genetic and environmental factors. If identical twins (those who are genetically identical) display different patterns of development, such differences have to be attributed to variations in the environment in which the twins were raised. The most useful data come from identical twins (such as Gerald Levey and Mark Newman) who are adopted at birth by different sets of adoptive parents and raised apart in differing environments. Studies of non-twin siblings who are raised in totally different environments also shed some light on the issue. Because they share relatively similar genetic backgrounds, siblings who show similarities as adults provide strong evidence for the importance of heredity (Lykken et al., 1992; Gottesman, 1997; McClearn et al., 1997).
  6. In the most frequently used, cross-sectional research , people of different ages are compared at the same point in time. Cross-sectional studies provide information about differences in development between different age groups. Suppose, for instance, we were interested in the development of intellectual ability in adulthood. To carry out a cross-sectional study, we might compare a sample of 25-, 45-, and 65-year olds on an IQ test. We then can determine whether average IQ test scores differ in each age group. Cross-sectional research has limitations, however. For instance, we cannot be sure that the IQ score differences we might find in our example are due to age differences alone. Instead, they may reflect cohort differences in educational attainment. A cohort is a group of people who grow up at similar times, similar places, and under similar conditions. One way around the problem is to employ the second major research strategy used by developmental psychologists: a longitudinal study. In longitudinal research , the behavior of one or more participants is traced as the participants age. Longitudinal studies assess change in intellectual ability over time, unlike cross-sectional studies, which assess differences among groups of people. By examining changes over several points in time, we can clearly see how individuals develop. Unfortunately, longitudinal research requires an enormous expenditure of time (as the researcher waits for the participants to get older), and participants who begin a study at an early age may drop out, move away, or even die as the research continues. To make up for the limitations in cross-sectional and longitudinal research, investigators have devised an alternative strategy. Known as cross-sequential research , it combines cross-sectional and longitudinal approaches by taking a number of different age groups and examining them over several points in time. For example, investigators might use a group of 3-, 5-, and 7-year-olds, examining them every six months for a period of several years. This technique allows the developmental psychologist to tease out the effects of age changes themselves from other possibly influential factors.
  7. Impairment