childhood

1. Childhood Module 23

3. Piaget�s theory of cognitive development Noticed that children made systematic errors when taking intelligence tests Asked them to describe their thought processes Discovered that they have their own logic Schemas (mental representations of world) Assimilation (fit information into schema) Accommodation (modify schema) Interaction with the environment changes the way children think � an active process

4. Stage theories of development Stage A developmental period that is defined by characteristic patterns of behavior Individuals progress through stages in a predetermined order Progress through stages is related to age Development is marked by dramatic, not gradual, changes in behavior

5. Sensorimotor Stage Birth to 2 years Learning about the world through interacting with it (touching, chewing) Object permanence Playing peek-a-boo Knowing objects exist even when out of sight Develops at around 6-8 months (maybe earlier depending on how it is tested) Linked to separation anxiety

6. Preoperational Stage 2 to 6 years Failure to understand conservation Physical quantities remain the same regardless of shape Centration--focus on one part of a problem Irreversibility--inability to reverse an action Egocentrism--inability to see another�s point of view A focus on the limitations of children�s abilities

7. Third and fourth stages of cognitive development Concrete operational (7 to 11) Gain reversibility and decentration Leads to mastery of conservation Gain ability to take perspective Can learn to add and subtract w/o counting Formal operational (11 and up) Beginning of abstract thought Deducing rules (even numbers + 1 = odd)

8. Evaluation of Piaget�s Theory Says nothing about individual differences Stage sequence ok; timetable varies Babies of 6 months show surprise when a hidden object disappears Technique doesn�t require them to move the obstructing object Preoperational children talk differently to babies than adults Also, all-or-none stages appears wrong Learn conservation of number before mass

9. Social Development Imprinting Ducks and geese instinctively follow mother Will imprint upon any moving object seen during a critical period of development Attachment Close bond between infant and caregiver Usually first attachment is to mother Preference for mother�s company occurs around 6-8 months

10. What produces attachment? Do babies attach to those who feed them or those who provide comfort? (Harlow) Separated infant monkeys from mother Two substitute mothers in cage One wire mesh with wooden head One covered in soft terry-cloth Both had nipples supplying milk Monkeys almost exclusively preferred terry-cloth mother, even when nipple was removed Premature babies do better with massage

11. Patterns of Attachment Strange situation paradigm Children play in room with mother Mother leaves Mother returns Secure attachment Happy exploration, distressed, easily calmed Facilitated by maternal sensitivity and responsiveness to needs

12. Insecure Attachment Anxious-ambivalent attachment Anxious, distressed, anger or indifference and not comforted Avoidant attachment No contact, no distress, ignore return Insecure attachments are more likely with babies that have a difficult temperament

13. Day-care and development Does day-care affect development? Somewhat smaller percentage of children of working mothers are securely attached Slightly more aggressive and obedient More socially adept Quality of care matters more than quantity Children in high-quality, enriched care show no differences from those cared for by mom