The Basics of Lifespan Development: An Introduction

Updated: November 17, 2024

Understanding Psychology with Dr. Daniel Kaplin


Summary

The video provides an in-depth overview of lifespan development, including the conceptualizations of aging, major theories, and developmental changes from conception to adulthood. It discusses the importance of understanding development across physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional domains from womb to tomb. Key topics covered include life expectancy, different developmental periods, psychoanalytic and cognitive theories, the role of biology and evolution, human attachment, language development, and the impact of the environment on individual development.


Introduction to Lifespan Development

Overview of general principles of lifespan development, conceptualizations of aging, major theories, and the start of the lecture.

Definition of Lifespan

Clarification of the lifespan concept starting from conception, developmental experiences from womb to tomb, and the importance of understanding changes from conception onwards.

Developmental Changes

Explanation of development as changes occurring across different domains including physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional aspects from conception throughout life.

Traditional vs. Lifespan Approach

Comparison between the traditional approach focusing on prenatal development up to adolescence and the lifespan approach which includes changes from womb to tomb.

Life Expectancy and Aging

Discusses life expectancy, average lifespan, reasons for increased longevity, and challenges associated with living longer including neurocognitive disorders.

Multi-dimensional Development

Explores the multi-dimensional nature of development incorporating physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional factors that interplay across the lifespan.

Influences on Development

Discusses chronological age, normative history-graded influence, and non-normative life events as factors influencing development within the context of society, culture, and individual experiences.

Developmental Periods

Explanation of different developmental periods including prenatal, infancy, early childhood, middle and late childhood, adolescence, early adulthood, middle adulthood, and late adulthood, highlighting key characteristics of each stage.

Theories in Lifespan Development

Overview of psychoanalytic theories focusing on Freud's psychosexual stage theory and Erikson's psychosocial development, emphasizing the role of unconscious mind, early childhood experiences, and developmental stages.

Psychoanalytic Theories

Includes emphasis on family relationships, development, and the unconscious. Criticisms involve lack of scientific support and excessive emphasis on negative views of people.

Cognitive Stage Theorists

Focuses on cognitive development with four stage theories: sensory motor, pre-operational, concrete operational, and formal operational. Each stage involves different changes and mastery levels.

Vygotsky's Sociocultural Cognitive Theory

Highlights that cognitive changes occur through support from others, especially socially and cognitively advanced individuals like parents, teachers, or siblings. Contrasts Piaget's view where cognitive changes are independent.

Behaviorism and Social Cognitive Theories

Includes classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational learning theories. Skinner's operant conditioning emphasizes consequences on behavior, while Bandura's observational learning theory stresses learning from models and social influences.

Ethology and Human Attachment

Explores the role of biology and evolution on development, particularly critical and sensitive periods. Human attachment, especially in early childhood, establishes basis for forming multiple attachments across the lifespan.

Language Development and Sensitive Period

Discusses the sensitive period in language development using the example of Genie, highlighting the importance of early exposure to language for adequate mastery. Compares all-or-nothing outcomes in non-human vs. human models.

Ecological Systems Model

Focuses on the environment's impact on development, emphasizing different systems like microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and chronosystem. Each system influences development directly or indirectly based on the individual's context and historical time period.


FAQ

Q: What is the main focus of the lecture on lifespan development?

A: The main focus of the lecture is to clarify the concept of lifespan development starting from conception and highlighting the importance of understanding changes from conception through different developmental periods.

Q: How does the lecture explain development across different domains?

A: The lecture explains that development involves changes across physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional aspects from conception throughout a person's life.

Q: What are some key aspects discussed in relation to lifespan development challenges?

A: The lecture discusses life expectancy, average lifespan, reasons for increased longevity, and challenges associated with living longer, including neurocognitive disorders.

Q: What are some factors influencing development within the context of society, culture, and individual experiences?

A: Factors influencing development include chronological age, normative history-graded influence, and non-normative life events within the context of society, culture, and individual experiences.

Q: What are some criticisms of the psychoanalytic theories discussed in the lecture?

A: Criticisms of psychoanalytic theories involve lack of scientific support and excessive emphasis on negative views of people.

Q: What does the lecture highlight about cognitive development and the role of social interactions?

A: The lecture highlights that cognitive changes occur through support from others, especially socially and cognitively advanced individuals like parents, teachers, or siblings, contrary to Piaget's view.

Q: How do Skinner's operant conditioning and Bandura's observational learning theory differ in their emphasis?

A: Skinner's operant conditioning emphasizes consequences on behavior, while Bandura's observational learning theory stresses learning from models and social influences.

Q: What is the importance of human attachment discussed in the lecture?

A: Human attachment, especially in early childhood, establishes the basis for forming multiple attachments across the lifespan, influencing emotional and social development.

Q: What are the different systems in the environment that impact development according to the lecture?

A: The lecture emphasizes different systems like microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and chronosystem, which influence development directly or indirectly based on the individual's context and historical time period.

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