Psycology

the branch of psychology that studies the social and mental development of children

Continuous development involves gradual, cumulative change (continuity). Continuous is generally how most animals and trees develop or grow - flowing from one step directly into the next. Discontinuous development is in distinct stages (discontinuity). Discontinuous seems to skip a step. Examples would be: (1) a tadpole to a frog, (2) a butterfly to a caterpillar.

Cognitive development is a field of study in neuroscience and psychology focusing on a child's development in terms of information processing, conceptual resources, perceptual skill, language learning, and other aspects of brain development and cognitive psychology compared to an adult's point

According to Piaget, schemas are cognitive frameworks or concepts that help people organize and interpret information. As experiences happen, this new information is used to modify, add to or completely change previously existing schemas. For example, a young girl may have a schema about a type of animal, such as a cat. According to her schema, cat's are furry and have four legs.

This debate within psychology is concerned with the extent to which particular aspects of behavior are a product of either inherited (i.e. genetic) or acquired (i.e. learned) characteristics. Nature is that which is inherited / genetic. Nurture which refers to all environmental influences after conception, i.e. experience

The emergence and development of personal characteristics in an orderly sequence as a result of underlining physical growth. Maturation refers to physical growth and development of the body - especially the nervous system. Maturation underlies the orderly sequence observed in the unfolding of many basic abilities, particularly motor abilities, such as crawling and walking.

Maturation often creates a condition of readiness for learning. Until the necessary physical structures are mature, no amount of practice will be sufficient to establish a skill. Impossible (and cause for needless frustration) to try to teach a child to walk or to toilet train a child before it is ready. Rapid learning is produced if ready, otherwise the learning is inefficient or unsuccessful.

Developmental biology is the study of the process by which organisms grow and develop. Modern developmental biology studies the genetic control of cell growth, differentiation and morphogenesis, which is the process that gives rise to tissues, organs and anatomy, and even regeneration and aging,

Social development refers the development of social skills and emotional maturity that are needed to forge relationships and relate to others.

the development of a full range of emotions from sad to happy to angry, and learning to deal with them appropriately.

Cognitive development is a field of study in neuroscience and psychology focusing on a child's development in terms of information processing, conceptual resources, perceptual skill, language learning, and other aspects of brain development and cognitive psychology compared to an adult's point

Sensori-motor period (from birth until age 2) --Behavior is organized around its sensory or motor effects --Culminates in attaining the concept of object permanence. --Object permanence: understanding that objects have a continued existence when they disappear from view. Pre-operational stage (from 2-6) --Characterized by egocentric thought. --Children cannot adopt alternative viewpoints; they cannot think from another person's perspective. Concrete operational stage (6-12) --Children are able to adopt alternative viewpoints. --Conservation task: pour water from short, wide glass into tall, thin one --Concrete operational child understands the amount of water stays the same. Formal operational stage (12 and up) --Child is not limited to concrete thinking. --Child can reason abstractly and logically.

the state of being assimilated; people of different backgrounds come to see themselves as part of a larger national family

Support for Piaget's Theory: The Theory's Impact on Education Piaget's focus on qualitative development had an important impact on education. While Piaget did not specifically apply his theory in this way, many educational programs are now built upon the belief that children should be taught at the level for which they are developmentally prepared. In addition to this, a number of instructional strategies have been derived from Piaget's work. These strategies include providing a supportive environment, utilizing social interactions and peer teaching, and helping children see fallacies and inconsistencies in their thinking (Driscoll, 1994).

Problems With Research Methods Problems With Formal Operations Underestimates Children's Abilities

egoism: concern for your own interests and welfare

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