Session 23 - Introduction to Developmental / Lifespan Psychology
Students are to copy down the following notes in their workbook:
Lifespan Psychology
Lifespan development refers to
age related changes that occur from birth right through to old age. The aim of studying lifespan
development is to describe, explain, understand and predict the ways in which
our thoughts, feelings and behavior change throughout life.
Psychologists tend to study 3 major components of lifespan development when researching how individuals develop. These components are:
- Biological Development - refers to the physical changes that occur in the body through growth and maturation.
- Cognitive Development - refers to the mental processes of problem solving, perceiving and reasoning.
- Socio-cultural Development - refers to the development of the 'person' in terms of their personality, emotions, social interactions and expectations.
Discuss the ideas and terms above with the class and ensure that all students are clear on the major concepts presented.
Move onto 'The Life Series' and explain the process of the longitudinal study.
Students are to watch the second episode of the series that deals with stress and resilience in infants - while ultimately asking how do children cope with the stress and pressures of the modern world and how does this influence their development?
While watching the episode (start at approx. 10 minutes in) all students are to answer the following questions - students are to write questions in workbook:
- How does stress influence the development of a child?
- What happens to a child who experiences chronic levels of stress in their first year of life?
- What does the study suggest about the concept of childcare and child development?
- What does the study reveal about working parents and the levels of stress in both the child and the parents / carers?
Copy the following down in workbooks:
The health related professions have broken down the individuals lifespan into a number of stages - the first is known as infancy
Infancy: is a period of life between approximately
birth to 2 years of age. The sensory and motor (movement) abilities of
infants develop rapidly throughout this period. According to the developmental psychologist Jean Piaget, infants
progress through the first stage of cognitive development: the sensorimotor
stage. Infants begin to communicate using language skills developed over this
period of time and they form attachments or binds with their caregivers.
Infants develop self-awareness and begin to interact with a wider social
group.
Students to read from page 110 – 117 of the
text and complete the observation table shown on the W/B in their workbooks.
Some questions to ask at home before the next class:
- What was your first word and how old were you?
- When did you start walking?
- What was your personality like when your were a baby? Has it changed over time?
Session 24 - Childhood & Adolescence
Open with the discussing the homework questions concerning the students' own development norms...
What are these two talking about?
Run through the observation table concerning the life stage of infancy with the group - ensuring that the following topics / concepts are included:
- Biological - maturation, development norms and adaptive reflexes
- Cognitive - preferential looking, habituation and dishabituation
- Socio-cultural - self awareness, social referencing, imprinting and emotional attachment
Move onto the life stage of Childhood and copy the following down in workbooks:
Childhood: is a period of life that begins at approximately 2 years of age and blends into the beginning of adolescence, which occurs at about the age of 12. During childhood, cognitive and social growth is rapid and physical growth is mostly slow and steady.
Discuss the some of the main points concerned with this lifespan stage:
- egocentrism
- socialisation - the idea of play (benefits...)
Pose the following questions to the class:
- What toys did you play with when you were a child?
- What games did you play when you were a child?
Move onto the idea of how do (and how should) we speak to kids...
Like this???
Listen to the section of the podcast series 'This American Life - How To Talk To Kids'
Start from the beginning and then listen to the last story, begins at 45 mins.
Discuss the main ideas and concepts with the class...
Students to read from page 118 – 121 of the text and complete the observation table for childhood (exactly the same as the infancy life stage).
Homework - Read through pages 122 - 126 and along with completing an observation table for ADOLESCENCE, you also need to firstly write a short introductory summary of the life stage. This is due to be completed by Friday!
Session 25 - Adolescence - Perception & Risk Taking
Run through the observation table concerning the life stage of childhood with the group - ensuring that the following topics / concepts are included:
- Biological - fine motor skills
- Cognitive - Piaget's Theory of D'ment (we'll get to later on), language development
- Socio-cultural - play, peer group.
Move onto the next life stage Adolescence:
Adolescence: is the period of life between
approximately 12 and 18 years of age. Biologically it is the period when
humans reach reproductive maturity after progressing through puberty. Thinking begins to become more on the abstract or meaningful principles of life. Peer group plays an important role,
with many adolescents conforming to their group’s norms.
Run through the observation table concerning the life stage of childhood with the group - ensuring that the following topics / concepts are included:
- Biological - puberty (include information on males and females)
- Cognitive - abstract principles, movement toward thinking about others.
- Socio-cultural - search for identity, self esteem, relationships with parents, peer group and conformity.
Discussion Questions:
How do you think adolescence (teenagers) are perceived by others?
The beginnings of teen culture...
The evolution...
And now we are here...
Do you agree with the analogy of adolescence is 'like a form of purgatory'?
Move onto watching 'Whatever! The Science of Teens' - specific to risk taking in adolescence.
All students are to complete the viewing sheet and discuss the main ideas...
Homework: Read through pages 126 - 128 and along with completing an observation table for both EARLY ADULTHOOD & MIDDLE AGE, you also need to firstly write a short introductory summary for each of the life stages.
This is due to be completed by Friday 27th April
|
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment