Developmental Psychology

1
Developmental Psychology

• Study of changes that occur over the human
  lifespan
• Thinking (Piaget)
• Morality (Kohlberg and Gilligan)
• Self and Identity (Erikson and Marcia)

2
Development of Thought

• Jean Piaget began with intelligence testing in
  France with Binet. Noticed patterns in the ways
  that children thought. Developed a four stage
  model
• Sensorimotor stage birth to 1.5 years of age.
  Consists of simple motor responses to sensory
  stimuli. No object permanence.
• Pre-operational stage 1.5-7 years. Lack
  reversible mental processes.

3
Piaget and His Stages

• Children often cant distinguish appearance from
  reality. Lack conservation skills.
  Egocentric. Positives develop object
  permanence and language
• Concrete Operations Stage 7-11 years. Can
  perform mental operations on concrete objects,
  but still have trouble with abstract ideas
• Formal Operations Stage

4
Development of Moral Reasoning

• Lawrence Kohlberg reasoning behind decision is
  more important than the decision itself. Created
  a 3 level, 6 stage model
• Level of Pre-conventional Morality
• Punishment and Obedience Orientation decisions
  are based on immediate consequences
• Instrumental Relativist Orientation issue of
  delayed benefits and punishments

5
More Kohlberg

• Level of Conventional Morality
• Interpersonal Concordance public opinion
• Law and Order Orientation
• Level of Post-Conventional Morality
• Social-contract Legalistic Orientation law is
  viewed as flexible in certain cases
• Universal Ethical Principle Orientation certain
  ethical principles are more important than the law

6
Morality and Carol Gilligan

• Females have a different set of societal and
  moral expectations (e.g., relationship concerns).
  This idea led to her three stage model
• Pre-conventional Stage what is helpful or
  harmful to myself
• Conventional Stage what is helpful of harmful to
  others
• Post-conventional Stage what is helpful of
  harmful to myself and others

7
Social and Emotional Development

• Erik Erikson Divided lifespan into eight
  periods. Each period has a conflict that must be
  resolved. Type of resolution has consequences
  that carry over for the rest of your life.
• Trust vs. Mistrust newborn to 1 yr. Is my
  social world predictable and supportive

8
Erikson

• Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt 1-3 yrs. Can I do
  things for myself, or must I always rely upon
  others? Does independence develop?
• Initiative vs. Guilt 3-6 yrs. 1st clash with
  parental restrictions. Am I good or bad? How
  acceptable are my actions?
• Industry vs. Inferiority 6 to puberty. Widen
  focus from family to society. Compare to peers.
  Am I successful or am I worthless?

9

• Identity vs. Role Confusion puberty into 20s.
  Independence from parents begins. Who am I?
• Intimacy vs. Isolation 20s to early 40s.
  Will you share your life with another person or
  will you live alone?
• Generativity vs. Stagnation 40s - 60s. Am I
  a productive member of society?
• Ego Integrity vs. Despair Have I lived a full
  life or have I failed?

10
Marcia on the Identity Crisis

• Identity Foreclosure passive acceptance of a
  role
• Role Diffusion Lack an identity and motivation
• Moratorium active search
• Identity Achievement

11
Coping with Dying

• Elisabeth Kubler-Ross stages represent defense
  mechanisms. Can be in multiple stages at once
• Denial
• Anger
• Bargaining
• Depression both reactive and preparatory
• Acceptance