Lectures Development, Learning and Behavior
Exam A
Roos van Duuren
2021-2022
Prenatal development
Research is mostly based on WEIRD science
Western Educated Industrialized Rich Democratic = 12% of world population
Müller-Lyer illusion
- Multiple cultures are less/more influenced by this illusion.
The processes that make up development are shaped by continuous interactions between
the various systems within us and our environment, as a result development will be different
for everyone.
What is development?
Specific type of change
1. Qualitative = type of cells that change over time
2. Sequential = some changes proceed others
3. Cumulative = one developmental stage can build upon other developmental
stages
4. Directional = progressive or regressive. Things may be build up but can also be
broken down.
5. Multifactorial = there is not one factor directing the course of development, there
are multiple factors
6. Individual = development is often depicted by milestones at certain ages. The
order in which these milestones are is different within individuals, some
individuals even skip steps. Individual pathways of development are unique.
Prenatal development
Ultrasounds at 20 weeks old.
Human egg = ovum
Human sperm = spermatozoa
Cell division
Each cell contains a full complement of biological material aka the biological blueprint. This
information is described in our genes. Our genes are organized in 46 chromosomes. 23 from
your mother and 23 from your father.
- Mitosis
o All genetic material is copied and then separated in to two full sets, so that
after the cell devision is complete, the resulting two cells each contain a full
copy of your genetic code.
- Meiosis
o All the genetic code is copied, the dad/mom pairs of chromosomes first
exchange genetic information between them (crossing over). Then they split,
and split again. Ending up with four new cells that each contain a different
combination of a genetic code. Each of these cells only contain half of the
genetic code. The basis for genetic variation.
, The basis for genetic variation
- Genetic basis for individual differences
- Helps us understand the interactions between nature and nurture.
The eggcell is fertilized by a spermcell. The complete blueprint is aboard and starts to
develop into a baby.
Four developmental processes.
- Mitosis: “ordinary” cell division
- Cell migration = cells go to their designated place
- Cell differentiation
o Zygote (fertilized eggcell)
o The zygote starts to multiply and becomes a lump of cells = morula, the
morula is totipotent (the cells are all still the same, not yet specialized)
o The size of the morula does not change, but number does -> pressure
increases. Some cells become blastocyst cells which become part of the fetal
part of the placenta. Other cells become inner mass cells, these cells are no
longer totipotent, but pluripotent. They can become any type of tissue in the
human body. This depends on the neurochemical signals they receive.
- Apoptosis = programmed cell death, ex. the cells that die off so your fingers grow
apart.
Stimulation from the outside
10 w. -> sense of pressure (receptors in muscles, joints and skin)
13 w. -> detection of movements (sloshing around in the uterus)
20 w. -> detection of light (without opening their eyes)
26 w. -> detection of sound
26-28 w. -> detection of smell and taste (what the mother ate and drank)
Fetuses reacts to stimulation from the outside.
Preference for the mothers voice and her preferred choice of food
Fetal movement
5-6 w. -> bending of head and spine
8-9 w. -> startle like movements
10 w. -> variety of limb movements
10-11 w. -> head movements, breathing movements
11-12 w. -> yawn, suck, swallow amnionic fluid
14 w. -> non random movements (against the embellical cord, belly wand)
20 w. -> movements with all parts of their face (raise their eyebrows etc.)
25 w. -> opening and closing eyes.
Function of fetal movement
Swallowing -> oropharyngeal cavity (closes the airpipe when swallowing), lungs,
digestive system
Body movements -> muscles, bones, joints, skin (experiment on rats by stopping their
movements as a fetus for a period of time -> results were fused bones, joint muscles
etc.)
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