Developmental Psychology: Environmental Influences
Introduction
- Presenter: Amy Rice
- Focus: Environmental influences on behavior
- Pre-requisite: Watch part one on genetic influences
Key Categories of Environmental Influences
- Prenatal Environment
- Experience and Brain Development
- Peer Influence
- Culture
- Gender
Prenatal Influences
- Misconception: Nurture begins at birth
- Reality: Begins in the womb
- Influences: Drugs, illness (e.g., influenza), stress
- Key Term: Teratogens (harmful substances affecting fetus)
Experience and Brain Development
- Experience: Develops brain's neural connections
- Research: Enriched environments (e.g., for rats) lead to heavier and thicker cerebral cortex
- Use It or Lose It Principle: Brain development requires stimulation
- Example: Infants with more face time gain more weight and develop faster neurologically
Peer Influence
- Selection Effect: Choosing similar friends
- Often based on interests, academic levels, appearance
- Role of Peers:
- Influence cooperation, popularity, social interaction
- Parents vs. Peers: Complement each other
- Parents: Education, discipline, responsibility
- Peers: Social skills, popularity
Culture
- Definition: Shared behaviors, ideas, attitudes, traditions
- Influences: Norms guide expected behavior
- Examples: Personal space, expressiveness, pace of life
- Individualism vs. Collectivism
- Individualism: Independence, personal goals (Western cultures)
- Collectivism: Family honor, social harmony (Asian, African cultures)
Gender
- Nature:
- Genetic differences (X vs. Y chromosomes)
- Biological sex determined by father's sperm
- Nurture:
- Gender roles: Cultural expectations
- Gender identity: Sense of being male or female
- Gender typed: Acquisition of gender roles through learning
- Theories of Gender Development:
- Social Learning Theory: Learning through observation and interaction
- Gender Schema Theory: Integrates social learning with cognitive processing
Conclusion
- Notes and additional materials available on Teachers Pay Teachers store
- Encouraged to review and follow for more insights
These notes provide a concise overview of environmental factors affecting developmental psychology, focusing on prenatal influences, brain development, peer and cultural interactions, and gender roles. Understanding these elements is crucial for comprehending the complex interplay between nature and nurture in shaping behavior.