3. Learning Goals-Chapter 2
Discuss the evolutionary perspective on development.
Describe what genes are and how they influence human development.
Describe prenatal development.
Discuss the birth process and the postpartum period.
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6. Natural Selection & Adaptive behavior
Charles Darwin (1859)
“Evolutionary process by which
those individuals of a species that
are best adapted are the ones that
survive and reproduce” p.34.
7. All organisms must adapt in life
Not
enough
foods, or
resources,
struggles
No Chance to
reproduce
Endurance, superior
characteristics
Reproduce/Pass
on survival genes
to next.
9. Evolutionary Psychology
Emphasizes the important of adaptation, reproduction, and survival of the
fittest in shaping behavior.
Explains human physical features and behaviors.
Focuses on conditions for survival or non-survivals
Paul Baltes’s View of Evolution and
Culture across the Life-Span
10. Evolutionary Developmental Psychology
Humans take longer to become reproductively mature
Humans require time to develop a large brain and learn the
complexity of human societies
The length of childhood period is extended
Evolved mechanisms are not always adaptive in contemporary
society
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11. 11 According to evolutionary theory, there is a specific reason that certain animals live in
the regions that they do. Polar bears, for instance, are found only in the Arctic regions of
the world. An evolutionary theorist would say that the polar bear was best adapted for
this type of environment, unlike a grizzly bear, who would freeze to death. In this case,
the polar bear is a good example of___________________________
Natural Selection
What are the critics about evolutionary psychology?
It focuses too much in genetic influence and overlook another equation of
development such behaviors/environments.
It occurs in time scale that does not lend itself to empirical study.
As a criticism of evolutionary psychology, Albert Bandura proposed a
bidirectional View, rejected one-sided evolutionism.
12. Genetic Foundations of Development
Each of us carries a “genetic code” that we inherited from our
parents
A fertilized human egg carries this human code
Fertilized human egg cannot grow into any other species
Each of us began life as a single cell which contained our entire
genetic code
Mitosis: Cell nucleus duplicates.
Meiosis: Cell division forms gametes.
Fertilization: Egg and sperm form zygote.
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Genes and chromosomes:
Identical and fraternal twins
Mutated gene
Genotype-All of one’s genetic makeup
Phenotype-Observable characteristics
13. 13
The units of hereditary information that are
compromised of short segments of DNA are genes.
A complex molecule that has a double-helix shape and
contains genetic information is chromosome
The originally thought that human beings have
around 100,000 genes, recent research into the human
genome suggests that we probably have more like
30,000 different genes.
DNA is a complex molecule that has a double helix
shape, like a spiral staircase, and contains genetic
information
Genes direct cells to reproduce themselves and to
assemble proteins
.
15. 15
After fertilization of the egg by a sperm, a single cell is created that is known
as ___________________
zygote
A person’s _________________ refers to all of an individual’s genetic material,
including that which has and has not yet been expressed.
genotype
A phenotype can consist of ______________as well as ________________ characteristics.
psychological
physical
When one gene overrides the potential of another gene to be expressed,
masking it in a way, this gene is exerting a _____________ influence.
dominant
16. Heredity-Environment Interaction
CONCEPT CHARACTERISTICS DESCRIPTION
Intelligence • Jensen Argues that intelligence is mainly due to heredity
• Most exerts today accept that the environment plays an important role in intelligence
Heredity-Environment
Correlations
• Sandra Scarr argues that the environments parents select for children depend on the
parents ’genotypes
• Passive genotypes, evocative-environment, and active genotype-environment are
three correlations
• Scarr believes the relative importance of these three genotype-environment
correlations changes as children develop
Shared and nonshared
environment experiences
• These refer to siblings common experiences
• These refer to child unique experiences
Complexity: conclusions
about Heredity-
Environment Interaction
• Many complex behaviors have some genetic loading that gives people a propensity
for a particular developmental trajectory
• Actual development also requires an environment, and that environment is complex
• The interaction of heredity and environment is extensive.
source: www.mcgrawhill.ca/college/santrock
17. Genetic Principles
Sex-linked genes:
X-linked inheritance for males and females.
Poly-genetically determined characteristics:
Many genes interact to influence a trait.
Sex-linked chromosome abnormalities:
Down Syndrome
Klinefelter syndrome- (males-extra X chromosome)
Fragile X syndrome- (abnormality in X
chromosome)
Turner syndrome- (females-extra X chromosome)
XYY syndrome- (males-extra Y chromosome)
19. 19 River has a round face, a flattened skull, an extra fold of skin over her eyelids,
a thickened tongue, short limbs, and retardation of motor and mental
abilities. She is likely to have been born with Down Syndrome
Hans is tall and has undeveloped testes and developed unusually large
breasts for a man. What sex-linked disorder does he have?
Klinefelter Syndrome
Fragile X syndrome is usually characterized by some sort of mental deficiency.
This deficiency could include having
Mental retardation, short attention span, and learning disabilities
Sandra excels in reading and spelling but struggles with mathematics. She is
shorter than her peers and was born without ovaries.
Sandra most likely has Turner Syndrome
21. Prenatal Tests
Ultrasound Sonography
Perform 7 wk- throughout pregnancy
Chorionic Villi Sampling:
Small sample of placenta taken (10-12 wk) detect genetics defect/chromosome
abnormalities
Amniocentesis:
Samples amniotic fluid (16-18 wk). Test for chromosome or metabolic disorder
Maternal blood test
Blood screening for spina bifida/down syndrome, risks for birth defect
Fetal MRI
Look for more detailed/accuracy of the abnormalities in specific organs etc.
Noninvasive Prenatal Diagnosis (NIPD)
Look for fetal cells circulating in mother’s blood
Test genes inherited from father causes cystic fibrosis/Huntington disease
Fetal Sex determination
Early detection of baby gender
22. Hazards to Prenatal Development
Prescription drugs
Social Drugs
Substance Abuse
Maternal Factors
Other Factors
25. Birth Process
3 Stages
1. Contractions causing the cervix to stretch and open moving from 15 to
20 minutes apart at the beginning to 2 to 5 minutes apart at the end.
2. Contractions occur every2-5 minutes, push baby through the birth canal
3. Baby head emerges from the mother’s body, afterbirth the placenta,
umbilical cord, and other membranes are detached and expelled.
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http://americanpregnancy.org/tag/understanding-labor-and-birth
26. Where to give birth…..
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Midwife-Certified birth attendance
Doula-Greek term-,caregiver, physical,
emotional, educational support
Hospital-OBGYN, Nurse, Pediatrician
27. Choose to give birth…..
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Nonmedicated techniques:
• Water birth more in European countries
• Massage reduces pain and anxiety
• Acupuncture is standard in China
• Hypnosis has some positive effects
• Music therapy reduces stress, manages pain
Natural Childbirth Technique:
Using breathing strategy, relaxation technique, French term
Lamaze
Medication Techniques:
Using analgesics (epidural block, oxytocic, etc.), Possible effects of
drugs on fetus
Cesarean sections for breech babies, other risks and benefits
28. Assessing New Born
Apgar Scale: Evaluates heart, reflexes, and color.
Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (BNBAS): Sensitive index of
neurological competence.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS): Analysis of
behavior, neurological and stress responses, and regulatory capacities.
29. Post Partum Period
The period after childbirth or delivery
that lasts for about six weeks
Or until the mother’s body has completed
its adjustment and has returned to a
nearly pre-pregnant stage
Physical adjustments
Emotional and psychological adjustments
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