This chapter discusses biological development from infancy through childhood. It covers topics like human reproduction, prenatal development, typical infant milestones, abortion issues and infertility. The learning objectives are to describe human reproduction and pregnancy, explain infant development stages, examine the abortion controversy and social factors, and explain infertility causes and treatments. Key aspects of early infant functioning like reflexes and sleeping patterns are also outlined.

1. Understanding Human Behavior and the Social
Environment
Eleventh Edition
Chapter 2
Biological
Development in
Infancy and
Childhood
Copyright © 2019 Cengage. All Rights Reserved.

2. Copyright © 2019 Cengage. All Rights Reserved.
Learning Objectives (1 of 2)
• LO 2-1 Describe the dynamics of human
reproduction (including conception, the diagnosis
of pregnancy, fetal development, prenatal
influences and assessment, problem pregnancies,
and the birth process).
• LO 2-2 Explain typical developmental milestones
for infants and children.

3. Copyright © 2019 Cengage. All Rights Reserved.
Learning Objectives (2 of 2)
• LO 2-3 Examine the abortion controversy (in
addition to the impacts of social and economic
forces).
• LO 2-4 Explain infertility (including the causes, the
psychological reactions to infertility, the treatment
of infertility, the assessment process, alternatives
available to infertile couples, and social work roles
concerning infertility).

4. Copyright © 2019 Cengage. All Rights Reserved.
LO 2-1 (1 of 2)
• Describe the Dynamics of Human Reproduction.
– The Dynamics of Human Reproduction
– Prenatal Influences
– Drugs of Abuse
– Prenatal Assessment
– Problem Pregnancies
– The Birth Process

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LO 2-1 (2 of 2)
• Sperm meets egg; a child is conceived. But in
actuality, it is not quite that simple.
• Pregnancy can be diagnosed by using laboratory
tests, by observing the mother’s physical
symptoms, or by performing a physical
examination.
• An average human pregnancy lasts about 266
days after conception.

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Early Functioning of the Neonate (1 of 2)
• The average full-term newborn weighs about 7.5
pounds and is approximately 20 inches long.
• First, newborn babies generally spend much time
sleeping, although the time spent decreases as the
baby grows older. Second, babies tend to respond
in very generalized ways.

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Early Functioning of the Neonate (2 of 2)
• Reflexes
– Sucking reflex
– Moro reflex
– Startle reflex
– Stepping reflex
– Grasping reflex
– Babinski reflex
– Swimming reflex
– Tonic neck reflex

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LO 2-2
• Explain Typical Developmental Milestones for
Infants and Children.
• As infants grow and develop, their growth follows
certain patterns and principles.
– Continuous and orderly
– Specific characteristics
– Individual differences
– Nature-nurture controversy

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Profiles of Normal Development for Children 4
Months to 11 Years (1 of 2)
• Motor; Adaptive; Social; Language:
– Age 4 Months
– Age 8 Months
– Age 1 Year
– Age 18 Months
– Age 2 Years

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Profiles of Normal Development for Children 4
Months to 11 Years (2 of 2)
– Age 3 Years
– Age 4 Years
– Age 5 Years
– Age 6 to 8 Years
– Ages 9 to 11 Years

11. Copyright © 2019 Cengage. All Rights Reserved.
LO 2-3 (1 of 3)
• Examine the Abortion Controversy: Impacts of
Social and Economic Forces.
• A basic decision involved in unplanned pregnancy
is whether to have the baby.
– The Impacts of Macro System Policies on Practice and
Access to Services
 People’s values affect laws that, in turn, regulate policy
regarding how people can make decisions and choose to act.
– Incidence of Abortion

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LO 2-3 (2 of 3)
– Reasons for Abortion
– Methods of Abortion
– The Importance of Context and Timing
 Although abortion is considered a very safe medical practice in
the United States, the further a woman is into her pregnancy,
the greater the risk of death.
– Arguments For and Against Abortion
– Effects of Abortion on Women and Men

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LO 2-3 (3 of 3)
– Social Worker Roles and Abortion: Empowering Women
 Social workers can assume a variety of roles when helping
women with unwanted pregnancies. Among them are enabler,
educator, broker, and advocate.
– Abortion-Related Ethical Dilemmas in Practice
 The EPS hierarchy involves seven principles

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LO 2-4 (1 of 2)
• Explain Infertility.
– Causes of Infertility
 Of all infertility cases, males are responsible for approximately
one-third and females for about one-third; the remaining one-
third involve a mixture of male and female factors.
– Psychological Reactions to Infertility
 Some people experience serious reactions to infertility.
 They may show signs of depression, guilt, deprivation,
frustration, or anger as they pursue infertility counseling.

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LO 2-4 (2 of 2)
– Treatment of Infertility
 The first thing to be done in the case of suspected infertility is to
bring the matter out into the open.
– Assessment of Infertility
 The first step in assessing female infertility usually involves
evaluating whether the woman is ovulating each month.
– Alternatives Available to the Infertile Couple
– Social Work Roles, Infertility, and Empowerment