Week 3- Pregnancy, Birth, & Infancy Oh My!-AKEL

Chapter 3 Pregnancy & Prenatal Development

As we wrap up with chapter 2 and learn the different kinds of theories of development by different theorists, we are introduced to the beginning. Beginning of life. How amazing is it that we are basically made into a zygote; the result of a cell when an egg is fertilized with a sperm. We also learn the structure of a cell  that comes in 23 pairs-46 total. One single damage to the DNA can cause a disorder/condition. For instance, an extra copy of chromosome 21 (makes a total of 47 chromosomes) can cause Down Syndrome. Aside from chromosome disorders, there are genetic disorders (such as Sickle Cell Anemia (blood disorder found mainly in African descent), or Tay Sachs (caused by a recessive gene, found in Jews of European origin). 

Reading on made me feel a bit nostalgic. Remembering the good old times when I was pregnant with my first and only child. The germinal period is the time when the fertilized egg passes through the fallopian tube. Whereas the embryonic period is a time of rapid development. Fetal period is a time of preparation for life outside the womb. There are always other options if one cannot carry her own child on her own due to some kind of difficulty such as In Vitro fertilization, Intrauterine insemination, Gamete intrafallopian transfer, and more. Even if any of those are not an option, one can always adopt. We are also warned about any kind of harm a mother or child can endure during pregnancy, and to be careful and stay away from whatever we are able to stay away from (drugs, alcohol, etc..). 

Chapter 4 Birth and the Newborn Child 

(Hope this part doesn't gross anyone out, as its a natural and beautiful process a woman experiences-she probably wont think its beautiful at the time, but you get my drift)

This is when things get a bit serious. The birth process. Many women experience false labor pain (as I had experienced) which is called Braxton-Hicks contractions. Once the mucus plug followed by your water breaking (amniotic fluid) makes its way out, you know its time to get in that car and head out to the hospital. Ladies, or gentleman (whose partner is pregnant), a few squats can help speeding up that process. Trust me. Labor hours vary from woman to woman but the average time is 5 to 6 hours. But not if you're Ruba. You'll sit for 18 hours and then be rushed for an emergency C-section. How fun! But yes, that is one of the methods of childbirth. Natural child birth, home delivery, and cesarean section.

Infants display their capability through their sensory abilities and reflexes. Infants' assessment focuses on neurological functioning and other behaviors to increase information about the neonates capabilities. Families should try to adjust to the birth of a new child at their earliest conveniences as some women will experience postpartum depression. It takes a heavy toll on a person, physically & mentally. Brook Shields is an example of a woman who experienced post partum depression, and is raising awareness about postpartum experiences. 

Chapter 5 Infancy

Lets be honest, infants are underestimated for their abilities. We may not notice this because they are so dependent on their caregivers/mothers. They are capable of so much, even when they are one month old they can pick up that head of theirs. In order to achieve a great physical development in infancy, good nutrition is required. Here comes the great debate about what is better for the baby. Breast milk, or formula. On page 104 in our LifeSmart text book, it states that breast fed infants are less likely to get sick as often as a formula fed baby. Lies lies all lies. Adam, my 5 year old nephew was breast fed for 2 years and is ALWAYS sick. Compared to my 3 year old, who was only breast fed for a month (as badly as I wanted to keep on going, I had to stop for various reasons), who isn't as bad, just the usual ear infection when she was teething, or cold and flu in the winter. But everyone has their own preference on feeding their infant and moms shouldn't bottle shame other mothers. Yes folks, people out there have time on their hands to shame other mothers for using formula.

There are various techniques that are used for researchers to draw conclusions on the human brain, especially infant brains. Those techniques are: CT scans, PET scan, MRI, EEG, and electroencephalogram.

Piaget's theory was perfectly introduced in this chapter as we talk about cognitive development. As page 102 states, "Piaget believed that the first few years of life are marked by extraordinary mental growth and influence the entire course of development". Piaget proposed a theory of development as a sequence of distinct stages, each of which entails important changes in the way a child thinks, feels and behaves. Piaget's sensorimotor period consists of 6  stages:

Stage 1: Simple reflexes
Stage 2:  (1-4 months) stage of primary circular reactions; infants actions that are focused on their own bodies and refluxes.
Stage 3: Secondary circular reactions (4-8 months)-Piaget's term for infants activities that are directed toward objects and events outside themselves.
Stage 4: coordination of secondary schemes-Piaget's term for when infants combine secondary schemes to obtain a goal
Stage 5: Tertiary circular reactions (12-18 months): Piaget's term for repetition with variation; infant is exploring the worlds possibilities
Stage 6: Internalization of schemes: Children's use of symbols to think about real events without actually experiencing them

Biopsychosocial model of development is evident as various phases of development converge in a child's use of language such as motor, language, and cognitive development.

I have noticed I became a bit open with myself on this particular blog, and apologize if I have offended anyone. 

Week 2- Theories Of Development-AKEL

Theories of Development - Interpreting the Lifespan

Chapter 2 introduces all the major (and a bit more in between) theorists and their own theories of development. Let me just add, chapter 2 was basically my high school psychology book summarized in one chapter. Not complaining though :). Some may not agree to every theory that was presented, but it opens the doors to view each and every one of them and maybe compare them to your understandings of lifespan development or even apply them to your daily life style. 

The major theories of development are from Freud-psychoanalytic, Erikson-psychosocial, Piaget-cognitive, Vygotsky-sociocultural, Bandura/Skinner-behavioral, Lerner-contextual. Carefully reading through all, and trying to understand each one, I found that Freud’s theory was a bit confusing which had me going back and forth trying to understand his reasoning. Although he brings up some interesting points, I don’t agree with his theory 100%.  Freud thought that our adult personality is determined by the way we resolve conflicts between these early sources of pleasure- the mouth, the anus and the genitals-and the demands of reality. These ideas and feelings inhabit only a small part of the brain and a person’s deepest thoughts, fears and urges remain out of our awareness. They are in our unconscious part of the mind.

What stuck out the most to me from them all, and made more sense to me were Uri Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological theory (bioecological model), Lev Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory, Albert Banduras Social (Cognitive) Learning, Ivan Pavlov’s classical conditioning, & B.F. Skinner’s operant conditioning. I agree that the environment around a child can influence how the child grows and develops as Uri explains. Also, according to Lev, humans use tools that develop from a culture, such as speech and writing, to mediate their social environments, initially children develop these tools to serve solely as social functions, ways to communicate their needs. Remembering when I was in first grade, I always told myself I wanted to be a teacher when I grow up, and to be just like that specific teacher. Observing her methods of teaching our classroom was so fascinating. She was so loving, understanding, and made every individual feel just as important as everyone else. This is just one of the examples of Albert Bandura’s social cognitive learning. Classical & operant condition, punishment, extinction, as well as reinforcement (both positive and negative) can be seen at home and even in school. I can also say that these are things that I instill at home with my child. It is something I went through a child, and is only natural to pass it down to mine.  I loved Pavlov’s way of teaching classical conditioning. No animals/feelings were hurt, unlike John Watson who made an infant cry (sorry for the dry humor). 

Week 1 An Introduction to Lifespan Development- AKEL

Lifespan Development-An Introduction


Is it just me, or does reading up on Psychology make more sense as you grow older? That's how I felt as I kept turning the pages. To develop in life and to grow, one must change. Not only is there biological change, but there is psychological and even social changes that can occur over the course of the human life. It wont always be good, as bad things can also occur. But don't be afraid because we as humans are not perfect and make mistakes. But we learn from those mistakes and make changes in our lives. 

In chapter one, it is stated that philosophers John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau both had a different view on child development. Locke believes that children are a "blank slate". If I am not mistaken, I took that as parents should take that opportunity and "mold" them into becoming whatever they think is best for their child or help stir them in the right direction. Whereas Rousseau believes a child should learn behaviors, and develop on their own. I have to agree with both but more towards Rousseau. You live, you make mistakes and you learn. That is something that has happened to me many times and continue to learn from mistakes. How else would we change for the better and grow? On page 12 we are told to draw a similar model that contains highs and lows, or peaks and deep valleys to represent good and bad that you may have been through in life. I could not help but notice my peeks were just as much as my deep valleys. But as I hit my late 20's early 30's things take a turn for the better. A living proof that lifespan development (change) is ongoing, from prenatal period to late adulthood and beyond. 

The Mobius Strip. What a delicate way to explain stages of life! It goes beyond mathematics. Parker J. Palmer beautifully explains how the lines represents our inner and outer lives. How true is it that our outer life is basically public. What and how people view us. But the inner line is what actually defines us. And when we make a circle with that line our inner and outer life it "co-create" one another. As Palmer accurately states, "The Mobius Strip is the adult form of the wholeness in which we were born".