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Unit 1 Psychology
Area of Study 2 – Lifespan Development
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Lesson Objectives
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Revision of last lesson
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Heredity factors
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Environmental factors
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The interaction between heredity and environmental factors
and the influence they have on psychological development
“Nature vs. nurture”
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Role of maturation in development
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Discussion about Genie study
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Watch a bit more
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Revision of last lesson…
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Lifespan development
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Stages of the lifespan development
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Areas of lifespan development
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Continuous vs. Discontinuous development
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Sequential nature of development (Quantitative vs.
Qualitative changes)
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Individual differences (between and within)
Hot potatoes quizzes on Moodle
- Lifespan 1
- Lifespan 2
+ Progress
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Heredity
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Also known as and referred to as ‘Nature’
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Inborn
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Involves the transmission of characteristics from biological
parents to their offspring via genes at conception
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Theorists believe that individuals behave as they do due to
genetic predispositions
Conception – Sperm cell (male) fertilizes the egg cell/ovum (female),
these cells combine to form a new cell called a zygote. The zygote
contains a unique combination of genes from the sperm and ovum.
Box 4.5 p.157
+ Heredity
We already know several characteristics that are determined
by specific genes encoded in each human cell.
Discuss some examples…
eye color
hair color
body type
rates of maturity in the brain and nervous system
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blood type
illnesses/disorders
If a parent has an illness (schizophrenia) increases the
likelihood that the offspring will develop the illness
It is proposed that intelligence, personality and aggression are
also encoded in an individuals genes (DNA)
+ Environment
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Also known as and referred to as ‘Nurture’
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Belief that individuals behave the way they do because they
were taught to do so
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Environment refers to all the experiences, objects and events
to which we are exposed throughout our entire lifetime.
Discuss some examples…
Brothers & Sisters
Schooling
Upbringing
Occupation
Income
Friendship groups
Religion
Media
Illness
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These factors can influence humans individually or
collectively
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Heredity vs. Environmental
Characteristics
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Construct a table in your notes with two columns, one with
the heading Heredity and one with the heading
Environment.
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In each column list several characteristics that you have that
you believe are influenced by either heredity or
environmental factors.
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We will discuss and combine our lists as a class.
Complete questions 1-4 in learning activity 4.9 p.158
+ Learning activity 4.9 p.158
1. Heredity - ‘Nature’ – The inborn characteristics are passed on from
the biological parents to the offspring via genes at conception
Environment - ‘Nurture’ – Individuals behave the way they do
because they were taught to do so through their experiences with
the environment
2. Examples – A hereditary factor that has influenced my
development is height. My parents are both short, therefore I am short.
An environmental factor that has influenced my development is my
friendship group, they all took dance lessons therefore I took dance
lessons (flexibility).
3. The main focus of contemporary theorists is the interaction
between heredity and environmental factors. This is due to the
evidence that both heredity and environmental factors influence the
shaping of human development. Now theorists aim to explain how
much of each factors contribute to the development of particular
characteristics.
Figure 4.15 p.160 Illustrates the interaction of factors to feeling happy
4. Greater influence discussion
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Role of Maturation
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The orderly and sequential developmental changes which occur
in the nervous system and other bodily structures controlled by
our genes.
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Why doesn’t a baby play basketball?
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Physical development (muscles to run, jump, dribble, shoot,
defend)
Intellectual development (understanding the rules and
procedures of the game)
Emotional development (be able to deal/cope with things
not going your way)
Social development (interaction with other members on the
team, verbal communication)
“Readiness” – unless the necessary bodily structures are
sufficiently mature then no amount of practice will produce the
particular behaviour.
This principle is used within schooling and the documents the
government produce.
+ Genie
Discussion about the story of ‘Genie’ so far…
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Why are we watching Genie’s story?
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What did you think about the story?
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How did the story make you feel?
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How were you able to relate Genie’s story to the physical,
intellectual, emotional and social areas of development?
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Were there differences is Genie’s development to what is
considered normal?
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If so, why do you think these differences were apparent?
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Do you want to know more?
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Summary
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Write a short paragraph on a piece of paper utilizing all the
key terms for today’s lesson – this will be handed in
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Hereditary
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Environment
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Maturation
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Quizzes (Need to be finished off at home – by Monday)
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Read pages 146 – 161 to reinforce the material we have
covered (especially as we miss Thursday’s lesson)
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Read ahead if you would like an insight into what is to come
GOOD LUCK IN YOUR ATHLETIC EVENTS!!!