What do I have to know about Developmental Psychology in Year 13? You have now been introduced to a number of different learning theories which explain how and why people behave the way that they do. The learning theories of development are centred on the environmental influences on the learning process. In Year 13 our focus changes to how children are brought up and the influence of learning in the home and at school.
The key elements that you need to know are: 1. Attachment, deprivation and privation: Theories of attachment: • Learning theories including O'Connor et al.’s (2013) study on social learning, parenting and attachment. • Bowlby's maternal deprivation hypothesis and theory of attachment, including the 44 Juvenile Thieves study (1944).
2. Ainsworth’s work on attachment including types of attachment and care giver sensitivity: • Cross-cultural research into attachment types. • Strange situation procedure.
3. Cognitive and language development: Theories of cognitive development • Piaget's stages of cognitive and language development. • Vygotsky's zone of proximal development (ZPD). • Stages of language development. • Theories of language: learning including Skinner; nativist including Chomsky's language acquisition device (LAD); interactionist including Vygotsky. 4. Theories of social and emotional development • Erikson's stages of psychosocial development. • Vygotsky's theory of social development. • Mindfulness enhancing social, emotional and cognitive development.
You need to keep this overview in mind as you learn the following key studies:
Cognitive and language development: Theories of cognitive development This section is not only about attachment and parenting, it is also about language development. The theme is 'learning theories' so draw upon your previous understanding of social learning theories. Also consider methodology in developmental psychology such as Skinner’s experiments and generalising to children. The following gives a good introduction to the key themes that you need to explore in this section: https://www.jrf.org.uk/sites/default/files/jrf/migrated/files/parenting-outcomes.pdf
Interview with Professor Mark Williams and a Mood Self-Assessment Quiz: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/tips-and-support/mindfulness/ At the end of the quiz you will also find links to: Mental Well-being audio guides; Exercise for depression; 5 steps to mental well-being; Breathing exercises for stress. In a challenging last year at BIC, some of these links could be personally useful to you.
Make a few notes on how Vygotsky is shown through the following study: Enhancing Cognitive and Social–Emotional Development Through a Simple-to-Administer Mindfulness-Based School Program for Elementary School Children: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4323355/ Consider the method too and what was done. Use the intervention to show how such studies are carried out including looking at ethics and participants