PSYC140 / PSYC 140 Module 3 Exam Questions and Answers | Latest 2026–2027 Update | Developmental (Lifespan) Psychology | Portage Learning | Verified Solutions | Grade A

PSYC140 / PSYC 140 Module 3 Exam Questions and Answers | Latest 2026–2027 Update | Developmental (Lifespan) Psychology | Portage Learning | Verified Solutions | Grade A Q: In which Sensorimotor substage do infants learn to use symbols? Answer Internalization of Schemas Q: Thirteen-month-old Jack is staying with a new babysitter until Mom and Dad return from a date. Jack was not upset when his parents left, and when they return, he basically avoids them. With what attachment style would Ainsworth most likely classify Jack? Answer Insecure Avoidant Attachment (type A) Q: Rooting Reflex Answer involves the baby turning their head when their cheeks or mouth is touched Q: Stepping Reflex Answer involves the infant making stepping motions when held above a surface Q: Moro Reflex Answer is a startle response in which the infant arches their back and throws out their arms and legs Q: Grasping reflex Answer involves the infant grabbing something that touches her palm Q: True or false? Piaget's estimation of the timing of achieving object permanence is now thought to be too pessimistic. Answer True Q: During which Sensorimotor substage do infant reflexes start to go away and infant behavior become more intentional and habit-forming: Primary Circular Reactions, Tertiary Circular Reactions, or Coordination Answer Primary Circular Reactions Q: Which Sensorimotor substage is characterized by experimentation with objects and may even interact with multiple objects: Primary Circular Reactions, Secondary Circular Reactions, or Tertiary Circular Reactions Answer Tertiary Circular Reactions Q: According to Piaget, in which of the sensorimotor stage's substage do infants experiment with toys, such as by playing with an object in different ways? Answer Tertiary Circular Reactions Q: What is the name of the successful outcome of Ainsworth's Strange Situation? Hint: it is an attachment style Answer Secure Attachment Q: During Mary Ainsworth's Strange Situation, name one aspect of the infant or child's behavior that is observed Answer One aspect of the infant or child's behavior that is observed is the reaction to the mother leaving the room Q: nREM (non-REM, or non-rapid eye movement; also known as regular sleep) Answer when the baby is nearly motionless Q: How is an infant's achievement of object permanence related to her ability to bond with her parents? Answer Needs to be able to remember parents in order to attach Q: Baby fat usually peaks at ___________ months of age. Answer nine Q: The __________________ reflex involves a baby turning their head when their cheek is touched. Answer rooting Q: True or False? Infancy is one of the most rapid periods of development across the lifespan Answer True Q: REM stands for rapid eye ____________. Answer movement Q: What are Primary Circular Reactions, according to Piaget? Be sure to describe this in sufficient detail. Also, what specific behaviors can be observed during this substage? Answer During this substage babies are purposefully recreating pleasurable events. For example, thumb sucking starts as reflex but infants learn to suck at will. Behaviors become habits. The infant becomes the primary object and habits are self focused, exploring their own body. Q: REM sleep (also known as irregular sleep) Answer is characterized by uneven breathing. makes up roughly half of an infant's daily sleep pattern Q: The "5 S's" of infant soothing and why do they help? Answer Swaddling, Swinging, Shushing, Sucking, Side position These provide touch that releases endorphins, provide calming "white noise," and mimic the motion the baby experienced in the womb. They also minimize overstimulation the baby might be experiencing. Q: Why might it be important for parents to understand infant sleeping and crying? Answer Knowledge of typical patterns of sleeping and crying can help parents understand their own emotions and minimize frustration at a crying baby to avoid instances of shaken baby syndrome. Q: cephalocaudal patterns of physical development Answer growth starts at the head and works toward the limbs and other body parts Q: proximodistal patterns of physical development Answer growth starts at the trunk and works toward the limbs Q: Scheme (or schema) Answer an organized way of making sense of experience. Our brains categorize information in particular ways so that we remember concepts Q: Assimilation Answer New information is taken into existing schemas. Therefore, the information is changed and assimilated as it is brought in. Information is absorbed into an existing schema. Q: Accommodation Answer Schemas are changed to make sense of incoming information. Thus, the schemas accommodate the new information. Q: Easy children Answer establish routines, are generally happy, and easily adaptable. Q: Difficult children Answer are difficult when establishing routines, not adaptable, and often irritable. Q: Slow-to-warm-up children Answer are fairly inactive, and adjust slowly to novel situations. Their moods tend to be not as positive as the easy children, but not as negative as the difficult children. Q: To what extent do infant temperaments predict adult personality? Answer There is mixed evidence that infant temperament predicts personality. Some factors seem connected, but others do not. Q: What is attachment? How has it been measured? How have researchers understood both nature and nurture affecting attachment? Answer Attachment refers to a close emotional bond. One way of measuring attachment is Ainsworth's strange situation test which allowed her to observe children in situations where they were with their mother and with a stranger. This led to different categorizations of attachment styles and typical patterns of behavior that go along with them. Bowlby and Ainsworth focused on the nurture aspects of attachment, focusing on qualities of the caregivers, but Kagan focused on nature aspects. Q: Which attachment style (Secure, Ambivalent, Avoidant, Disorganized) is thought to be the most problematic? Answer Disorganized Q: Describe the "use it or lose it" principle of brain development. What does this principle suggest for how to promote optimal development Answer The "use it or lose it" principle of brain development suggested that one must continually engage in and practice an ability otherwise he/she may lose it. This principle suggests that practicing the skill can lead to improved performance and optimal development. Q: Factors Affecting Attachment Answer Opportunity for Attachment Quality of Caregiving - Sensitive caregiving - Responsiveness - Warmth Infant Qualities Family Circumstances The module presented multiple factors influencing infant attachment. Name and describe in detail two of these factors. Answer Genetics and Child Temperament can both play a role in infant attachment. Genetics can play a role because some infants might have a "natural instinct" to form an attachment with a caregiver. Temperament plays a role because some infants can adapt more easily to new environments, routines, and people vs others who are more irritable, fussy, and less adaptable. Chess and Thomas conducted the famous longitudinal study on temperament. Answer the following questions about your reactions to this study and subsequent personality studies: What is your reaction to learning about the three temperament types that Chess and Thomas identified? In answering this, be sure to name and describe the temperaments and consider the extent to which you have observed these temperaments occurring in real life? My reaction to learning about Chess and Thomas's three temperament types—easy, difficult, and slow-to-warm-up—was a mix of fascination and recognition. The "easy" temperament, characterized by adaptability, regularity, and positive mood, seemed reflective of individuals who typically exhibit a calm and agreeable demeanor. On the contrary, the "difficult" temperament, marked by irregular habits, intense reactions, and negative mood, resonated with those who may face challenges in adapting to new situations. The "slow-to-warm-up" temperament, displaying a cautious approach initially but warming up over time, appeared akin to individuals who require a longer period to acclimate to new environments. In real life, I have observed instances of these temperaments. For example, some individuals seem naturally adaptable and maintain a positive disposition regardless of the circumstances (easy temperament). Conversely, others may exhibit more pronounced reactions to change or stressors, showcasing traits aligned with a difficult temperament. Additionally, I have encountered individuals who initially appear reserved or cautious but gradually become more comfortable, aligning with the slow-to warm-up temperament. Based on research since the Chess and Thomas study, to what extent do you think infant temperament predicts adult personality? Be sure to support your answer with what you learned from the module and article, rather than opinion alone. Research conducted since the Chess and Thomas study suggests a moderate degree of continuity between infant temperament and adult personality. Longitudinal studies, such as those reviewed in the module and article, indicate that certain temperamental traits displayed in infancy can serve as precursors to specific aspects of adult personality. For instance, infants categorized as "difficult" may exhibit traits associated with neuroticism or emotional instability in adulthood. However, it's crucial to note that temperament is just one factor influencing personality development. Environmental factors, life experiences, and individual choices also play significant roles. While there is evidence of a link between infant temperament and adult personality, the relationship is not deterministic. It highlights a predisposition rather than a fixed outcome, and individuals may still undergo significant changes and adaptations over their lifespan based on various influences. Abby is 18-months old. Abby and her mom are exploring a new daycare. Abby happily plays with toys while her mother talks with the staff. However, when mom goes out of sight, Abby starts to cry. She's immediately soothed when mom comes back. With what attachment style would Ainsworth most likely classify Abby? Secure Secure Attachment (type B) normal for a child to cry and miss their caregiver when they leave the room. Happy when the caregiver comes back. Stranger comes in and you are apprehensive. Desire for proximity and contact, Maintenance of Contact, Positive Response to Reunion, Lack of resistance or Avoidance, Preference for mother over stranger, distress related to mother's absence, and No avoidance of mother Insecure Avoidant Attachment (type A) unconcerned by their mother's absence when she leaves the room. Shows little interest in reuniting with mother. Do not orientate their attachment figure when exploring an environment. Avoidance of proximity and interaction, lack of desire for proximity or contact, no clinging or resistance to release, minimal active resistance to contact, similar treatment of stranger, lack of distress during separation, and possible indifference to being alone Insecure Ambivalent/Resistant Attachment (type C) clingy to their caregiver in new situations. Extremely distressed when alone. Actively resisting interaction with the caregiver. Disorganized Attachment child is showing mental health signs. Out of it. Not interacting well with environment. according to piaget, in which of the sensorimotor stage's substage do infants experiment with toys, such as by playing with an object in different ways? tertiary circular reactions which of the following sensorimotor substages occurs last, according to Piaget: Primary circular reactions, tertiary circular reactions, or coordination of secondary circular reactions A. primary circular reactions B. tertiary circular reactions C.coordination of secondary circular reactions B. tertiary circular reactions Baby fat usually peaks at ________ months of age. nine the ____ reflex involves a baby turning her head when her cheek is touched rooting T/F infancy is one of the most rapid periods of development across the lifespan true REM stands for rapid eye ________ movement T?F two year olds weigh, on average, about 30 pounds true T/F early in life, infants have far more neural connections than they need true T/F gross motor skills generally develop before fine motor skills true T/F Piaget emphasized the role of the individual in constructing knowledge true 18-month-old Marta was really upset when her mom left in the morning for work and cried for a long time at daycare. However, Marta doesn't seem very happy to see mom when she returns. She doesn't hug her back when she tries to hug her while picking her up. Instead, she just grabs onto her leg and stands there while she waits to leave. With what attachment style would Ainsworth most likely classify Marta? anxious-ambivalent how is an infant's achievement of object permanence related to her ability to bond with her parents? needs to be able to remember parents in order to attach the _______ reflex can be observed when infants make stepping motions when help above a table or other surface stepping the ______ reflex can be observed when adult places her finger in an infant's palm, and the infant immediately closes his fingers around the adult finger grasping T/F the palmer grasp is usually pretty flaccid and weak false which of the following sensorimotor substages occurs first according to Piaget A. secondary circular B. simple reflexes C. primary circular B. simple reflexes T/F infants are born with the understanding that objects can exist even if they cant be seen false what is the name of the experimental situation that Mary Ainsworth created to assess attachment? strange situation classification T/F most infants studied in Ainsworth's strange situation are categorized as being securely attached true T/F REM sleep makes up roughly half of an infant's sleep cycle? true T/F infants' heads are disproportionately small compared to the rest of their bodies false the _______ reflex is a startle response in which the infant arches his back and flings out his arms and legs moro choose the correct option from the set of three choices: at birth, in infancy, in early childhood Infants have all or nearly all of their neurons at birth choose the correct option from the set of three choices: at birth, in infancy, in early childhood Neural pruning occurs in early childhood choose the correct option from the set of three choices: at birth, in infancy, in early childhood Rapid connections are made between neurons in infancy which sensorimotor substage is the first one in which an infant can intentionally pick up a toy and intentionally play with it A. primary circular reactions B. secondary circular reactions C. tertiary circular reactions B. secondary circular reactions thirteen-month old Jack is staying with a new babysitter until Mom and Dad return from a date. Jack was not upset when his parents left, and when they return, he basically avoids them. With what attachment stype would Ainsworth most likely classify Jack? Anxious-avoidant T/F Anxious-ambivalent attachment is considered to be a successful attachment style, according to Ainsworth false which attachment style is thought to be the most problematic A. secure B. ambivalent C. avoidant D. disorganized B. ambivalent T/F Shaking a baby can cause brain damage true Little Max is two years old and have a squat trunk and a head that is disproportionately larger than other body patterns. Which infant growth pattern most accurately describes this A. cephalocaudal B. proximodistal A. cephalocaudal in which of the sensorimotor stage's substage do infants develop object permanence internalization of scheme T/F infants are left alone during the second separation phase of the Strange Situation true if a child shows a particular attachment style in infancy (such as Anxious-Ambivalent), will that child definitely show that attachment style in adulthood? No T/F absence of the moro reflex at birth is associated with damage to the central nervous system true during which sensorimotor substage do infant reflexes start to go away and infant behavior become more intentional and habit forming A. primary circular reactions B. tertiary circular reactions C. coordination of secondary circular reactions A. primary circular reactions T/F newborns typically sleep for 16-18 hours a day true Lizzy is two-years-old and is learning to throw a ball and use crayons. However, she has trouble catching balls and her crayon strokes are wide and imprecise. Which infant growth pattern (cephalacaudal or proximodistal) most accurately describes Lizzy's abilities? proximodistal the (cephalocaudal/proximodistal) __________ pattern of physical development can be seen in infants who can grasp a crayon before they can effectively color with one proximodistal T/F the stepping reflex is a reflex that stays with individuals for life false T/F Piaget's estimation of the timing of achieving object permanence is now thought to be too pessimistic true which sensorimotor substage is characterized by experimentation with objects and may even interact with multiple objects A. primary circular reactions B. secondary circular reactions C. tertiary circular reactions C. tertiary circular reactions which infant temperament is associated with the most problems with the infant adjusting to new people and situations difficult T/F two year olds weigh, on average, about 45 pounds false T/F the moro reflex typically disappears after 5 months true what is neural pruning removal of unneeded synaptic connections name two theorists or researchers mentioned in the module as making important contributions to our understanding of infant attachment Bowlby and Ainsworth, Erikson, Harlow, Freud True or false? If the Babinski reflex lingers afer a child is two years old, it is possible that the child has some nerve damage. True True or false? Experts believe that some infant reflexes are present to promote infant survival True What does the critical period for language tell us about language acquisition in early childhood? Answers need to focus on the time frame for hearing spoken language, give the general timeframe (first 5 years), and discuss the inability to acquire language when this timeframe is missed Choose 2 of the following attachment styles: Secure, Anxious- Ambivalent Insecure, and Anxious-Avoidant Insecure. Describe the two in detail, including how the infant would behave during Ainsworth's Strange Situation. Answers need to include the following information about the respective stages, as w Ambivalent: anxious even with caregiver, very upset when caregiver leaves, is resen Question 14 Not yet graded / 10 pts Describe what you learned about infant-parent attachment in the module. The approximate length of the description should be a short paragraph, and it should include sufficient detail on what you learned. Then, describe how your current knowledge on this topic compares to what you knew before taking this module. Finally, describe your views on the following issues: a) how applicable is attachment theory to everyday life and working with infants, and b) what misconceptions about attachment do you think people have, and what is a correct understanding of how to apply this attachment theory? Describe what you learned about infant-parent attachment in the module. The approximate length of the description should be a short paragraph, and it should include sufficient detail on what you learned. Then, describe how your current knowledge on this topic compares to what you knew before taking this module. Finally, describe your views on the following issues: a) how applicable is attachment theory to everyday life and working with infants, and b) what misconceptions about attachment do you think people have, and what is a correct understanding of how to apply this attachment theory? During Mary Answorth, strange situation, name, one aspect of the infant or child behaviour that is observed Anxious-ambivalent attachment. Child behaviour can be cry, looking towards or following the caregiver, but then child feel anxious about the bonds of child and caregiver. In which Sensorimotor substage do infants learn to use symbols? Internalization of Schemas Thirteen-month old Jack is staying with a new babysitter until Mom and Dad return from a date. Jack was not upset when his parents left, and when they return, he basically avoids them. With what attachment style would Ainsworth most likely classify Jack? Insecure Avoidant Attachment (type A) True or false? Piaget's estimation of the timing of achieving object permanence is now thought to be too pessimistic. True During which Sensorimotor substage do infant reflexes start to go away and infant behavior become more intentional and habit-forming: Primary Circular Reactions, Tertiary Circular Reactions, or Coordination Primary Circular Reactions Which Sensorimotor substage is characterized by experimentation with objects and may even interact with multiple objects: Primary Circular Reactions, Secondary Circular Reactions, or Tertiary Circular Reactions Tertiary Circular Reactions What is the name of the successful outcome of Ainsworth's Strange Situation? Hint: it is an attachment style Secure Attachment During Mary Ainsworth's Strange Situation, name one aspect of the infant or child's behavior that is observed One aspect of the infant or child's behavior that is observed is the reaction to the mother leaving the room nREM (non-REM, or non-rapid eye movement; also known as regular sleep) when the baby is nearly motionless How is an infant's achievement of object permanence related to her ability to bond with her parents? Needs to be able to remember parents in order to attach The __________________ reflex involves a baby turning their head when their cheek is touched. rooting True or False? Infancy is one of the most rapid periods of development across the lifespan True What are Primary Circular Reactions, according to Piaget? Be sure to describe this in sufficient detail. Also, what specific behaviors can be observed during this substage? During this substage babies are purposefully recreating pleasurable events. For example, thumb sucking starts as reflex but infants learn to suck at will. Behaviors become habits. The infant becomes the primary object and habits are self focused, exploring their own body. REM sleep (also known as irregular sleep) is characterized by uneven breathing. makes up roughly half of an infant's daily sleep pattern The "5 S's" of infant soothing and why do they help? Swaddling, Swinging, Shushing, Sucking, Side position These provide touch that releases endorphins, provide calming "white noise," and mimic the motion the baby experienced in the womb. They also minimize overstimulation the baby might be experiencing. Why might it be important for parents to understand infant sleeping and crying? Knowledge of typical patterns of sleeping and crying can help parents understand their own emotions and minimize frustration at a crying baby to avoid instances of shaken baby syndrome. cephalocaudal patterns of physical development growth starts at the head and works toward the limbs and other body parts proximodistal patterns of physical development growth starts at the trunk and works toward the limbs Scheme (or schema) an organized way of making sense of experience. Our brains categorize information in particular ways so that we remember concepts Assimilation New information is taken into existing schemas. Therefore, the information is changed and assimilated as it is brought in. Information is absorbed into an existing schema. Accommodation Schemas are changed to make sense of incoming information. Thus, the schemas accommodate the new information. Easy children establish routines, are generally happy, and easily adaptable. Difficult children are difficult when establishing routines, not adaptable, and often irritable. Slow-to-warm-up children are fairly inactive, and adjust slowly to novel situations. Their moods tend to be not as positive as the easy children, but not as negative as the difficult children. To what extent do infant temperaments predict adult personality? There is mixed evidence that infant temperament predicts personality. Some factors seem connected, but others do not. What is attachment? How has it been measured? How have researchers understood both nature and nurture affecting attachment? Attachment refers to a close emotional bond. One way of measuring attachment is Ainsworth's strange situation test which allowed her to observe children in situations where they were with their mother and with a stranger. This led to different categorizations of attachment styles and typical patterns of behavior that go along with them. Bowlby and Ainsworth focused on the nurture aspects of attachment, focusing on qualities of the caregivers, but Kagan focused on nature aspects. Which attachment style (Secure, Ambivalent, Avoidant, Disorganized) is thought to be the most problematic? Disorganized Describe the "use it or lose it" principle of brain development. What does this principle suggest for how to promote optimal development The "use it or lose it" principle of brain development suggested that one must continually engage in and practice an ability otherwise he/she may lose it. This principle suggests that practicing the skill can lead to improved performance and optimal development. Factors Affecting Attachment Opportunity for Attachment Quality of Caregiving - Sensitive caregiving - Responsiveness - Warmth Infant Qualities Family Circumstances The module presented multiple factors influencing infant attachment. Name and describe in detail two of these factors. Genetics and Child Temperament can both play a role in infant attachment. Genetics can play a role because some infants might have a "natural instinct" to form an attachment with a caregiver. Temperament plays a role because some infants can adapt more easily to new environments, routines, and people vs others who are more irritable, fussy, and less adaptable. Based on research since the Chess and Thomas study, to what extent do you think infant temperament predicts adult personality? Be sure to support your answer with what you learned from the module and article, rather than opinion alone. Research conducted since the Chess and Thomas study suggests a moderate degree of continuity between infant temperament and adult personality. Longitudinal studies, such as those reviewed in the module and article, indicate that certain temperamental traits displayed in infancy can serve as precursors to specific aspects of adult personality. For instance, infants categorized as "difficult" may exhibit traits associated with neuroticism or emotional instability in adulthood. However, it's crucial to note that temperament is just one factor influencing personality development. Environmental factors, life experiences, and individual choices also play significant roles. While there is evidence of a link between infant temperament and adult personality, the relationship is not deterministic. It highlights a predisposition rather than a fixed outcome, and individuals may still undergo significant changes and adaptations over their lifespan based on various influences. Abby is 18-months old. Abby and her mom are exploring a new daycare. Abby happily plays with toys while her mother talks with the staff. However, when mom goes out of sight, Abby starts to cry. She's immediately soothed when mom comes back. With what attachment style would Ainsworth most likely classify Abby? Secure List the infant reflexes 1. Moro reflex 2. Babinski reflex 3. stepping reflex 4. rooting reflex 5. grasping reflex/palmer grasp What are the characteristics of the Moro reflex? - startle response - baby arches back, throws out arms and legs - may have survival value What are the characteristics of the Babinski reflex? - response to sole of foot being stroked - big toe bends back toward top of foot, other toes fan out What are the characteristics of the stepping reflex? - response to being held above a surface - baby makes stepping motions - may serve as building block for future development What are the characteristics of the rooting reflex? - response to cheek/mouth being touched - baby turns their head - helps with feeding What are the characteristics of the grasping reflex/palmer grasp? - response to an object being placed in the palm - baby grasps the object - may be a stepping stone to more advanced motor development nREM sleep vs. REM sleep nREM (non-rapid-eye movement) - regular sleep - infant is nearly motionless - amount increases as baby ages REM (rapid eye movement) - irregular sleep - uneven breathing - 1/2 of infant's daily sleep - infants start sleep cycle in REM sleep, which is the opposite of adults List the appropriate ways of soothing 1. swaddling 2. side/stomach position in parent's arms 3. swinging 4. shushing sounds 5. sucking What are the two types of growth? 1. cephalocaudal 2. proximodistal Define cephalocaudal Growth starts from the head down. The brain and skull is the primary site of growth, with brain development being a rich and productive time. By age 2, a child's brain is thick with dendrites. Define proximodistal Growth starts from the center/trunk, then moves to the limbs. This means the focus is first on large muscle development, and then on fine motor skills. What are dendrites? Tree-like branches of neurons What is neural pruning? The infant brain creates more synaptic connections than it needs (overproduction), and trims the ones that aren't being used (use it or lose it principle) in order to help the brain become more efficient. Give an overview of Piaget's sensorimotor stage - sensory + motor - Involves the infant learning about the world through its senses and making gains in motor skills - Consists of 6 sequential substages that build on each other List the sensorimotor substages 1. Simple reflexes 2. First habits and primary circular reactions 3. Secondary circular reactions: 4. Coordination of secondary circular reactions: 5. Tertiary circular reactions: 6. Internalization of schemes: Describe the first sensorimotor substage 1. Simple reflexes: - Automatic behaviors - Building blocks for motor and cognitive development Describe the second sensorimotor substage 2. First habits and primary circular reactions - Behavior is on purpose, self-focused - Do things because they realize they can and they like doing so - Blowing bubbles, opening/closing hand, thumb-sucking Describe the third sensorimotor substage 3. Secondary circular reactions: - Behavior is on purpose, externally focused - Developing mental representations of how things work - Repeat actions, like shaking a rattle Describe the fourth sensorimotor substage 4. Coordination of circular reactions - More coordination, goal-oriented behavior - Combining actions, like pulling a mat with a toy on it so they can reach it Describe the fifth sensorimotor substage 5. Tertiary circular reactions - Experimentation with objects, multiple behaviors - Putting things together, taking things apart, following instructions Describe the sixth sensorimotor substage 6. Internalization of schemes - Can think about objects without seeing them, can think about events without doing them - Develop object permanence List the three temperament types 1. Easy children 2. Difficult children 3. Slow-to-warm-up children Describe easy children - Easy to establish routines and a schedule - Adaptable to schedule changes and new experiences - Tend to be fairly happy children Describe difficult children - Hard to put on a schedule - Don't adapt well to new people and situations - Unpredictable in mood Describe slow-to-warm-up children - Inactive overall - Appear as difficult children in new situations but slowly adjust and improve mood - Don't have easy kids' consistently positive mood Define attachment A close emotional bond between a caregiver and a child Give an overview of Mary Ainsworth's Strange Situation experiment Ainsworth developed an experiment to measure infant attachment that asked the question: how does the child react in a new situation when: - the mother is present - the mother goes away - a stranger enters Based on their reactions, children were categorized into four groups: 1. secure (most common) 2. insecure/anxious-ambivalent resistant 3. anxious-insecure avoidant 4. disorganized (most problematic) What four factors affect attachment? 1. Opportunity for attachment 2. Quality of caregiving 3. Infant qualities 4. Family circumstances What does it mean to have the opportunity for attachment? You must spend time with someone to develop an attachment, but more time isn't always better What three elements make up quality of caregiving? 1. Sensitive caregiving: Caregiving isn't one size fits all 2. Responsiveness: You must be aware of an infant's needs 3. Warmth: There's an expectation of love and positive responses, though not all cultures consider this essential How can family circumstances influence attachment? Poverty, stress, etc., are very impactful and influence how connected infants become to their parents Give an overview of Kagan's theory of attachment - He argued that nature, not nurture, plays a key role and that temperament and genetics are crucial. - His position is that some children do better with less physical contact, such as those with autism, and in those cases it's unfair to blame parents for insecure attachment. rooting reflex infant turns their head when cheek or mouth is touched. Aids feeding as the infant finds something to suck Moro reflex A startle response in which the infant arches their back and throws out their arms and legs Grasping reflex (palmar reflex) the infant is grabbing something that touches their palm Stepping reflex the infant makes stepping motions when held above a surface In which sensorimotor substage does an infant develop the ability to use symbols? 6. Internalization of Schemes During which sensorimotor substages do infant reflexes go away and infant behavior becomes more intentional and habit-forming? 2. Primary circular reactions 18-month old Marta was really upset when her mom left in the morning for work and cried for a long time at daycare. However, Marta doesn't seem very happy to see mom when she returns. She doesn't hug her while picking her up. Instead, she just grabs onto her leg and stands there while she waits to leave. With what attachment style would Ainsworth most likely classify Marta? Anxious-Ambivalent T/F: Anxious-Ambivalent attachment is considered to be a successful attachment style according to Ainsworth? False 13 Month old Jack is staying with a new babysitter until Mom and Dad return from a date. Jack was not upset when his parents left, and when they return he basically avoids them. With what attachment style would Ainsworth most likely classify Jack? Anxious-Avoidant Absence of the Moro reflex at birth is associated with what? Damage to the Central Nervous System baby fat usually peaks at what month of age? 9 Months What is a "schema" according to Piaget? An organized way of making sense of experiences When do infants have all or nearly all of their neurons? at birth when does neural pruning occur? Early childhood When are rapid connections made between neurons Infancy Easy infant temperament very sociable, easy to adjust to new situations and routines Slow to warm up infant temperament start out behaving like a difficult child and adjust overtime Difficult infant temperament difficult when establishing routines, not adaptable and often irritable compare and contrast: Assimilation and Accommodation Both assimilation and accommodation exist within a scheme. In assimilation the existing schema is used to handle a new experience. In accommodation, the existing schema doesn't work for the new experience so it changes to accommodate the new experience Give an example of Assimilation an infant whose only had experience with his small pet dog. She understands that a dog is small and has 4 legs. When she sees a larger dog, she is able to take in this new information and modify the idea she has of what a dog should look like Give an example of Accommodation The infant now understands that there are larger 4 legged dogs. She then goes to a farm and sees horses, goats, sheep and llamas. Her old schema wouldn't work because they are not dogs. She changes it to realize that all 4 legged animals are not dogs Appropriate ways of soothing a crying baby the "5 S's" swaddling, side/stomach position in parents arms, shushing sounds, sucking what are the 2 types of growth sequences to describe infant growth patterns? Cephalocaudal and Proximodistal Proximodistal growth starts at the center of the body and moves toward the extremities. EX: gross motor (large muscle) development occurs before fine motor (dexterity) skills develop Cephalocaudal Growth starts at the head and works towards the limbs and other body parts. In normal infant development the brain and the skull are the primary locations of growth then the limbs and other body parts will become primary sites of growth Overproduction Infant brains have far more synaptic connections than they need neural pruning the used synaptic connections are strengthened and stay and the unneeded ones are lost/ destroyed critical periods periods for information that we learn. If we don't learn the information within a specific span of time, our brains won't develop in the ways that they should 1. Simple Reflexes (birth to 1 month) infants have involuntary reflexes that provide them with a building block to motor and cognitive development when it becomes intentional 2. First habits and primary circular reactions (1 to 4 months) On purpose and self focused. The infant tries to recreate a pleasurable event that happened by accident. Since they aren't using toys yet they explore their own bodies tho achieve this stage. (EX: thumb sucking) 3. Secondary Circular Reactions (4-8 months) focused on the world that the infant lives in. they create a mental picture of how things work to form their future behaviors and decisions (a scheme) 4. Coordination of secondary circular reactions (8-12 months) Goal oriented. The infant knows what they want and tries to get it. this can be very frustrating for the infant so a lot of crying may occur at this stage. 5. Tertiary circular reactions (12-18 months) the infant is a little researcher. They are experimenting and trying new things. EX: - first, the infant shakes the rattle -another time he throws it -each time he throws it, it lands differently - he keeps throwing it to see what happens 6. Internalization of schemes (18-24 months) the infant is now able to use symbols and gain the ability of object permanence. (EX: peek-a-boo) Object Permanence (Piaget) the understanding that an object is still there even when they cant see it nREM sleep (non-rapid eye movement sleep) regular sleep; the baby is nearly motionless and increases as they get older REM sleep (Rapid eye movement sleep) characterized by uneven breathing; makes up for roughly half of an infant's daily sleep patterns John Bowlby's Attachment Theory Said that it is crucial for infants to develop close bonds with caregivers within the first year of life. Failure to do so results in serious emotional consequences for the infant. Believed attachment is a all or nothing process When does separation anxiety peak? between 6 and 24 months. Prior to 6 months infants typically don't have a strong bond with their caregivers attachment behaviors crying, searching for parent, reaching toward parent, following parent (this is natural healthy behavior) Mary Ainsworth created the "Strange Situation Classification (SSC)" to investigate how attachments vary btwn children. Famous for building upon Bowlby's theories and believed that infants who develop secure attachments had caregivers who are appropriately responsive. 3 main attachment styles secure, insecure avoidant, insecure ambivalent/resistant (also disorganized) Secure attachment (70%) healthy relationship with caregiver, shows appropriate distress when left alone, positive and happy when caregiver returns, uses caregiver as a safe base to explore their environment Insecure-avoidant attachment caregiver is indifferent to the needs of the infant, unconcerned by separation and avoid contact at return of caregiver, willing to explore, low stranger anxiety Insecure-resistant/ambivalent attachment caregiver is unsure to the needs of infant , upset by separation and seek and reject contact on return of caregiver, high stranger anxiety, unwilling to explore Dsorganized attachment shows a mix of resistant and avoidant behavior, notable for their "dazed and confused" behavior, appear to be nervous and confused around caregiver, associated with potential child abuse on part of the caregiver