Developmental Psychology Foundations
Ever wonder how you grew from a tiny embryo into the person you are today? Developmental psychology studies these changes from conception to death, tracking our journey through predictable stages.
Your life began in the germinal period (conception to 2 weeks) when you were just a rapidly dividing zygote implanting into the uterine wall. The embryonic period 2−8weeks followed, where your brain, spine, and major organs began forming. During the fetal period (8 weeks until birth), your brain continued developing while your body refined its structures and gained weight.
Environmental dangers called teratogens can harm prenatal development, which is why pregnant women avoid certain substances. After birth, infants develop different attachment styles with caregivers: secure attachment (confident exploration with caregiver present), avoidant attachment (little interest in caregiver), or ambivalent attachment (mixed feelings about caregiver).
Think About It: The way you bonded with your parents as a baby might influence your relationships today. Most infants (about 65%) develop secure attachments, giving them confidence to explore their world.
According to Piaget's theory, children's thinking develops through distinct stages. In the sensorimotor stage (birth to 2 years), babies learn through senses and movement. During the preoperational stage 2−7years, children think symbolically but lack logical reasoning. The concrete operational stage 7−11years brings logical thinking about tangible objects and experiences.