Introduction to Psychology

Lifespan Development

Childhood Disorders

Pica

ADHD

Autism

Conduct Disorder

Pica

Eating inedible substances Often in kids with developmental disabilities

Risk factors: Family disorganization Nutritional deficiencies Behavior is being unintentionally reinforced

ADHD

Hyperactivity Inability to focus/concentrate

5x more likely in boys than girls

ADHD

Hyperactive Type

Inattentive Type

Combined Type

Social/cultural construction?

Autism

Developmental disorder/communication disorder

Neurobiological

1 in 150 are diagnosedBoys are 4x more likely than girls

Autism

“spectrum” disorder

Lost in their private worlds

Impaired social interaction

Sensory difficulties

Autism

Purposeless/repetitive movements

Echolalia

Attachment to objects

Autism

Early diagnosis/interventionLack of eye contactNo pointing

Behavior modificationNutritional interventions? Medication?

Encopresis/enuresis

Bathroom accidents

May be age inappropriate

Sometimes related to trauma

Conduct Disorder

Aggression

Animal cruelty

Fire setting

Conduct Disorder

Lying

Coercion/manipulative behavior

Rule violations

Little remorse

CD vs. ODD

The stigma of labels

Labels as a self-fulfilling prophesy?

Adolescence

Adolescence is constructed differently across cultures

Different traits/attributes are seen as desirable, based on cultural context

Adolescence

Puberty: the biological event associated with adolescence

Body image:Boys become more satisfiedGirls become less satisfied

Erik Erikson: (1903-1994) Psychosocial Dilemmas Psychosocial stages

At each stage, a “crisis”

The stages are relational

Major events in a typical life

Assumptions:

Broad similarities across individuals during life stages

Developmental tasks

Developmental milestones

The Impact on Development

The manner in which we resolve the crises has implications for our future development

Stages

Trust vs. Mistrust (age 1)

Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt (age 1-3)

Initiative vs. Guilt (age 4-6)

Stages

Industry vs. Inferiority (age 6-12)

Identity vs. Role Confusion (Adolescence)

Intimacy vs. Isolation (Young Adulthood)

Stages

Generativity vs. Stagnation (Middle Adulthood)

Integrity vs. Despair (Late Adulthood)

Reactions to Erikson’s Theory?

A Western framework?

Relevant to all?

Appropriate age ranges?

Lawrence Kohlberg:Moral Development Piagetian tradition

Use of hypothetical moral dilemmashow do we reason about morality?

Exclusively male

Levels of Moral Development

Pre-conventional: moral thinking classified by the consequences

Conventional: desire to please others; follow socially prescribed rules

Post-conventional: self-accepting moral principles

Preconventional

Stage 1: Obedience and Punishment Orientation Choices based on possible punishments We must obey rules without question

“it’s against the law; it’s bad to steal” Why? “Because you’ll get in trouble” “it’s okay if he stole it, because he won’t get punished”

Preconventional

Stage 2: Individualism vs. Exchange Pleasure seeking; self interest; helping others only if it

will benefit you Other people have different viewpoints; all relative

“Heinz thinks it’s okay, the druggist doesn’t” “Heinz was right, but the druggist should make him

work at the store to make the money back”

Conventional

Stage 3: Good interpersonal relationshipsGood boy/good girl: pleasing others/being

nice to gain approvalConcern for motives, concern for others

“Heinz was right, he had good intentions”“The druggist was selfish and greedy”

Conventional

Stage 4: Maintaining the Social OrderAuthority orientation; order, upholding the lawConcern for society as a whole

“Heinz was acting to save his wife, but if we all stole, society would be in chaos”

Post conventional

Stage 5: Social contract and individual rights Support of rules, but rules are open to question Democratic values Social contract between people and society

“While stealing is not ideal, Heinz was ultimately correct in his decision; his wife’s life was on the line, and life is more important than property”

Post conventional

Stage 6: Universal Principlesself chosen ethical principlesJustice and equalityPerspective taking

Civil disobedienceBecame a theoretical stage

How do people reason?

Pre-conventional: kids and delinquents

Conventional: older kids and most adults

Post-conventional: 20% of the adult population

Carol Gilligan

Justice or Caring?

Critique of Kohlberg:Emphasis on justiceMen did better than women

What about the ethic of caring?

Ethic of caring

Gilligan: women look for altruistic solutions that benefit everyone

Research: little to no difference in male/female decision making

Cross-cultural vs. Cultural

Cross-cultural: comparing cultures based on one culture’s ideas

Cultural: immersing oneself in a culture; measure the culture based on its own ideas/values