Lecture 3: Infancy + Prenatal Development

• What is the focus of psychologists investigating pre and neonatal development?


  Understanding the context of early psychological development
• Why is the study of pre and neonatal development important?


  It provides insights into the building blocks of healthy physical and intellectual development
• During which period does the most rapid change and growth in humans occur?

  From the prenatal period to the first 2 years of life
• What are the key terms related to early human development?

  • Foetus: Offspring before birth (prenatal)
  • Neonate: A newborn (birth to 4 weeks)
  • Infant: Up to 1 year
  • Toddler: 1-3 years
  • Preschooler: 3-5 years
• What is a popular idea about the womb's environment?


  The womb is seen as a haven of peace and quiet
• How has knowledge about prenatal development changed in the last 20-30 years?


  It has progressed extensively due to advances in technology
• At what gestational age do the nose, mouth, and palate begin to differentiate?


  5½ weeks
• When do rudimentary eyes and ears begin to form in a foetus?


  By 9 weeks
• What is the visual experience of a foetus like?


  It is minimal, but not totally dark
• When does a foetus begin to move spontaneously?


  At 5-6 weeks
• How does a foetus respond to maternal movement by full-term?


  It shows differences in heart rate
• What evidence suggests that a foetus can detect flavors?


  Foetuses ingest more amniotic fluid when sweetened by saccharin
• How does amniotic fluid relate to a foetus's sense of smell?


  It takes on odours that come into contact with the foetus's odour receptors
• What sounds can a foetus hear during pregnancy?


  Mother's voice and sounds in the prenatal environment
• When does a foetus start responding to sounds?


  From the 6th month of pregnancy
• What was the belief about the human foetus in the 1700s?


  That it lived in a world isolated from stimulation
• How did beliefs about foetal stimulation change from the 1800s to now?


  Now, it is believed that all senses are open to stimulation before birth
• What are some maternal factors that can affect prenatal development?


  Poor nutrition, alcohol, and drug use
• What is the risk associated with heavy drinking during pregnancy?


  It can lead to Foetal Alcohol Syndrome
• How can cocaine use during pregnancy affect the foetus?


  It can narrow blood vessels to the placenta, affecting oxygen and nutrient levels
• What is the relationship between maternal stress and prenatal development?


  Higher stress can lead to higher cortisol levels passed to the foetus
• What is the link between maternal stress during pregnancy and ADHD?


  Maternal stress is related to a higher risk of ADHD in children
• How does prenatal exposure to flavors affect postnatal behavior?


  Infants show a clear preference for flavors they were exposed to in the womb
• What happens when a foetus is exposed to a prose passage regularly read in the womb?


  They show preferential sucking over an unfamiliar passage
• How does prenatal exposure to the maternal voice affect the foetus?


  It leads to different basal heart rates in response to the maternal voice versus other female voices
• What is the effect of prenatal exposure to native language on newborns?


  Newborns show a preference for the language they heard in the womb
• How do newborns rely on caregivers?


  They are totally reliant on caregivers for survival
• What capabilities do newborns possess?


  They have impressive behavioral and sensory capabilities
• Are babies born social and ready for engagement?

  Yes, they show signs of early sociality
• What are some early social behaviors seen in newborns?


  They show predispositions to respond to others and engage in relationships
• What is the palmar grasp reflex?


  It is a reflex where infants grasp objects placed in their palms
• What is the significance of neonatal reflexes?


  They are related to survival and engagement
• What is imprinting according to Konrad Lorenz?


  It is when newly hatched ducklings bond with the first moving object they encounter
• What did John Bowlby propose about children's attachment behaviors?


  Children are biologically pre-programmed to form attachments with others
• How do newborns show preferences for faces?


  They prefer faces over non-face stimuli
• What are some methods used in infant research?

  Behavioral measures like tracking, habituation, and sucking
• How do newborns respond to interesting sounds or sights?


  They will turn their eyes or heads in that direction
• What happens during habituation in infants?


  Looking time decreases when repeatedly shown a stimulus
• What is High-Amplitude Sucking used for?


  To measure speech perception in newborns and young infants
• What did Goren, Sarty & Wu (1975) study in newborns?


  They examined responsiveness to different stimuli