Developmental Psychology

Nature vs. Nurture
Nature: you were born that way
Nurture: the way you were raised

Physical Development:

• focus on your physical changes over time.

Prenatal Development

• conception begins with the drop of an egg and the release of about 200 million sperm.
•  The sperm seeks out the egg and attempts to penetrate the egg surface.
• Once the sperm penetrates the egg, we have a fertilized egg called the zygote.

The Zygote

• 1st stage of prenatal development. Last about 2 weeks and consists of rapid cell division.
• After two weeks, the zygote develops into an embryo.

The Embryo

• Lasts about 6 weeks
• The heart begins to beat, and organs begin to develop.

The Fetus

• By 9 weeks, we have a fetus.

Teratogens: chemical agents that can harm the prenatal environment.


Reflexes: inborn automatic responses..... 2 types.

1. Rooting Reflex: a baby's tendency when touched on the cheek, to open the mouth and search for the nipple.
2. Grasping Reflex: trying to grasp everything in reach.

Maturation: physical growth regardless of environment.
Puberty: period of sexual maturation during which a person becomes capable of reproducing.
Primary Sexual Characteristics: body's structures that make reproduction possible.
Secondary Sexual Reproduction: non reproductive sexual characteristics.

Landmarks for Puberty

• menarche for girls (1st period)
• spermarche for boys (first ejaculation)

Physical Milestone
Menopause: stop having menstrual cycles