Table of Contents

Course Guide ix–xiv

Topic 1 History, Theory and Research Methods in Child Psychology 1

1.1 What is Child Psychology? 2
1.2 Historical Views of Children 3
1.3 Theories about Child Psychology 5
1.3.1 Five General Perspectives in Child Psychology 5
1.4 Issues Revolving Around the Theories 19
1.5 Research Methods to Study Children 21
1.5.1 How are Child Psychology Studies Researched? 21
1.5.2 General Designs for Research 23
1.5.3 Ethical Concerns when Doing Research with 26
Young Children
Summary 27
Key Terms 28
References 28

Topic 2 Heredity and Environment 30

2.1 Biological Beginning 31
2.1.1 Forming a New Life 31
2.1.2 Mechanism of Heredity 33
2.2 Heredity and Environment 39
2.2.1 Behavioural Genetics 39
2.2.2 How Heredity and Environment Work Together 40
2.3 Heredity and Environment Interactions 41
2.3.1 Reaction Range 41
2.3.2 Canalisation 42
2.3.3 Genetic-environmental Correlation 42
2.3.4 Environmental Influences on Gene Expression 43
2.4 Conclusion 44
Summary 44
Key Terms 45
References 45

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Topic 3 Prenatal Development and Birth 47

3.1 Prenatal Development 49
3.1.1 Course of Prenatal Development 50
3.2 Risk Factors that Affect Prenatal Development 55
3.2.1 General Risk Factors 55
3.2.2 Teratogens: Drugs, Diseases and Environmental 58
Hazards
3.3 Birthing 61
3.3.1 Complications during Birth 62
Summary 63
Key Terms 64
References 64

Topic 4 Infancy: Sensation, Perception and Learning 67

4.1 The Newborn 68
4.1.1 What are Reflexes? 68
4.1.2 Sleeping and Awakening Pattern 70
4.1.3 Crying 72
4.1.4 Soothing Babies 72
4.2 Sensation, Perception and Learning 73
4.2.1 Sensation and Perception 73
4.2.2 Learning 77
Summary 81
Key Terms 82
References 82

Topic 5 Child Growth: Brain, Body, Motor Skills and Sexual Maturation 86
5.1 The Brain 87
5.1.1 Brain Structure 88
5.1.2 Brain Plasticity in Early Childhood 90
5.1.3 Genetics and Environment Interact 91
5.1.4 Deprivation 92
5.2 Physical and Motor Development 93
5.2.1 Physical Development 93
5.2.2 Motor Development 94
5.2.3 Sequential and Timing of Physical and Motor 94
Development of Young Children
5.2.4 Role of Culture in Physical Development 96

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5.3 Sexual Maturation 96

5.3.1 Differences between Girls and Boys in Puberty 97
5.3.2 Factors Determining Timing of Puberty 98
5.3.3 Some Related Problems 99
Summary 99
Key Terms 100
References 101

Topic 6 Emotional Development and Attachment 103

6.1 Emotional Development 104
6.1.1 What is Emotional Development? 105
6.1.2 EriksonÊs Developmental Theory 106
6.1.3 Early Emotional Development 108
6.1.4 Empathy 114
6.2 Attachment 115
6.2.1 Attachment Theories 115
6.2.2 How is Attachment Developed? 117
6.2.3 Why is Attachment Important? 118
6.2.4 Signs of Attachment 118
6.2.5 Can Children Develop Multiple Attachment 119
Relationships?
Summary 120
Key Terms 121
References 121

Topic 7 Language and Communication 124

7.1 Beginning of Communication 126
7.2 What is Language? 127
7.2.1 How is Language Acquired? 127
7.2.2 Stages of Language Development 131
7.2.3 Sensitive Periods 135
7.2.4 Importance of Early Experiences 135
Summary 138
Key Terms 139
References 139

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Topic 8 Cognitive Development 141

8.1 PiagetÊs Cognitive Theory 142
8.1.1 PiagetÊs Theory of Cognitive Development 142
8.1.2 Stages of Cognitive Development 143
8.1.3 Critiques of PiagetÊs Theory 147
8.2 VygotskyÊs Sociocultural Theory 148
8.2.1 VygotskyÊs Sociocultural Cognitive Theory 149
8.2.2 Implication in Classroom Practices 151
8.3 Information Processing Approach 152
8.3.1 Exploring Information Processing Approach 152
8.3.2 Memory 154
8.3.3 Solving Problems 156
Summary 157
Key Terms 159
References 159

Topic 9 Intelligence and Achievement 161

9.1 Intelligence 162
9.1.1 What is Intelligence? 163
9.1.2 Intelligence, Infant and Achievement Tests 165
9.2 Single or Multiple Intelligences? 169
9.2.1 GardnerÊs Multiple Intelligences 170
9.2.2 SternbergÊs Triarchi Theory 172
9.3 Heridity or Environmental 174
9.4 Extremes of Intelligence: Mental Retardation and 177
Giftedness
Summary 180
Key Terms 180
References 181

Topic 10 The Family 183

10.1 Family Structure 184
10.2 Ecological Systems Theory 185
10.3 The Parents 190
10.3.1 Socialisation within the Family 190
10.3.2 Traits of a Successful Family 193
10.4 Socioeconomic and Ethnic Variations in Child-rearing 194
10.5 FatherÊs Involvement 196
10.6 Divorced Parents 197
10.7 Siblings 199
Summary 201
Key Terms 202
References 202

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