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Developmental Psychology Timeline

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    Prenatal Development & Birth

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    First Two Years

    Biosocial: Body changes in height, weight, and increase in head circumference. Complexity of the brain increases, especially with experience. All senses and motor skills improve after birth.
    Cognitive: Sensorimotor intelligence develops in six stages, gradually developing an understanding of objects, processing information, and learning language
    Psychosocial: Emotion developement occurs, including contentment and distress, fear, and selective emotions (anger, happy, etc.)
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    Early Childhood

    Biosocial: Body growth continues but at a slower rate. Brain growth and development also continue and myelination is substantial. Motor skills are even further improved.
    Cognitive: Egocentric, illogical perspective, preventing the grasping of concepts such as conservation. Language abilities develop rapidly.
    Psychosocial: Self-esteem is high and self-concept emerges. Parenting styles begin to show through childs actions. Stereyotypic boy/girl concepts are formed
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    Middle Childhood

    Biosocial: Increase in independence and self-care and physical activity should aid health and joy during this time. Brain development continues, enhancing every aspect.
    Cognitive: Egocentrism diminishes and logical thinking begins. Important lessons are learned from peers and adults. Language learning improves.
    Psychosocial: More independent and capable in many ways. Both family and friends begin to emotionally impact one self. Morals begin to form/play a role
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    Adolescence

    Biosocial: Puberty begins, which includes body and brain growth, and increase in sexuality. Growth requires adequate nutrition and impulsive actions occur.
    Cognitive: New ability to use abstract logic (hypothetical and deductive). Egocentrism, intuitive, experimental thinking that overcomes logic increases.
    Psychosocial: The search for identity takes over and ones relationships are tested. Emotions often lead to problems within household and with friends.
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    Emerging Adulthood

    Biosocial: Body is strong, healthy, and active. Homeostasis protects against too much stress in any one system, and sexual and reproductive potential are at their peak of the entire life span.
    Cognitive: Postformal thought occurs as well as a continuation of advanced critical thinking through tertiary education.
    Psychosocial: Still searching for identity, but more stable. Intimacy of friendships grow in importance as well as the search for romantic partners. Still connected to ones family.
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    Adulthood

    Biosocial: Ageism is prevalent and insidious. All senses eventually decline and every disease becomes for common. Exercise and healthy eating greatly slows the aging process.
    Cognitive: Problems in short-term but not in long-term memory. Life review helps understand their rold in human experience.
    Psychosocial: Still active, friendships are loyal, marriages are supportive, and relationships with grown children and grandchildren are satisfying.
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    Late Adulthood

    Biosocial: Ageism is prevalent and insidious, with both primary and secondary aging increase in morbidity.
    Cognitive: Apparent issurs in short-term memory but not in long-term. Various diseases such as Alzheimer's or Dementia may occure (with history, etc.). Interest and ability in the arts may increase with age, as well as being spiritual.
    Psychosocial: Being fairly active is common and long- time marriages become supportive. Depending on others for care may occure at this time.
  • Death/Dying

    Dying and Acceptance: People who are dying need to be treated with honesty and respect. Their emotions may change over time (move from denial to acceptance). A living will and a health care proxy are recommended for everyon.
    Bereavment: Variations of grief and mourning are wide (rituals or religious expressions).