egg. PSYCHOLOGY Study of human behavior from prenatal In 36 hours, Zygote to old age. divides into two.
“Early experiences are essential in the critical After 2 days, 2 cells
period of development” become 4 cells.
Konrad Z. Lorenz (1937) – Austrian zoologist. In 3 days, 4 cells
Conducted experiment on goslings and become a compact ball concluded their inborn tendency to follow an of 16-32 cells. object which they are first exposed to. This is called “imprinting” which is also true with In 4 to 5 days, inner human beings, who develop attachment of early cell mass (blastocyst) caregivers. is still free in the uterus. Harry Frederick Harlow – American psychologist, who conducted experiments on In 11 to 15 days infant monkey and concluded that monkeys who blastocyst is implanted were socially deprived manifested into uterine wall. aggressiveness and fearful responses. Creation of the zygote. “Social deprivation in the early years of life Continued cell division. can severely disrupt later social and sexual Attachment of zygote to the behavior”. uterine wall. PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT b. Embryonic Period – 2 to 8 weeks after conception Prenatal Period: Where Life Begins Embryo – mass cells zygote Characterized by rapid changes. Two layers of cells are formed: Most dramatic gains in height & weight Inner layer or the ENDODERM of entire lifespan. – develops into the digestive From a microscopic cell to a 20-inch and respiratory organs neonate (newborn) in just 9 months. Outer layer or the ECTODERM Weight at birth is a billion times heavier and MESODERM than at conception. Ectoderm – outer most layer; Stages of Prenatal Development: becomes the nervous system; a. Germinal Period – First 2 weeks after sensory receptors (eyes, ears, conception. and nose); skin parts (nails & hair). Conception – a single sperm cell (male) penetrates the outer coating Mesoderm – Middle layer; of the egg (female) and fuses to becomes the circulatory, form ONE FETILIZED EGG. skeletal, muscular, excretory and reproductive systems. Growth and development continue dramatically during this period.
ORGANOGENESIS – the process
of organ formation during the first two months of pre-natal development. The support systems for the embryo also develops rapidly: Placenta – consist of a disk- shaped group of tissues in which small blood vessels from the mother and the offspring intertwine but do not join. For exchange of nutrients (but sometimes, harmful substances a. 3 months after conception too). About 3 inches long, weighs Umbilical cord – Contains two about 1 ounce arteries and one vein that Fetus has become active connects the baby to placenta Moves its arms and legs Amnion – A bag or an envelope Opens and closes its mouth that contains a clear fluid in Moves its head which the developing embryo Face, forehead, eyelids, nose, floats chin can now be distinguished Also the upper arms, lower At about 6 weeks the large neural arms, hands & lower limbs. tubes is noticeable as well as the Genitals can now be identified formation of heart and other internal as male or female. organs.
Cell differentiation intensifies
Life-support systems for the embryo develop Organs appear b. 4 months after conception About 6 inches long, 4 to 7 c. Fetal Period – 2 months to 7 months ounces after conception. Pre-natal reflexes are 2. Age – the mother’s age can affect stronger prenatal development. Mother feels arm and leg Teen mothers are at risk of movement for the first time. miscarriages. Women who are between 25 and 35 are healthy and have better health care. Women above 35 are more likely to experience difficulties in pregnancy and highly susceptible to miscarriage. 3. Rest and Exercise – chronic stress and inability to rest, exercise and eat properly can weaken a pregnant woman’s immune system. 4. Tetranogens – drugs, illness and environmental hazards Ingesting substances like alcohol, aspirin, caffeine, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, or nicotine could contribute to c. 5 months after conception mental retardation, fetal alcohol syndrome, and cognitive About 12 in., almost a pound impairment in the infant. Fingernails, toenails have Diseases like venereal disease, formed AIDS, and German measles, can Fetus is more active lead to neurological disorders, encephalitis, deafness, or d. 6 months after conception blindness in the infant. 14 inches long, about 1-1/2 Exposure to hazards like lead, pound mercury, and –ray, can cause Eye & eyelids are completely mental retardation, cerebral formed palsy, or leukemia in the infant. Grasping reflex are present Irregular movements occur POSTNATAL DEVELOPMENT (after birth)
e. 7 to 9 months THE NEW BORN
Fetus grow longer Gains substantial weight Human babies are born with good motor About 4 pounds coordination and highly acute sensory capabilities. They are born completely helpless, Prenatal Care totally dependent on their parents. Though 1. Nutrition – a balance diet is important. human infants are the most helpless and It must have protein, vitamins, and immature when they come to this world, their minerals. sensory development is mature and well When pregnant woman does not integrated even before birth. Human infants may provide these nourishments, the not be able to direct their course of movement in infant is likely to be born their environment at birth. But they can perceive prematurely and tend to be and be influenced by that environment from the underweight. moment of birth. Different kinds of reflexes and motor activities help newborn babies to survive The initial reflexes are controlled by after birth. sub-cortical brain structures and that when control shifts to the developing cortex; the Motor skills and reflexes behavior becomes voluntary and must be learned. 1. Motor skills Language Development Example: Feeding requires the coordination of Infants begin life with no language other than three separate activities i.e. sucking, swallowing their cries and grunts. As their language and breathing. mechanism matures, they learn to make more and more sounds. They begin to comprehend the 2. Reflexes meaning of words they hear then use these sounds as language. 2.1 Grasping reflex-the meaning is not clear. But it could be a remnant of our At about one year, babies learn to say their first pre-human past. word. Nouns are learned first, then verbs, adjectives, and adverbs, with pronouns Its adaptive significance is that it keeps appearing last. an infant from falling and increases the chance of survival. Language ability depends on maturation and other factors. Children who start to talk earlier, Prehension refers to grasping objects. on the average, will later prove to be more Its simplest form is palmar grasping. intelligent. Girls generally learn to talk a little earlier than boys. Single children also tend to “A baby learns to reach before he can talk earlier than twins. grasp with his thumb and fingertips.” Those with a more stimulating home 2.2 Rooting reflex- it is the most familiar environment generally make more rapid form of reflex. It is the tendency to turn progress in language development than those the head in the direction of any object with a poorer environment. that gently stimulates the cheek or the corner of the mouth. Its adaptive significance is that it enables the infant Prepared by: Ramon M. Montesor Jr. to suck its mother’s breast.
2.3. Reaching reflex- in the first few weeks
of life, babies reach out for objects they see. At times they successfully grasp them. This eye-hand coordination is lost at about four weeks. It reappears after four months.
2.4. Swimming reflex-a baby only a few
weeks old moves both arms and legs in a coordinated pattern when placed in a pool of water. It soon disappears and reappears at the beginning of the second year. This again disappears and children are taught the skill of swimming at age six.