PSY338 Psychology of Infancy

PSY338 Psychology of Infancy

INDEPENDENT STUDY

Read each of the questions below carefully. Once you have read and analyzed each question, write the complete answer in essay format

1. Your friends have a new baby girl named Kaycee and they have told you that they can’t wait to raise her because they will create a wonderful environment that Kaycee will love. For example, they will never let Kaycee watch worthless shows on television, and she will love to read because they will read to her all the time when she is a baby. What can you tell your friends about the issue of the child being active versus passive in her development?

1. Heredity and environment interact dynamically throughout development.  We know that a genotype is expressed differently when it is exposed to a different environment.  We also know that the environment can trigger genetic expression.  Explain this constant connection between nature and nurture.  Be sure to give examples and discuss epigenesist in your explanation.

1. What are some birth complications? Briefly describe the key features of each.

1. What does the Apgar score measure?  Consider the following newborn:  Philip is a 6 pound, 7 ounce boy whose pulse is 108.  His hands and feet are blue.  His grasp is weak.   He has been crying loudly.  He made a weird face when his reflexes were tested but he did not sneeze or cough.  What would Philip’s overall Apgar score be?  Show your work – explain how you got your answer.

1. Describe the five general principles that describe the brain’s specialization as children develop.

1. Your friends Jack and Jill are the parents of a new baby boy. Jill has relatives who have some hearing impairment, so they are worried about their son’s hearing. What can you tell Jack and Jill about the signs of hearing impairment that they should watch for in their son?

1. You have been watching your friend Deb trying to teach her son Sean how to do a puzzle. Sean has done this puzzle many times and he usually just needs help with the pieces that are in a difficult area that is all black. Deb is trying to help Sean but her instructions would be appropriate for a child who has never done the puzzle before. What can you tell Deb about Vygotsky’s theory, in general, and scaffolding, in particular, that might help her teach Sean in more effective ways?

1. Your friend, Jason, is a concerned father and he would like to do all that he can to help his 4-year-old daughter, Gwen, learn to read.  What can you tell Jason about pre-reading skills that are related to more skilled reading in first grade?