Developmental Psychology - Assignment Example

Developmental Psychology Define Autism and Asperger’s syndromes. Autism is a subtle yet very devastating neurobiological abnormality which can be either high-functioning or low-functioning. The condition can be noticed in childhood but it is not confined to development phase rather it has lifelong implications. Autism is normally noticed by the parents when the child approaches the age of three (Capps et al., 1993). On the other hand, Asperger syndrome is considered as an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) where language development together with the cognitive development takes place to a certain extent.2. What are the differences of language learning in early and middle childhood?

Language is the medium of communication. Human beings are bestowed with the ability to communicate and express their feelings according to the circumstances they are being exposed. Language development starts right when the child is in the womb. Mothers keep communicating with the child and child recognizes the voice and intonation of the mother. However, early childhood is the phase where child gets acquainted with the surroundings and is inquisitive to know about things in the vicinity. This is the phase of development where vocabulary is formed, depending upon the language parents speak.

Sometimes parents call most of the things in the manner which the child can easily pronounce. For instance, water which is frequently asked by the child is called "mumum" in certain language as the child speaks m with ease. At this stage grammar is not important but correct vocabulary is imperative. As the child grows, to the middle childhood grammar usage, sentence construction together with the vocabulary development becomes important and hence the child gradually gains command over the language and gains ability of self-expression in an appropriate manner. 3. How does metacognition affect the ability to learn something new?

According to Flavell (1976), metacognition refers to ".the individuals own awareness and consideration of his or her cognitive process and strategies. It refers to that uniquely human capacity of people to be self-reflexive, not just to think and know but to think about their own thinking and knowing" (Thinking about Thinking: Developing Metacognition in Children). Development of metacognition is imperative in developing learning ability as it is an awareness that directs childs mind to think in a constructive manner, to be open to new thoughts and ideas and impedes one from doing something wrong or getting off the track.

It is a kind of self-realization which enables one to think what a person is up to? A realization as what is the actual gain from undertaking such an action? It is a self analysis and thereby generates an awareness about things. Thus, metacognition alters ones psychology in a constructive direction.4. Describe the personal characteristics of a bully and a victim. Bully is an aggressive behaviour of the child. It is a characteristic which develops either due to physique or due to the family influence.

Certain families favor being rude and look down upon those who are weak either physically or financially. On the other hand, victim is a submissive person. Victim tries to agree whatever the bully commands. Bully nature also comes if the child is the eldest amongst siblings and therefore has habit of commanding over others or if the child is the youngest and listen to the commands of elders at home and then try to impose such acts on the peers outside the house. The psychological impact of such a situation is difficult to understand.

Parents intervention and involvement is imperative in nurturing the child in an suitable manner. Victim may also turn rebellious if the bully keeps on commanding for unnecessary reasons. Thus, aggression keeps multiplying. Parents intervention and their thought sharing temperament could serve as a great help in overcoming such a situation (Bully and Victim Characteristics).5. What is the psychoanalytic view of middle childhood? Middle childhood is the period when the child starts developing independence, an increase in domain is observed where the child interacts with the social world to a greater extent.

The development is more towards self-regulation and they carry out certain tasks on their own and do not require any kind of supervision, parents also allow them to pursue their activities without their constant watch. The autonomy provided to the child depends on the culture and also it displays gender bias, as girls are less privileged than boys. However, with increasing incidences of crime on females, parents of the present era are becoming over-protective for girls as compared to boys. This may alter the normal psychology of both girls and boys girls may think themselves to be submissive and may develop aggression while the boys develop a psychological feeling that girls and vulnerable and weak.

This conveys a negative message in the development of psychology of both the genders. Hence, it is imperative that no such discrimination should be practiced by parents for better psychological development (Social and Personality Development in Middle Childhood).ReferencesBully and Victim Characteristics. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://bullyingproject.com/bullies-and-victims/Capps, L., Connie, K., Nurit, Y., Marian, S. (1993). Parental perception of emotional expressiveness in children with autism.

Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 61, pp. 475-484.Social and Personality Development in Middle Childhood (n.d.) Retrieved from http://m.se.hccs.edu/Users/karen.saenz/Web/index.php?p=Chapter%2010Thinking about Thinking: Developing Metacognition in Children. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.teachingthinking.net/thinking/web%20resources/robert_fisher_thinkingaboutt hinking.htm.