PSYC 354 Lecture 2: Cognitive Development
16 Jan 2019
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Document Summary
We need to think about the philosophical assumptions behind theories. Theories in psychology are based on assumptions about meaning. You cannot distinguish between nature and nurture. Recent research shows that some kids are most susceptible to parenting. Example of how genetics are important: dandelion kids (resilient) vs. orchid kids (more susceptible to differences in being raised) The biology creates the social, and the social influences which synapses form and how brain structures develop. It"s not as simple as having or not having a gene. Having a gene and being in a certain environment might lead to a certain behaviour. Neuroconstructivism: how regions of functional specialization are formed. Areas of specialization in the brain develop. Those areas of the brain win the language contract . We need to get from the causal level (neurons firing) to a child understanding things. Thinking of biology and social factors as pendulum is wrong - not swinging from one end to the other.
