EDS200H5 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Mental Age, Paul Baltes, Naturalistic Observation
Document Summary
Changes in the brain enable us to understand and respond to the world around us. 250,000 new nerve cells are created every minute one billion are created by the time of birth. After birth, environmental experiences associated with the 5 senses direct the brain"s development. By age 6, the brain weighs 90% of its adult weight. Amygdala (processes) emotion, matures earlier than the prefrontal cortex. Researchers call the rapid growth and pruning of synapses that occur during adolescence exuberance. Myelin sheath: layer of fat cells that insulates nerve cells and enables nerve impulses to travel rapidly important in inhibiting behavior. First system of the brain to show age is memory, prefrontal cortex loses its" ability to hold information. Life-span development: the pattern of movement or change that begins at conception and continues through the human life span. Life-span perspective: view that development is lifelong, multidimensional, multidirectional, plastic, contextual and multidisciplinary and involves growth, maintenance and regulation of loss.
