Final

Running head: Final Project – Week 1

Roberta Simpkin

PSY300 – M1:A4

Developmental Psychology

Argosy University

Professor: Dr. Jane Hamilton

November 2, 2009

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Final

In order to understand what is needed to support the maximized physical,

cognitive, and socioemotional development of people across their life cycles, we will

examine two very different case studies, (Argosy, 2009).

The first case is Charles and we will look at how his life has evolved over the

period of his lifetime. We'll examine not only his physical development and the medical

aspects associated with each stage of his development, but also the preventive strategies

for guaranteeing optimal physical growth and health. We will look at his cognitive

development, which focuses on the changes in the intellectual functioning of a human

being through the different stages of development. We’ll also look at the strategies for

encouraging the growth and expansion of intellectual reasoning, memory, and

educational or academic functioning at each stage of his human life span, (Argosy, 2009).

From a socioemotional perspective, we’ll see the emotional development,

personality formation, moral development, and social relationships throughout his life

span. In addition, there will be a focus on the impact of the social and family

environments on Charles’ individual development. The cultural perspective will help us

understand the impact of culture on each stage of development, (Argosy, 2009).

Charles was not loved from the time he was born. His mother got pregnant and

felt she had to marry Charles’ father. She always resented Charles. As a result, Charles

grew up feeling unwanted. His feelings were justified. His feelings were the result of his

mother's ranting and raving when under the influence of alcohol. Charles was born

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premature and had low birth weight. He often suffered with fever. His parents resented

Charles' weakened medical condition, (Argosy, 2009).

It is extremely important for a mother-to-be to obtain good prenatal care so that

the baby is born healthy. There are several things that a new mother-to-be should do in

order to reduce risks for herself and her baby, (Argosy, 2009):

getting properly immunized

obtaining early and regular prenatal checkups

eating a nutritionally balanced diet

making sure her prenatal weight gain is sufficient

stopping smoking, drinking and the use of illicit drugs

limiting her caffeine consumption

Since Charles was born premature and with low birth weight, it is likely that

Charles’ mother may not have bothered to obtain good quality prenatal care, since she

was upset being pregnant, (Argosy, 2009). In addition, she probably didn’t bother to get

any prenatal tests that are available to assess for fetal abnormalities, (Argosy, 2009).

With most parents, the time surrounding the birth of their child is an overwhelmingly

exciting and awe-inspiring event, (Argosy, 2009). This was not the case with Charles’

birth.

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Research supports the notion of nutrition programs for infants, which will supply

the needed nutrients for proper physical, cognitive, and emotional development growth,

(Argosy, 2009). Charles’ weakened medical condition may have been due to the fact that

Charles’ immunizations may not have been important to Charles’ mother. From infancy

through 16 years of age, all children should be immunized against diphtheria, polio,

measles, mumps, and rubella, (Argosy, 2009).

Gross and fine motor skill development is rapid during infancy. Infants learn

these skills through muscle control, which is often the result of prodding and guidance

from their parents. But in the case with Charles, his parents may not have taken the time

to allow Charles to learn these skills, (Argosy, 2009).

Along with physical growth, there is also significant cognitive development in

infants. Infancy is referred to as the sensor motor stage. At this stage, they learn to

organize and coordinate sensations with physical movements, (Argosy, 2009). Charles

never had anyone teach him organization and coordination.

Most psychologists believe that infants construct a sense of self by developing

their independence and establishing their individualism from others. Research into the

realm of attachment has further helped psychologists understand the socioemotional

development of infants. It helps clarify how emotional bonding and attachment with a

loving caregiver supports an infant’s need to be “his or her own person”, (Argosy, 2009).

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The term attachment refers to a close emotional bond between the infant and the

caregiver. In addition, attachment involves not merely the presence of emotional

closeness, but also a sense of security and comfort in the presence of the attachment

figure. In other words, when you are attached, you feel, or you hope to feel, a special

sense of security and comfort in the presence of the attachment figure, and in turn feel

safe exploring the environment. Charles did not have this attachment, this close

emotional bond with either of his parents. Charles did not have that special sense of

security, (Argosy, 2009).

Now Charles in his 70s, is under psychiatric care at a state-run medical center,

and has been diagnosed as suffering from severe schizophrenia, (Argosy, 2009).

Schizophrenia is a psychiatric mental disorder characterized by abnormalities in the

perception or expression of reality. The onset of symptoms typically occurs in young

adulthood. The disorder is thought to mainly affect cognition, but it also usually

contributes to chronic problems with behavior and emotion. Studies suggest that

genetics, early environment, neurobiology, psychological, and social processes are

important contributory factors. Some recreational and prescription drugs appear to cause

or worsen symptoms, (Webster’s Dictionary).

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Charles grew up fending for himself because his mother started drinking heavily.

He got himself absorbed into street gangs at different times in his life, some which were

involved in extortion and the sale of drugs. I feel that Charles’ present condition is

Final

directly related to his upbringing; the fact that he never felt wanted or loved, the fact that

he was virtually ignored, and he never formed a close emotional bond as an infant,

(Argosy, 2009). His cognitive development, which focuses on the changes in the

intellectual functioning of a human being never went through the different stages of

development, (Argosy, 2009). The history of Charles’ life is sad – a case study in

developmental dysfunction, (Argosy, 2009).

Our second case study is Paul and we’ll look at how his life evolved over the

period of his lifetime. We'll examine his physical development and the medical aspects

associated with each stage of his development, the preventive strategies for guaranteeing

optimal physical growth and health, and his cognitive development, (Argosy, 2009).

Paul’s parents thought he was a blessed child. His mother often said, before his birth, that

she had a vision of God sending a basket full of sparkling stars her way and blessing her.

Paul's father said Paul was the most robust of all his children, (Argosy, 2009).

Paul was the last child of his family. He had three brothers and a sister. His father

was a hardworking farmer and his mother was a housewife. Most of Paul’s childhood

was spent on a farm, where he walked two miles daily to go to school and spent the rest

of his time helping his mother at home or his father on the farm. Money was scarce and

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was just enough to provide for essentials and basic amenities. However, his parents were

always cheerful and loving towards their children. They were faithful, consistent, and

supportive members of the church. Every Sunday morning included services at church

followed by a hearty family lunch that close relatives or family friends sometimes

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attended. Paul’s love for all things related to academics made him a good student and he

was the pride of the school, the community, and his family. For Paul, books always

opened a wonderful world of fantasy and discovery. His thirst for knowledge made him

graduate with top honors and move to the state university on a scholarship, (Argosy,

2009).

Paul had a close emotional bond with his family as an infant and this gave him a

sense of security and comfort that continued his whole life, (Argosy, 2009). Paul’s

mother undoubtedly was getting properly immunized, obtained early and regular prenatal

checkups, and ate a nutritionally balanced diet, (Argosy, 2009). Paul’s physical,

cognitive, and emotional growth was all fulfilled, (Argosy, 2009).

Paul is now in his late 70s and is actively involved in community welfare

programs. He is a distinguished academician and is a well-known name in international

circles. After graduating as a Physics major, he took up research at the same university.

He met and married Nancy, a fellow researcher, and is the proud father of a son who has

gone on to be the CEO of a top software organization. He is a loving husband and father.

Paul lives with his wife in a modest home in a small town. He is involved in the welfare

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of the close-knit community. The history of Paul’s life is a happy one - a case study in

positive lifespan development, (Argosy, 2009).

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Final

References

Argosy University. (2009). PSY300: Developmental Psychology, Module 1, Cognitive

Developmental Issues, Retrieved October 31, 2009, from

http://myeclassonline.com

Argosy University. (2009). PSY300: Developmental Psychology, Module 1, Course

Overview, Retrieved October 31, 2009, from http://myeclassonline.com

Argosy University. (2009). PSY300: Developmental Psychology, Module 1, Physical

Developmental Issues, Retrieved October 31, 2009, from

http://myeclassonline.com

Argosy University. (2009). PSY300: Developmental Psychology, Module 1, Pregnancy

and Birth, Retrieved October 31, 2009, from http://myeclassonline.com

Argosy University. (2009). PSY300: Developmental Psychology, Module 1,

Socioemotional Developmental Issues, Retrieved October 31, 2009, from

http://myeclassonline.com

Webster’s Dictionary

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