Developmental Psychology

Achieve Test Prep: Developmental Psychology

For example: A child may be able to read simple books independently, while more complex books are too difficult. The child’s ZPD lies between the two extremes, with books a child can read with the help of a parent or teacher. Information Processing and Memory : Cognitive theorists view the brain as a computer with encoded information. This encoded information is put into a format which can be stored or retained appropriately and then retrieved from memory. There are three main categories of memory: 1. Sensory Memory: -Lasts a few seconds

-Holds information from the senses (hearing, taste, touch, smell, sight) -Information will leave this area if not rehearsed/repeated to be stored more

permanently 2. Short-term Memory: - Limited capacity of 5-9 items, referred to as Miller’s Magic Number

- The brain has the ability to organize items into groups to allow for more storage 3. Long-term Memory: -Unlimited capacity and unlimited duration

-Information stored here must undergo a rehearsal strategy -Information can be retrieved with retrieval strategies Retrieval Strategies:

- Rehearsal: repeating something until it is remembered - Elaboration: beginning with simple information and growing to more complex ideas/thoughts

- Association: connecting new information with older information - Retrieval Cues: a physical, verbal, visual, or auditory cue to aid in remembering Another type of memory is called Working Memory : where we hold information currently in use. 4. Humanistic Theory: Abraham Maslow , another psychologist, believed that development occurred due to two types of motivation, intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic Motivation: how an individual feels about completing an action and it gives them motivation to complete the action. Ex. Exercising makes the body feel well; the end result of feeling better is motivation for individuals to work out.

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