Why This Document Matters
This study guide is essential for students enrolled in PSY 355 who are looking to efficiently review course material and assess their understanding before the midterm. It’s most effectively used in the days leading up to the exam as a concentrated refresher. The guide exists to help students identify areas where further study may be needed.
Common Limitations or Challenges
This study guide is a *preview* of the material; it does not replace the need to attend lectures, complete readings, or engage with all course materials. It’s a review tool, not a comprehensive textbook. It will not provide in-depth explanations or detailed analyses of complex theories.
What This Document Provides
This study guide includes an overview of:
* The definition of child development and its core domains (cognitive, biological, and socioemotional).
* The five major periods of development – prenatal, infancy, early childhood, middle/late childhood, and adolescence – with key characteristics of each.
* An explanation of timing influences on development, including imprinting, sensitive periods, and critical periods.
* A discussion of cohort effects and examples.
* An introduction to five major theories of child development: psychoanalytic, cognitive, behavioral/social cognitive, ethological, and ecological.
* A brief overview of Freud’s personality structures (Id, Ego, Superego) and stages of psychosexual development.
* An introduction to Erikson’s eight stages of psychosocial development, including the first four stages.
This preview does *not* include a complete explanation of all theories, detailed breakdowns of each developmental stage, or practice questions. It is a high-level roadmap to guide your study efforts.
