INTRODUCTION TO DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

Book Code: 1111025366016

Afzalur Rahman

ABOUT THE BOOK

The book ‘INTRODUCTION TO DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY: Genetic Foundations and Prenatal Development’is the first edition in author’s attempt to prepare a comprehensive text on chronological portrayal of life-span development. The book is divided into six chapters and encompasses an extensive introduction to the field of developmental psychology, its concept, nature, scope, issues, goals, and historical background. It provides a lucid and simple description of the major theories, and methods of studying human development. The representation of human development starting from conception throughout prenatal development to birth process has been made in an orderly sequence. The description of the process of beginning of life, covering an introduction to reproductive cells, the fertilization process- natural as well as alternative techniques, are articulated. The major focus of the book is to throw light on the genetic foundations of human life. The questions like how far genetic inheritance makes an individual unique? how far genetic inheritance determinesour observable traits? how does genetic inheritance determine sex of the offspring? how does genetic inheritance contribute to multiple births? etc. are tried to explain in an eloquent approach. A synoptic sketch of different genetic disordersis also portrayed. Finally, the book ends with the discussion of prenatal development, its milestones, factors, hazards, and interventions. Since the birth process significantly influences the later developments in human life, a brief note on the different types of birth, their pros and cons are also included.
In a nutshell the book ‘INTRODUCTION TO DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY: Genetic Foundations and Prenatal Development’is meant not only for the students of developmental psychology, but also for the teachers, parents, prospective teachers & parents, care givers, nurses, social workers, and all others who questions how do people come to be the way they are?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Afzalur Rahman, (Ph.D.) is presently working as Assistant Professor (Selection Grade) in the Post-Graduate Department of Education of Nowgong College (Autonomous), Assam, besides performing additional responsibility of Deputy Controller of Examinations. So far, the author accumulated more than 12 years of teaching experience at UG and PG level and has been guiding Ph.D. research scholars. He has published 23 research papers/articles in peer reviewed and indexed journals, edited books, and conference proceedings. He authored a book entitled ‘Values, Aspirations and Professional Education’ published by Kalpaz Publications, New Delhi and edited another book on India Higher Education. Besides, the author has worked in several book publications as Associate Editor and member in editorial board. He delivered invited speech in several workshops, seminars, panel discussions, besides presenting papers in national and international conferences on varied themes of education and social sciences. The author has alsocompleted two minor research projects. Higher Education, Developmental Psychology, Educational Statistics, Value Education etc. are his areas of interest.
Besides teaching and research, the author acquired enough administrative experiencesby working in positions like Deputy Controller of Examinations, Head of the PG Department of Education, Chairman of the BoS of PG Department of Education, College Nodal Officer for AISHE& NIRF, Member of IQAC, College Coordinator for Spoken Tutorial Programme by IIT Bombay, Organising Secretary of National Seminars, Member of Admission Committee, College Election Commission, Personal Counselling Cell, Library Monitoring Cell, AOC of Final Examinations at UG and PG level, Teacher-in-charge of Students Union etc., on a regular basis.Dr. Afzalur Rahman, (Ph.D.) is presently working as Assistant Professor (Selection Grade) in the Post-Graduate Department of Education of Nowgong College (Autonomous), Assam, besides performing additional responsibility of Deputy Controller of Examinations. So far, the author accumulated more than 12 years of teaching experience at UG and PG level and has been guiding Ph.D. research scholars. He has published 23 research papers/articles in peer reviewed and indexed journals, edited books, and conference proceedings. He authored a book entitled ‘Values, Aspirations and Professional Education’ published by Kalpaz Publications, New Delhi and edited another book on India Higher Education. Besides, the author has worked in several book publications as Associate Editor and member in editorial board. He delivered invited speech in several workshops, seminars, panel discussions, besides presenting papers in national and international conferences on varied themes of education and social sciences. The author has alsocompleted two minor research projects. Higher Education, Developmental Psychology, Educational Statistics, Value Education etc. are his areas of interest.
Besides teaching and research, the author acquired enough administrative experiencesby working in positions like Deputy Controller of Examinations, Head of the PG Department of Education, Chairman of the BoS of PG Department of Education, College Nodal Officer for AISHE& NIRF, Member of IQAC, College Coordinator for Spoken Tutorial Programme by IIT Bombay, Organising Secretary of National Seminars, Member of Admission Committee, College Election Commission, Personal Counselling Cell, Library Monitoring Cell, AOC of Final Examinations at UG and PG level, Teacher-in-charge of Students Union etc., on a regular basis.

CONTENTS

Foreword...........................................................................5
Preface ..............................................................................7
1. Conceptual Background of Developmental ....................15
Psychology
• Introduction
• What is Developmental Psychology?
• Nature of Developmental Psychology
• Emergence of Developmental Psychology
• Child Psychology Versus Developmental Psychology
• Scope of Developmental Psychology
• Goals of Developmental Psychology
2. Major Theories and Issues of Developmental.....................33
Psychology
• Introduction
• Psychoanalytic Theories-Sigmund Freud’s Psychoanalytic
Theory, Erik Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory
• Cognitive Theories-Piaget’s Cognitive Development
Theory, Vygotsky’s Socio-Cultural Cognitive Theory,
Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory
• Behavioural Theories-Theory of Classical Conditioning,
Theory of Operant Conditioning
• Ethological Theory
• Ecological Theory
• Humanistic Theory
• Issues of Developmental Psychology-Nature vs.
Nurture Issue, Stability vs. Change Issue, Continuity vs.
Discontinuity Issue

3. Methods of Developmental Psychology ...........................51
• Introduction
• Historical Methods-Biographical Method, Case Study
Method/Clinical Method
• Descriptive Methods-Observation, Questionnaire and
Opinionnaire, Interview, Psychological Tests
• Correlational Methods
• Experimental Methods
• Quasi Experimental Methods
• Developmental or Genetic Methods-Longitudinal Method,
Cross-Sectional Method, Sequential Method
• Psychoanalytic Methods
• Ethical Standards of Research in Developmental
Psychology
4. Beginning of Life: The Conception ...............................77
• Introduction
• Male Reproductive Cell: Structure and Formation
• Female Reproductive Cell: Structure and Formation
• The Process of Fertilisation: The Beginning of Life
• Alternative Techniques of Fertilisation-Intrauterine
Insemination (IUI), In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF),
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
• Conditions Determined at the time of Fertilisation-Fixation
of Heredity Endowment, Determination of Sex, Number
of Offspring, Ordinal Position in the Family
5. Genetic Foundations of Life: The Genes and ..................89
Chromosomes
• Introduction
• How far Genetic Inheritance Makes an Individual Unique?
• How far Genetic Inheritance Determines Observable
Traits?
• How Does Genetic Inheritance Determine Sex of the
Offspring?
• How Does Genetic Inheritance Contribute to Multiple
Births?
• Genetic Disorders
• Disorders Associated with Chromosomal Abnormalities-
Down Syndrome, Sex Linked Chromosomal Disorders

Klinefelter Syndrome, The XYY Syndrome, Turner
Syndrome (TS), Fragile X Syndrome (FXS)
• Disorders Associated with Genes-Phenylketonuria (PKU),
Sickle Cell Anemia, Tay-Sach Disease, Spina Bifi da,
Cystic Fibrosis
6. Prenatal Development and the Birth Process .....................105
• Introduction
• Germinal Period: From Fertilisation to Two Weeks
• Embryonic Period: From the end of Two Weeks to Eight
Weeks
• Fetal Period: From the end of Eight Weeks to Birth
• Conditions affecting Prenatal Development and
Developmental Hazards-Exposure to Teratogen, Maternal
Age, Maternal Health and Diseases, Maternal Diet
and Nutrition, Maternal Emotional States and Stress,
Incompatible Blood Types, Attitude of Signifi cant People
• Measures to Reduce Hazards and Optimize Prenatal
Development
• The Birth Process-Natural Birth, Assisted Vaginal Birth,
Caesarean (C-Section) Birth
• Evaluating Baby’s Health Soon After Birth: The Apgar
Scale
Bibliography ..............................................................................125
Index ..........................................................................................133