Psych 19 Ch. 4

• -Gains 50% in height from birth to age 1
• -75% by age 2

• -Grow in spurts
• -Gain "baby fat" until about 9 months, then get slimmer
• -Girls slightly shorter, lighter than boys

• -Growth Differences
• -Male/Female
• -Ethnic
• -Individual rate (skeletal age and growth norms)

• -Head to tail
• -Lower body part of body grows later than the head

• -Near to far (also considered "inside out")
• -Growth occurs from the center of the body and outward
• Ex. Head, chest, and trunk (1st), then arms and legs

Highly plastic cerebral cortex, which many areas are not yet committed to specific functions, but has a high capacity for learning. If a part of the cortex is damaged other parts can take over tasks.

-In infants and young children, parts of brain are not yet specialized.

• -Recover better from brain injury
• -language recovers better than spatial skills
• -still have some problems with complex mental skills

-Older children, even adults have some plasticity

• Ordinary experiences "expected" by brain to grow normally
• Ex. Baby talking at 9-14 months

Additional growth as a result of specific learning experiences

• -Correct fat-protein balance
• -Nutritionally complete\
• -More digestable
• -Better growth
• -Disease protection
• -Better jaw and tooth development
• -Ensures digestibility
• -Easier transition to solid food

Growth disorder resulting from lack of parental love, is usually present by 18 months of age.

• -Symptoms similar to maramus (wasted condition of the body)
• -Non-biological cause
• -Can be corrected if treated early

Refers to a gradual reduction in the strength of a response due to repetitive stimulation