Human Development 2006-2007

UNIT 1. Genetic and Prenatal Influences on DevelopmentPart A. Genetic Influences<new>1. The Identity Dance, Gunjan Sinha, Psychology Today", March/April 2004Identical twins are clones with the same genetic profiles". Life experience, therefore, must matter if identical twins develop unlike emotions, health problems," and personalities". This article reports scientific evidence that genes have the equivalent of molecular "switches" that can be turned on or off by prenatal" and postnatal environmental factors. Several unlike identical twins are described.2. The Age of Genetic Technology Arrives, Leon R. Kass, The American Spectator", November/December 2002The 30,000 human genes have been mapped and biotech businesses are booming. Will genetic engineering" result in every baby being born without any mental or physical disabilities? Will we eliminate tumors and infections, enhance immunity, and make disease extinct? How much more memory, or years of life, will we add? Will we be fulfilled or dehumanized? Leon Kass addresses these ethical" issues.3. Brave New Babies, Claudia Kalb, Newsweek", January 26, 2004Reproductive technology has made it possible for parents to have their eggs and sperm united in a lab dish. After selecting the genetic" characteristics they want, the appropriate embryo (or embryos) is implanted in the mother for gestation. This practice has raised some troubling questions. Claudia Kalb addresses these questions of morality" and ethics".Part B. Prenatal Influences4. Inside the Womb, J. Madeleine Nash, Time", November 11, 2002Embryonic cells, also known as stem cells, generate most of the human organ systems in the earliest weeks of prenatal development". Not only aberrant genes, but also health", stress", nutrition", and toxins (e.g., drugs) can alter the precision of stem cell transformations. Concerns for embryonic development are not yet, but should become, a political priority, argues Nash.5. The Mystery of Fetal Life: Secrets of the Womb, John Pekkanen, Current", September 2001Environment affects prenatal development." This article reviews known dangers (e.g., alcohol and drug use," viral infections) and recently discovered endocrine disrupters (e.g., chemicals in our air, food, and water). The author gives advice on exercise, nutrition," and health maintenance" to optimize the physical and cognitive status" of the offspring.<new>6. A New Fertility Factor, Alice D. Domar, Newsweek", September 27, 2004The body-mind connection is considered an important factor in conception. While fertility-drug injections are still used to help establish a pregnancy," alternative health" care methods-complementary medicines such as meditation, yoga, relaxation therapy, and psychotherapy-are increasingly useful for women." The stress" of procreation failure creates anxiety" and depression" which interferes with fertility.UNIT 2. Development During Infancy and Early ChildhoodPart A. Infancy7. Four Things You Need to Know About Raising Baby, Joanna Lipari, Psychology Today", July/August 2000In this article, Joanna Lipari explains the synthesis of important aspects of areas of infant development-genetic inheritance, physical development, cognitive skills," and emotional attachment-into a new view that" equates parenting" behaviors to software that promotes the growth of the baby's brain (hardware). Lipari discusses attachment" theory and compares "old thinking" about raising a baby with research-guided "new thinking."8. Who's Raising Baby?, Anne R. Pierce, The World & I", February 2002What happens to self-esteem" and emotional/personality development" when babies are rushed to do everything sooner and better than others? The author contends that parenting" and infancy" should be more about love of learning. Through play, babies discover their individuality and genetically" driven interests. Pressuring them to conform to gender-appropriate" activities (e.g., sports, ballet) or academic pursuits is miseducation.<new>9. And Now, the Hard Part: That Sweet Little Thing Is About to Commandeer Your Life, Lauren Picker, Newsweek", April 25, 2005Research documents the plunge in marital bliss" upon a baby's arrival. Infant caregiving" is compared to the popular TV show "Survivor." Gender roles" are challenged as to division of labor. Sibling rivalry is real. The majority of mothers must adjust their careers" to accommodate parenting" demands. Financial worries abound. Despite all the anxiety," babies still enrich their family's" existence.Part B. Early Childhood<new>10. Long-Term Studies of Preschool: Lasting Benefits Far Outweigh Costs, Gerald W. Bracey and Arthur Stellar, Phi Delta Kappan", June 2003This article summarizes three research studies showing the long-lasting benefits of early childhood education" (e.g., higher education, career success, stable marriage, moral living) for preschool children living in poverty at time of interventions. Each of the programs had extensive parenting" involvement and encouraged attachment" bonds. The authors argue that high quality preschool today, taxpayer-funded, would reap future rewards for the USA.11. Guilt Free TV, Daniel McGinn, Newsweek", November 11, 2002A new generation of parents" use television as an aid to early childhood socialization." New high-quality programs improve cognitive skills, language, self-esteem," and emotional intelligence." Some families still have anxiety about sex" and violence". Kids' TV is improving however.12. Raising a Moral Child, Karen Springen, Newsweek", Special Issue, Fall/Winter 2000Parents" are held responsible for ethics and morality" training during early childhood." Our culture" has fewer moral role models than before and more and more aggression and violence," increasing the urgency for moral lessons. Karen Springen relays the advice of several experts on how to help preschoolers learn right from wrong.UNIT 3. Development During Childhood: Cognition and SchoolingPart A. Cognition<new>13. A Time and a Place for Authentic Learning, Joseph S. Renzulli, Marcia Gentry, and Sally M. Reis, Educational Leadership", September 2004The process of knowing (cognition)" is often lost as educators "teach to the test" to improve state mandated achievement scores. Education" rooted in cognitive science is found in schools" that emphasize student thinking. The authors of this article describe authentic learning situations in which students become excited about learning in enrichment clusters.14. The New Science of Dyslexia, Christine Gorman, Time", July 28, 2003Genetic" differences in brain wiring are now believed to create dyslexia. Children" with dyslexia are skilled problem-solvers and many achieve fame in arts and science. Reading involves separating language" into phonemes, analyzing sounds, and automatically detecting them. Educational" practices can improve these cognitive" skills.15. Metacognitive Development, Deanna Kuhn, Current Directions in Psychological Science", October 2000Cognitive development" that reflects on itself is called metacognition. Understanding intellectual performance will allow parents, teachers, and others to help children develop effective metacognitive awareness. Deanna Kuhn suggests that knowledge of metastrategies will help us to understand how education" occurs or fails to occur.Part B. Schooling16. Trick Question, Michael Fumento, The New Republic", February 3, 2003Our culture" has been critical of calling attention-deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) a real disorder. We blame parenting, stress," and educational" settings for inattention and impulsivity. We claim the drug Ritalin reduces creativity" and makes boys more like girls. This article gives the facts about ADHD and its treatments, including Ritalin use.17. The Future of Computer Technology in K-12 Education, Frederick Bennett, Phi Delta Kappan", April 2002The author argues that the computer culture" will benefit education. Creative" individuals can develop software with many cognitive" advantages. However, the improvements will not happen until teaching undergoes a major alteration. Parents," politicians, and citizens must want this to happen.<new>18. Why We Need "The Year of Languages", Sandy Cutshall, Educational Leadership", December 2004/January 2005The future USA culture will require multilingualism to interact with the millions of earth's people who speak, for example, Chinese, Arabic, Indonesian, and Russian. Our national security is threatened by linguistic ignorance. Brain development" is more receptive to language acquistion before puberty. Schools" who motivate" students to learn foreign languages early are an asset to world socialization "efforts and peace.<new>19. Failing Our Children: No Child Left Behind Undermines Quality and Equity in Education, Lisa Guisbond and Monty Neill, The Clearing House", September/October 2004The authors argue that the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) education" act needs to be revised. They contend that the NCLB uses test, threats, and punishments. In order to achieve quality and equity, schools" need more funding, cultural participation, peer supports," and positive reinforcements. A focus on brain development, memory, personality," and real learning could improve assessment and accountablity.20. "High Stakes Are for Tomatoes", Peter Schrag, The Atlantic Monthly", August 2000This article raises questions about the widespread use of assessment tests to judge the performance of students and schools." The frenzy for higher performance and accountability is shackling creative" teaching, driving out good teachers, and creating undue student stress." Are tests culturally biased"? Will a testing backlash lower educational standards"?UNIT 4. Development during Childhood: Family and CulturePart A. Family21. Raising Happy Achieving Children in the New Millennium, Alice Sterling Honig, Early Child Development and Care", Volume 163, 2000This article is packed with excellent advice on care that creates self-esteem and emotionally happy" and cognitively achieving" children. Alice Honig stresses the need to educate parents" early, even before the birth of their child, especially if parents have experienced depression, drug abuse," or family violence." Family aids must be sensitive to different cultures."22. When Safety Is the Name of the Game, David Noonan, Newsweek", September 22, 2003Organized sports provide exercise" and improve the physical status" of children" and adolescents". Sports injuries, however, are a major health" issues. Emotions" rise in competition. Coaches and referees may tolerate violence" and aggression". Parents" can reduce risks by pressuring schools" for safety education" and athletic trainers.23. The Blank Slate, Steven Pinker, Discover", October 2002The author argues that family socialization" and cultural constructs" interact with genetics" (talents, temperament) to create unique humans. It is hypocrisy to blame parenting", or schools", or peers", or television" for all behaviors. Children" have some inherited traits; they are not blank slates. Social progress can be made by reinforcing good traits and teaching control of bad ones.<new>24. The Power of No, Peg Tyre, Julie Scelfo, and Barbara Kantrowitz, Newsweek", September 13, 2004Parents" struggle to educate children" and adolescents" on the fact that happiness is not dependent on owning things. Overindulgence and a sense of entitlement contribute to poor emotional control" and self-absorption. Learning to overcome challenges leads to self-esteem," a moral work-ethic," and better mental health. Families" spoil children with too few limits, not by saying "no."<new>25. Parents Behaving Badly, Nancy Gibbs, Time", February 21, 2005Families" want the best for their children," but often socialize" them badly with educational interference. Parents" defend cheating, lower motivation" by expecting too much (or too little), and blame teachers for emotional upsets." The author describes hovering "helicopter parents" whose children have no self-reliance, and culture" barriers which keep some parents away from schools." Both have negative consequences.Part B. Culture26. Parents or Pop Culture? Children's Heroes and Role Models, Kristin J. Anderson and Donna Cavallaro, Childhood Education", Spring 2002Women" and minority cultures" are underrepresented by prime time television". Men" are portrayed as important, angry, and often violent". Likewise, comic books show exaggerated male aggression and underrepresent women" and minorities" as heroes. Research demostrates that children's" play mimics these stereotypes. Parents'" impact is more important, but families" need to limit exposure to some steroretypes.27. Brown v. Board: A Dream Deferred, Ellis Cose, Newsweek", May 17, 2004Cultural differences" still exist in American education", according to Ellis Cose. The schooling" of children" and adolescents" from African- and Hispanic-American families is not equal, nor are school resources equivalent. The anxiety" and stress" of minority learners will be lessened if we give them the same benefits we give upper-middle-class white students.UNIT 5. Development During Adolescence and Young AdulthoodPart A. Adolescence<new>28. What Makes Teens Tick, Claudia Wallis, Time", May 10, 2004The cognition" and brain development" of adolescents" as revealed by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies can account for memory, emotions, motivation, self-esteem, anxiety, depression, drug abuse, "and sex." Brain structural changes are initiated by puberty homones. Final maturation does not occur until about age 25. Both genes" and environment affect physical" changes in grey and white matter.<new>29. A Peaceful Adolescence, Barbara Kantrowitz and Karen Springen, Newsweek", April 25, 2005This article presents evidence that, despite raging hormones, adolescents" and families" can have a peaceful friendship". A longitudinal study has identified socialization" practices that unite parents" and teens against peer pressures" and cultural temptations. Moral" and ethical character" are modeled from caring, competent, connected, and confident adults."30. Hello to College Joys: Keep Stress Off Campus, Jane E. Brody, The New York Times", August 26, 2003Adolescents" at schools" away from home face new challenges: sex, drugs", grades, and paying bills. The "best time of their lives" becomes a time of anxiety, emotional stress", and depression". Mental health services are necessary for many students. Jane Brody gives many creative solutions for college students' problems.Part B. Young Adulthood<new>31. How Spirit Blooms, Suzanne Clores, Body and Soul", September 2004The author reports her young adulthood" identity quest, linked to career stress" and cognition." This article gives an overview of Wicca, Yoga, Sufism, Shamanism, Buddhism, and Voodoo, and discusses the culture" of spirituality," shared by 84% of Americans. Recent genetic" research suggests we inherit a predisposition to seek a higher power and moral" guide. A self-transcendence scale allows the reader to explore his/her feelings of connectedness to the larger universe.32. The Battle for Your Brain, Ronald Bailey, Reason", February 2003Neuroscience may soon provide ways to manipulate our brains". New drugs" may improve memory", boost cognition", and fine-tune our emotions". Will these future enhancements be ethical"? Ronald Bailey addresses this question and gives eight objections voiced by neuroethicists.UNIT 6. Development during Middle and Late AdulthoodPart A. Middle Adulthood33. Emotions and the Brain: Laughter, Steven Johnson, Discover", April 2003A primitive part of the human brain," the brainstem, prompts laugher. Tickling in sexually" private or guarded regions (e.g., groin, waist, throat) is registered in another ancient region, the somatosensory cortex. We laugh as a form of instinctive social attachment," especially in childhood." We're often not aware that we're laughing, but our laughter is contagious and helps bond friendships" and improve health."34. Alcohol's Deadly Triple Threat, Karen Springen and Barbara Kantrowitz, Newsweek", May 10, 2004Socialized gender differences" exist in alcohol abuse". Men drink openly. Women" drink in secret to ease stress" and anxiety". Drinking in adulthood" can contribute to divorce, health" problems, and death". Pregnant women who drink also impair prenatal brain development" and contribute to birth defects".<new>35. Blowing a Gasket, Jeffrey Kluger, Time", December 6, 2004Experts estimate that one-third of adult Americans have high blood pressure (hypertension), a serious threat to physical status" and health. Men," especially those from minority cultures" who are overweight, smoke, drink, and have a family" history of hypertension suffer most. The end games are usually heart disease and/or stroke. Stress" reduction, exercise," better nutrition," and medicine can help reduce the risks.36. 12 Things You Must Know to Survive and Thrive in America, Ellis Cose, Newsweek", January 28, 2002This article targets minority men" in American culture" with career" concerns. Personal advice is given on race, education, motivation to achieve," choosing friends," keeping high expectations, and having faith in oneself. Ellis Cose also discusses family" fidelity-love and care for wife and children.Part B. Late Adulthood37. Aging's Changing Face, Willow Lawson, Psychology Today", July/August 2003Aging" adults are increasingly returning to education" after retirement. Some have the physical status" to run triathlons. Willow Lawson reports that optimism contributes to better health", improved memory", and enjoyment of sex". Exercise" as well as an upbeat outlook can also reduce depression".38. Secrets of the Centenarians, Maya Pines, HHMI Bulletin", Spring 2004Centenarians, over 100 and aging" well, have positive emotions", gregarious personalities", good memory" and cognition", and remain independent. Researchers have found genetic" materials which contribute to this vigor. The health" and physical status" of many centenarians resemble people 30 years younger.<new>39. How to Land on Your Feet, Jane Bryant Quinn, Newsweek", February 14, 2005The author suggests that all aging" adults need an education" about retirement. Knowledge about health" benefits, resources, pensions, and investments are a few necessary lessons. Marriage" makes retirement easier. Spouselessness is difficult, especially for women." Ms. Quinn recommends using a financial planner in order to "land on your feet" at your career"'s end.40. Navigating Practical Dilemmas in Terminal Care, Helen Sorenson, Emphysema/COPD: The Journal of Patient Centered Care", Winter 2004Our physical status" is more decline (after adolescence) than incline. Aging" is universal, and death" is inevitable. Helen Sorenson addresses the ethics" and morality" issues of terminal care. Trust and good communication are essential when preparing advance care directives. Each of us has choices to make about our own deaths.