Week Three

This week’s reading in my opinion covered a lot of different topics. Out of the all three weeks, i feel like this week’s reading is what interested me the most. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about different stages a toddler has to grow through in order to survive in this world. The difference between genders is what caught my attention the most. This topic is experienced by almost everyone all around the world, despite the fact of what culture, country they are from. 
In the podcast from this week Leah gave a great example of what was expected from a woman as a housewife. There are some roles that are expected from a specific gender for example being a stay at home parent. It is only expected from the women to quit her job and take care of the children rather than men. In a lot of countries around the world men are treated more superiorly than women. Women are discriminated around the world everyday lives at work, family and or the society they live in. 
In my personal life i have experienced the gender differentiation as well. It is a part of the culture and now is mentality of the people over the centuries. There are different set of rules that are applied on boys and girls. It is okay for a boy to go out later in the night then it is for the girl. The girl is supposed to do everything right and needs to learn all the household work as that is priority over getting an education. Boys are ultimately given more freedom, more choices and treated better in the professional world. The blame is put on the women no matter who is at fault. I have seen women in situations like domestic violence, being raped and getting the blame for it that they somehow provoked the guy to do so. This kind of expectations and “rules and regulations” has been passed down from generation to generation, defining the culture.
In the beginning of chapter 5 example of Stewie is given as he is a 1 year old toddler who can speak. I have always wondered what goes in a toddlers mind when they are experiencing their new environment. Are they able to think and use their mind or is it mostly by touch and sucking? I would like to learn more about what is going on in a toddlers brain as they enter the new world and every experience is a new experience for them.

Week Two Reflection

The thing i find interesting about this module is temperament. I had little to no knowledge about what temperament is. Temperament is a combination of our physical, mental and emotional traits as a person (Human Development a Life Span View 5^th Edition). As i studied more about it in the chapter, i realized what kind of role it plays in an individual’s day to day life. We are in situations everyday where it is up to an individual on how they choose to approach or react to any situation. Temperament also makes an individual unique likes its Genotype as no one else shares the same one. There are so many different roles that come to play to form one being's personality and development.

Another topic that was interesting to me and i was able to relate to as well was environment and heredity co determination. When i moved to United States from India my environment dramatically changed. Moving from a third world country to the United States was a cultural shock in its own way. Over time i noticed that certain traits of my personality have been amplified. Due to the environment provided in the American schools i was able to come out of my shell and started participating in classes. I did not hesitate to ask questions and was starting to feel more confident and sure about myself. This was something i was never able to do in my school back home as i always shy away from speaking up or in front of a large crowd. Due to environment change i saw these traits being amplified over the course of few years.

I would love to learn more about to genes are passed on. Is there any factor that can affect the passing of a disorder or is it just hit or miss or luck?  What causes a disorder to be heredity? I would like to know more about heredity disorders and passing on of the genes.

Week One

After I finished my Psychology 100 I knew that Lifespan 200 will be an interesting class. There were many different things that I learned about human mind and their nature in that class. Chapter 1 lays down basic yet key factors about human development. The chapter was very intriguing and also informative at the same time. Many different topics caught my attention and had me thinking but few that stood out the most were Nature Vs Nurture, Continuity Vs Discontinuity and the Biopsychosocial framework.

Nature Vs Nurture is a subject everyone at some point of their lives have thought about and how it has affected them as an individual. I myself have wondered the very same thing and till this day I am not able to conclude any form of answer. As taught in the podcast, genes and DNA are a form of a blue print for an individual but with every passing day we alter or make changes in the personality and thinking of our mind. I have always believed that our family, friends and people who we surround ourselves have the most influence on ourselves as it’s their opinions, thoughts and feelings that matter to us the most. Is nature more dominant or nurture? Are they different for someone who has a stronger personality? 

Continuity Vs Discontinuity and cognitive development is something i can personally relate too. Over the years I have seen my personality, habits and choices change. As I look back to my teenage years I realize that have become a totally different person. I do not know if it is me being "mature" or it is continuity vs. discontinuity. The way I walk, talk, and style myself, people I seek interest in and the topics I find interesting are completely different to what they were few years ago. I am sure everyone has had a moment of what was I thinking when they look at back at their old pictures. That in itself is an example of discontinuity and continuity. 

If I had unlimited funds I would like to know more about nature vs. nurture. I would ask the questions I posted in the above paragraph. 

Anu