Developmental
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Harlow’s Surrogate Study on Monkeys – Food or Security?
One of the most interesting case studies done using primates is Harlow’s Surrogate Study. The results revolutionized our understanding of social relationships in early development. The goal of the experiment was to see if babies were attached to their mothers primarily because the mother was a source of food. Dr. Harry Harlow and other social and cognitive psychologists argued this…
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Why Babies Keep the Beat
A new study suggests that babies are born with a keen, innate sense of rhythm. How can testing newborn beat perception help scientists track their development?
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In the Womb
This clip introduces the National Geographic special In the Womb, which follows a babys journey from conception to birth. The end of a babys nine month journey is shown as well as scenes from inside the womb. Images in this series are made possible by new scanning techniques and computer simulations. What are 4d scans? Which sounds tend to have…
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The Human Genome Project
This dynamic 3D animation will give you a close up look at the complexity of the cell. Completed in 2003, the Human Genome Project (HGP) was a 13-year project that sought to identify the approximately 20,000-25,000 genes in human DNA, determine the sequences of the 3 billion chemical base pairs that make up human DNA, store this information in databases,…
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A Year in The Life of Infertility
In this presentation, a woman documents her struggle with infertility, focusing on the events of her fourth year of trying to get pregnant. (She is now in her sixth year of attempts.) What are the various reproductive technologies that she attempts? What are the advantages and drawbacks of each of these types of treatment?
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Twins in the Womb
In this clip from the National Geographic channel, we see images of twins in the womb. What reason does the doctor give for knowing that these are identical, or monozygotic, twins? What are the enhanced risks involved in multiple births, and what precautions can be taken?
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How to Cope with a C-Section (Cesarean Section)
In this video, Dr. Keith Eddleman is interviewed about Cesarean sections (or C-section.) There has been a rise in recent years of women choosing to have a C-section, rather than having them only in emergency situations. What is the short-term and long-term impact of C-sections on the infant, the mother, and the mother-infant interactions?
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Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Basic facts are presented and pictures describe the physical symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome. At 2:52 a student performs his rap fetal alcohol syndrome on the brain. What are the physical and physiological symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome? What does alcohol do during pregnancy to trigger the syndrome? Living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
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Smoking and Pregnancy
In this news clip an anchor interviews a doctor on the effects of cigarette smoke on a developing fetus. What health risks can occur if a fetus is exposed to cigarette smoke? What is the most dangerous time to expose a fetus to cigarette smoke?
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Postpartum Depression
This news clip from Detroit, Michigan discusses postpartum depression by telling the story of Christine Hughes, her husband, and her three children. At least 10% of new mothers develop postpartum depression. Many more clips about this topic, including worst-case scenarios such as the story of Andrea Yates, can be found on YouTube. What are the warning signs of postpartum depression…
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Separation Anxiety
The father leaves the room while his son is in the midst of playing with his toy. A woman, however, stays with the boy. She tries to give him toys but he looks away then cries hysterically. The boy is inconsolable until his father returns and picks him up. How does this video demonstrate separation anxiety?
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The Work of Dr.John Bowlby: Reassessed – Fathers’ Rights
John Bowlbys research is described as making strong contributions to the area of developmental psychology. Criticisms of his work are also given. What were some of John Bowlbys contributions to the area of developmental psychology? Why did scholars criticize Bowlbys 1951 report on children in Europe? Why was attachment theory embraced in academic psychology? What were Rutters four rules?
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Ainsworth Attachment Theory
In this comedic attempt to depict attachment theory and behavior patterns, a grown man acts as a baby. Two women play the mother and stranger, respectively. The scenarios include a demonstration of a child with a secure attachment, avoidant attachment, and ambivalent attachment. What are the three patterns of attachment demonstrated in the video? Are the patterns of attachment accurate…
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Sensorimotor, Object Perminence
This video discusses the sensorimotor stage and the development of object permanence the concept that objects in the environment are permanent and do not cease to exist when they are out of reach or out of view. What are the six stages in the development of sensorimotor causality?
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Human Calculator in Training The Math Baby Genius
Anthony is a 13 month old infant who has seen a series of cards with dots upon them. He appears to demonstrate simple arithmetic (or counting) by being able to discriminate between rather close numbers of dots. Do you believe the infant is doing simple arithmetic or is this a modern version of Clever Hans? Is there an alternative explanation…
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Fine Motor Skills for Children
A mother leads her daughter in song, chant, and dance. Different fingers, thumbs, and body parts are used for the songs. What benefits could children receive from practicing fine and gross motor movements? If there were a Tommy Thumb video series would you buy it for your child? Why or why not?
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Piagets Cognitive Stages of Development
Piaget’s Cognitive Stages of Development provide a framework for understanding how children’s thinking and learning abilities evolve as they grow. Jean Piaget, a renowned Swiss psychologist, developed these stages based on his extensive research in child psychology. This guide highlights the four key stages of Piaget’s cognitive development theory, offering insights into how children process information and learn new skills.…
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Gender Roles in Disney Movies
In this student project, the way Disney movies often portray gender roles is explored. Through pictures, clips, and audio tracks, the video clearly paints a portrait of old-fashioned gender roles, where women are expected to be beautiful and subservient, and men are strong and powerful. Do you agree that this is how Disney movies portray gender roles or is this…
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Adult Role Models Inspire Students
A social worker at Parks Middle School in urban Atlanta describes his work with students and families at the school and the role that community service plays in improving results for kids and families at Parks. Focused attention to student and family needs outside of school has helped Parks change from a chronically failing school to best in the district.…
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Good Idea, Bad Idea Compilation
This video is shows several Good Idea, Bad Idea segments from the childrens television cartoon Animaniacs. The first scene explains that while it is a good idea to toss a penny into a fountain and make a wish, it is a bad idea to toss your cousin, Penny, into the fountain and make a wish. Assume that tossing your cousin…
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Id, Ego, and Superego
This clip is an excerpt of an old educational film about Sigmund Freud. In addition to discussing the id, ego, and superego, the Oedipus complex is discussed and dramatized. In classical psychoanalytic theory, a childs superego, or conscience, is an internalization of parental values and moral standards. At what age and stage is a childs superego formed, according to Freud?
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Empathy Audrey Hepburn
In this short scene from the movie Funny Face, Audrey Hepburn explains to her costar what empathy means. Based on his response, do you think he understands the concept? What are the four levels of empathy, and how might a child display each of them?
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Building Self-Esteem and Confidence in Children
This television show for kids bills itself as the latest kids show that builds self-esteem in children and creates confident kids. Is it true that if you have trouble doing something, all you have to do is believe you can do it, and you can? Is this an effective way to help teach children about positive self-esteem?
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Preoperational Lack of Conservation
This video demonstrates how children in the preoperational stage have a lack of conversation. This is shown using volume and number. How old are children in the preoperational level? How might you demonstrate a lack of conservation using volume? What does it mean that preoperational children are seduced by appearances?
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Concrete Operations Stage of Cognitive Development
These students were asked to create a video detailing the main characteristics of a child in the concrete operational stage of development. What are the tests the students use to show these characteristics? How would you design experiments to test these different concepts of conservation?
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