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Foundations Q & A Assignment
1. Describe (in your own words) what the textbook states about development being lifelong then
reflect on how you have experienced this yourself, or observed it in another person. Include at
least 5 complete sentences, and cite appropriately any ideas you include from our textbook.
Development starts at conception and ends with death, and includes all concepts of
development. Development continues throughout an individuals life span and can include
physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and spiritual changes (p.3). I feel that I have
experienced this being a military brat, seeing different walks of life, and taking what I most
liked from them to shape my own beliefs. Living in different places throughout life has
exposed me to different social and spiritual settings. From living in the deep south of
Georgia to being land locked in Colorado, I have met many different people who have
helped further my development.
2. How does our textbook describe spiritual development? Based on your personal experience
and observation do you agree that all humans are spiritual beings? Why or why not? Include at
least 5 complete sentences, and cite appropriately any ideas you include from our textbook.
The textbook describes spiritual development as the part of humans that connects us to or
causes us to seek that which is sacred or transcendent (Koeing, 2012, pg.5). From my
personal experience, I agree with all humans being spiritiual beings. Growing up, other
family members were very involved with their church. However, that standard was not
something my parents upheld, moving around did not provide an efficient way to grow up
with one specific church. Organized religion has always fascinated me, as there are so many
different variation, even within Christianity. My parents both grew up with Christian valus,
my mother being Baptist, and my father being Luthern. As I have grown into adulthood and
have experienced different churches, I prefer non-denominational. I have lost faith and
walked back into it many times, which fuels my belief of humans being spiritual beings,
because I always found myself searching for something.
3. Choose a sentence from the textbook that you consider significant or interesting. Copy and
paste it in the box below. Include all required punctuation marks, and include an appropriate
APA citation.
Mary Ainsworth noted that if an infant experienced attentive, responsive, and consistent care
from one primary caregiver, he or she was likely to develop a secure attachment style. If,
however, the care received was inconsistent, neglectful, or abusive, the child is likely to
develop a nonsecure attachment style (anxious, avoidant, or in extreme circumstances,
theorists added a disorganized attachment designation; Ainsworth & Bell, 1970; Ainsworth,
1985, pg.26).
4. Rewrite in your own words (paraphrase) the sentence copied above (in #3). Include all
required punctuation marks, and include an appropriate APA citation. Remember that
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paraphrasing involves completely rewriting in your own words. It is not correct to simply change
the order of words or to substitute words with similar meaning.
Mary Ainsworth concluded that when an infant’s caregiver was neglectful and inconsistent,
the infant would develop a nonsecure attachment style. A nonsecure attachment style might
create anxious and avoidant characteristics in the infant (Ainsworth & Bell, 1970;
Ainsworth, 1985, pg.26).
5. Identify one developmental theorist and (in your own words) briefly describe an important
concept from his theory. Based on your experience and observation do you believe this concept
is valid? Why or why not? Include at least 5 complete sentences, and cite appropriately any ideas
you include from our textbook.
Jean Piaget’s work in cognitive psychology, and his theory of childhood cognitive
development. Piaget said that cognitive development takes place because human beings seek
to maintain a state of cognitive equilibrium or balance (pg.19). He believed there were four
stages to cognitive development. I believe this concept to be valid. My little brother is eight
years younger than me; I was able to see him grow up and be able to put pieces of
knowledge together. Now, I have a son who is under one year old, I have been able to
observe the SensorimotorEstage of Piaget’s concept in full motion. Piaget said that children
learn by interacting directly with their environment. They have no knowledge of what they
have not experienced themselves (pg.20).
6. The textbook argues that life begins at conception. Reflect on how agreement with this
statement might influence one’s study of developmental psychology. Please include at least 5
complete sentences, and cite appropriately any ideas you include from our textbook. Note that
you are not required to agree with this position but the question must be answered within this
context.
If an individual believes life begins at conception, there is most likely a spiritual worldview.
For example, if this individual has Christian values, Psalm 139 might be their reasoning for
believing life begins at conception. They might have grown up being taught this as well. I
am on the fence for this stance, therefore am interested in how this course will help me
further my knowledge. I personally believe scientific life begins at conception, but the life
itself does not begin until the child is more than 10 weeks gestation. That time frame is when
you can see definng features and the heart has fully formed.
7. Describe a concept from chapters 1 or 2 in our textbook that you found particularly surprising
or interesting. Explain why it was surprising or interesting to you. Is this concept important to
our study of human development? Why or why not. Please include at least 5 complete sentences,
and cite appropriately any ideas you include from our textbook.
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I found chapter two in the textbook had some interesting statements about genetics. One of
the concepts I found most interesting is, the dominant and recessive traits. I found this bit
interesting because it states dimples in cheeks are a dominant trait and blue eyes as a ressisve
trait. For example, neither me or my fiancé have cheek dimples, yet my son has two dimples.
My fiancé has green eyes and I have brown eyes, however, my son has blue eyes. I find it
absolutely fascinating how God chooses us to create in His image, and how science works to
provide the image He has created.
