Developmental Psychology

Developmental Psychology Free Online Research Papers The Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget (1896–1980) developed his theory of genetic epistemology throughout a nearly 60-year career as a professor and experimental researcher. Before he was 30 years of age, he was world renowned for his explorations of the cognitive development of children. Piaget is credited with fundimental contributions to the disciplines of child psychology, educational psychology, and, most famously, his cognitive development theory. Piagets experimental studies of infants, children, and adolescents provided insight into the nature of knowledge and how it is acquired. He took childrens thinking seriously and respected them as the architects of their own intellectual development. Piagets child-centered research and observations of infants and children led him to the discovery that children think in different ways than adults as they progress through four distinct stages of development. Sensory-motor stage (birth to about 2 years): Infants rely on their senses to understand the world around them. Preoperational stage (about 2 to 7 years): Pre-school children develop an increased capacity for symbolic thinking and the use of language and images. Concrete-operational stage (about 7 to 11 years): Children think logically and begin to see the world from others perspective. Formal operational stage (age 11 to adult): Hypothetical and abstract reasoning with systematic problem solving and abstract thinking. The formal operational stage begins at approximately age eleven to and lasts into adulthood. During this time, people develop the ability to think about abstract concepts. Skills such as logical thought, deductive reasoning, and systematic planning also emerge during this stage. Piaget believed that deductive logic becomes apparent during the formal operational stage. Deductive logic requires the ability to use a general principle to determine a specific outcome. This type of thinking involves hypothetical situations and is often required in science and mathematics. While children tend to think very concretely and specifically in earlier stages, the ability to think about abstract concepts emerges during the formal operational stage. Instead of relying solely on previous experiences, children begin to consider possible outcomes and consequences of actions. This type of thinking is important in long-term planning. In earlier stages, children used trial-and-error to solve problems. Dur ing the formal operational stage, the ability to systematically solve a problem in a logical and methodical way emerges. Children at the formal operational stage of cognitive development are often able to quickly plan an organized approach to solving a problem and have abstract thoughts. During the formal operational stage, the child goes through dramatic changes concerning his or her physiological and psychological state. During their course of development, adolescents face various developmental challenges and conflicts. These challenges need to resolve in order to move forward through their development. Hence, adolescence is a transitional period, where an individual goes from childhood to full maturity. Adolescents change cognitively in terms of the way that they think about social matters. Adolescent Egocentrism governs the way that adolescents think about social matters and is the heightened self-consciousness. This self awareness is reflected in their sense of personal uniqueness. Adolescent Egocentrism can be dissected into two types of social thinking: imaginary audience that involves attention getting behavior, and personal fable which involves an adolescents sense of personal uniqueness and invincibility, among others. The world renowned psychiatrist, Erik Erikson, presented the eight stages of emotional development which compliments Piaget’s theory. He stated that in the stage of adolescence (which he calls Identity vs. Role Confusion) the child learns how to answer satisfactorily and happily the question of Who am I? But even the best adjusted of adolescents experiences some role identity confusion. For instance, most teens experiment with minor delinquency, rebellious behavior, and self – doubting thoughts. Love, trust and authority can be the factors which decide what an adolescent’s personality and emotional development will be. The nature of love, and how the capacity to love develops, has become the subject of scientific study over the last decade. It has great implication for child development. Scientists have found that in addition to shaping the brains of infants, a mothers love acts as a guide for love itself. It has far reaching effects on her childs development and ability to love throughout life. However, what is less obvious is that a parent’s love is equally, if not more important for a child during adolescence. Although parents normally remain an important source of guidance and support, part of the adolescents struggle is to work toward independence from them. Thus adolescents continue to rely on their parents for material support and instrumental rewards, normally respecting their ideals as sources of continuity and stability. They are less likely, however, to see their parents as helpful in developing their views on present and future issues. For their part, parents generally feel an ob ligation to â€Å"socialize their adolescents properly by choosing their friends and placing them in certain groups and, hence, tend to be judgmental as their adolescent children explore different directions. Therefore, close friendships, because they involve non-judgmental yet caring equals, help the adolescent develop a sense of identity by offering a climate of growth and self-knowledge that the family may not be equipped for. In Tanach we see such a strong friendship in David and Yonasan. Although Yonasan was defying his father by seeing David, their bond was too strong to break. When it came to choosing between obeying his father and saving David’s life, Yonasan chose to save David, even though it meant facing his father’s angry wrath afterward. Their friendship had meant to much to him. Trust is another important aspect in an adolescent’s life. They need to trust, and be trusted. If a teen feels like they aren’t being trusted they may rebel. A study was done to see a pre-teen’s trust in their parents and the results showed that early and middle adolescents were willing to depend on mothers and fathers. However, with increasing age, adolescents were less likely to share private thoughts, feelings, and secrets with parents. While daughters and sons were similar in their willingness to depend on parents, daughters reported sharing confidences more with mothers and less with fathers. This is unlike the son’s whose preference was the father. Contrary to expectations, adolescents trust in best friends did not vary with age, but females reported greater trust in friends than did males. In Judaism, trust plays a major role. Emunah, trust in our G-d, trust in our rabbis and teachers, trust in our parents, and trust between peers is what makes someone a better person. If one does not place his trust in people, then he will have a hard time in life and always be looking behind his back to see what someone is doing. Trust is one of the keys to a happy and healthy life. The famous story of Peter, the boy who ‘cried wolf’ is a well known example of an adolescent taking advantage and misusing given trust. He had the trust of the townspeople until he used it up and no one wanted to help him when he really needed it. As a child enters adolescence, perhaps due to the fact that logical and abstract reasoning skills increase, and there is also a greater tendency to question authority. Also adolescents test the limits of new adult roles because they feel as if they don’t fit in with the younger children anymore, and need to prove to the adults that they are â€Å"just like them†. At this time, emotional adaptation becomes necessary for both adolescents and their parents. Authority is also a big factor in the Jewish outlook on life. We have the authority of rabbis and parents which we must accept, and of course, it all stems from our submission to the will of Hashem. There’s a story about a man who didn’t listen to his rabbanim, and as a result, the people in his town did not want to accept him into their circles. They ignored him and his life was becoming increasingly difficult. After a while, this man realized that he could not go on without the support of his peers, and he knew that they were right for not befriending him. He understood that in order to live a decent life, one must accept authority. Once he was able to mend his ways he became reaccepted and lived a happy life. Jean Piaget’s cognitive development theory not only describes perfectly what is going on in each child’s brain as they grow and develop but it also pays tribute to the psychologist Erikson, whose theory compliments Piaget’s. Most theories on development stem from Piaget’s original theory. Love, trust and authority may not be written straight out in his texts, but somewhere along the lines, Piaget knew what comes into play in the development of a child and that those three factors are definitely important to a healthy development. ? Sources 1] E-Notes.com: enotes.com/psychology-theories/piaget-jean 2] Psychology today – Psychological journal: http://psychology.about.com/od/piagetstheory/p/formaloperation.htm 3] Associated Content.com : associatedcontent.com/article/365045/physical_and_social_development_of.html 4] Wikipedia-online encyclopedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_cognitive_development 5] Looking Forward Through the Lifespan by K. Peterson Research Papers on Developmental PsychologyEffects of Television Violence on ChildrenThree Concepts of PsychodynamicInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesPersonal Experience with Teen PregnancyRelationship between Media Coverage and Social andResearch Process Part OneOpen Architechture a white paperComparison: Letter from Birmingham and CritoBionic Assembly System: A New Concept of SelfThe Spring and Autumn

What Is the SAT A Complete Explanation of the Test

What Is the SAT A Complete Explanation of the Test SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips If you’re thinking of applying to college, it’s vital that you know what the SAT is and how it will affect your application process. So what is the SAT? It’s one of two standardized college admissions tests in the US.(The other is the ACT.) It's run by the College Board, a non-profit that also administersthe PSAT and the AP (Advanced Placement) program. The SAT was originally adapted from an Army IQ test and administered as a college admissions test for the first time in 1926. However, it didn't really catch on until 1933, when the presidentof Harvard started using the test to assess scholarship applicants because he believed it was an effective measurement of intellectual potential. This view of the SAThelped propel its popularity- by the 1940s, it had become the standard test for all college applicantsandwas administered to over 300,000 people across the country. The SAT's dominance of college admissions testing was challenged with the creation of the ACT in 1959. Though initiallymuch less popular than the SAT, the ACT took hold in the Midwest and the mountain states and, in 2010, actually surpassed the SAT to become the most popular college admissions test. In part because of the increased competition from the ACT,the SAT recently underwentsome big changes in 2016. The basic purpose and form of the test arethe same (it’s still a multiple choice test used for college admissions decisions), but certain aspects of the structure and content havechanged. Schools must have approved of these changes because,in 2018, the SAT reclaimed its title and once again became the most popular college admissions test. This post will establish the basics of the SAT to help you prepare for this important test. Why Do People Take the SAT? The SAT is a standardized test meant to show schools how prepared you are for college by measuringkey skills like reading comprehension, computational ability, and clarity of expression. Because so many students take the test, it also provides schools with data about how you compare to your peers nationwide. You'll almost certainly need to take the SAT or ACT if you're applying to colleges or universities in the United States, since most require you to submit test scores with your application.Depending on where you want to apply, your ACT or SAT score can account for as much as 50% of the admission decision, so a strong standardized test score is vital. Additionally,several states require all high school juniors to take the SAT, including Delaware, Illinois, andMichigan. If you want to go to University of Illinois, you must submit SAT or ACT scores. (Kevin Dooley/Flickr) Which Schools Accept the SAT? All four-year colleges in the US accept the SAT, and, as I mentioned above, most schools require either the SAT or the ACT (they don’t differentiate between the two). However,there are an increasing number of colleges and universities with more flexible policies, so make sure to check with the specific schools you're planning to apply to. You’ll also need to take the SAT or ACT if you’re a US student looking to apply to schools in the UK or Canada or an international studenthoping to attend college in the US. What Does the SAT Cover? The SAT has foursections, as well an optional essay.The first section will be Reading, followed by Writing and Language, then the no calculator section of Math, followed by the Math section you're allowed a calculator on. If you decide to take the SAT essay,it'll be the final section of the exam. Most SAT questions are multiple choice, but five questions on Math No Calculator and eight questions on Math Calculator will be grid-ins. When you take the SAT, you’ll get a 5-minute break after about every hour of testing. That means you’ll get a break after the Reading section and a second one after the Math No Calculator. If you’re taking the Essay section, you’ll also get a break before starting. The total time of the SAT is 3 hours if you don't take the essay, and 3 hours and 50 minutes if you do take the essay. The following chart breaks downthe format of the test. Order Section Time in Minutes # of Questions Time per question 1 Reading 65 52 75 seconds 2 Writing and Language 35 44 48 seconds 3 Math No Calculator 25 20 75 seconds 4 Math Calculator 55 38 77 seconds 5 Essay (optional) 50 1 Total: 3 hours, 50 minutes (3 hours without essay) 154 (+1 essay prompt) How Is the SAT Scored? When you take the SAT, you'll be given a total score between 400 and 1600.The SAT has two major sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (combined from Reading + Writing and Language), and Math. You can earn a scaled score of between 200 and 800 points on each section.But where does the scoring scale come from? You start with a raw score for each topic area.Your raw score is simply the number of questions you answered correctly;skipped or wrong questions do not add or subtract from your raw score.That number is then converted into ascaled score through a process called equating- the College Board is a bit cagey about how exactly this works, but it's based on years worth of data rather than how people do on a specific test date. The average SAT score is 1068,with some variation from year to year, but what counts as a good score for you will really depend on where you’re looking to apply. To get into a top-tier schoolyou'll likely need to score about 1500 or higher, but for the local branch of the state university you mightbe just fine with a 1050. When Should You Take the SAT? The ideal time to take the SAT for the first time is usually in winter of your junior year, when you’ve covered most of the material in school, but you still have time to take it again. Your testing schedule may be different, however, especially if you need SAT scores for another purpose or are required to take it by your school. You've got to be organized in your SAT prep planning! (Teresa Robinson/Flickr) Everything You Need to Plan for the SAT Hopefully you now understand what the SAT is and why you might need to take it. The hardpart is still to come, however- preparing for the test. To help with that, I've listed some ofthe key questions you need to consideras you start planningfor standardized tests and college applications more generally. Should I Take the SAT or the ACT? It's hard to know for sure which of the two standardized tests will be better for you without your trying them out. However, if you aren't up for spending the time to take two full practice tests, take a look at this guide to help you decide. Also, keep in mind that, for many students, there's not that big of a difference between the SAT and the ACT. What SAT Score Do I Need to Get Into College? To reiterate: what score you should shoot for depends on where you want to apply. Use the formula in this articleto calculate your ideal SATscore. What's the Best Way to Prepare for the SAT? Now that you've calculated what your SAT scoregoal is, you need to decide how to get there. Will you do betterhiring a tutor or studying on yourown?You may also want to consider an online program like PrepScholar! If you do decide to take on the SATprep process on your own, make sure you get the best book for your needs. Taking official practice SATs is also key to understanding the exam and learning where you need to improve during your studying. What Do I Need to Know to Prepare for the SAT? There are three key aspects of prepping for the SAT: learning the logic of the test, studyingthe content, and practicing the questions. To get a sense of how to think effectively about the SAT, download our guide to the 5 strategies that you must use. For specific information on thematerialcovered and the styles of questions you'll see on the SAT, try our complete guides to each section: reading, math, and writing. For practice materials, you can find the best SATpractice tests here and an in-depth guide on how to use them here. What's Next? Here are the best study guides for SAT Reading, SAT Writing, and SAT Math, available anywhere. I guarantee you that these guides will improve your score! Want more guidance on SAT study plans?Get tips on how long you should study for the SAT and learn how many times you should take the SAT. Taking the ACT instead of or in addition to the SAT?Then you'll benefit greatly by taking a look at our ultimate ACT guide. Like this guide, we give you tons of free links and resources so that you can have a successful test day! Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points? Check out our best-in-class online SAT prep classes. We guarantee your money back if you don't improve your SAT score by 160 points or more. Our classes are entirely online, and they're taught by SAT experts. If you liked this article, you'll love our classes. Along with expert-led classes, you'll get personalized homework with thousands of practice problems organized by individual skills so you learn most effectively. We'll also give you a step-by-step, custom program to follow so you'll never be confused about what to study next. Try it risk-free today: