The effects the environment and genetics have on the development of a brain can be very misunderstood. It can be easy to misinterpret some of the ways brain development is effected through interactions at a young age; the impact of experiences with other organisms; and genetics play a role in this process as well. Stress at an early age can cause underdevelopment of the brain and lead to trouble in further growth. Genetics can also have an immense impact on brain development because it is caused by changes in an ancestors genetic makeup or the change of an environment. These few things affect the environment and genetics have on the development of a brain can be very misunderstood. These few things can affect development and the way the brain …show more content…
“In the first few years of life, more than a million neuron connections are formed every second” (Inbrief). Developing children seek interactions with other people. This helps with the process of neurological connections increasing and furthering development. If a child does not acquire these experiences or interactions, there is a gap in the process. Studies have shown that early development is immensely important because a platform for further growth is formed from when the child is born to about age 4 to 5 years old. “The brain is most flexible...early in life to accommodate a broad range of environments and interactions” (Center). The reason for such flexibility during this time is that the brain has to accommodate so much information. But with this flexibility comes a level of vulnerability for the brain. “Chronic, unrelenting stress in early childhood… can be toxic for the developing brain” (Center). If a child during age 4 to 5, and in this stage of time where progress is made are in part of any sort of extreme experience, it places the child in danger of lack of development. It also can make them more vulnerable to mental and/or a physical illness later in life, or no development during the period of time when the stress or event is occurring. These are just a few reasons why children need good and positive early age …show more content…
“Genetic information is best determined by behavior when the environment varies little from generation to generation” (Sherman). An example of this is when there was a guppy study done in 2014 on intellectual evolution. During this study, the researchers altered the surroundings to see if there was a change in genetics and/or brain development. Animals as well as humans are adapting and adjusting to match their changing environment. This can be observed in some recent studies. Scientist have seen a change in the way offspring of some animals brains develop. "Apes, some monkey species, elephants and dolphins, all respond positively...supporting the idea that cognition (high level of flexibility to social and physical environment) is important in behavioral development” (Breed). The environment acts like a framework for development and when the frame bends or warps that causes the brain to then modify to match the current framework. These are some examples of how brains are changing to match a changing environment and how growth of the brain is affected by
Neuroscience is about how the brain develops and functions. how it influences cognitive function and behaviour. About how the nervous system functions how it develops, and what it does. (Neuroscience, 2017) Neuroscientists have shown that the brain is affected by environmental conditions throughout the entire process of development, even prior to birth. This includes the type of nourishment, care, surroundings and stimulation the foetus or infant receives.(moodle,2017)
As every child grows up in a different environment, not all have a safe one to grow up in and as a result everything that surrounds them becomes apart of the clarity that their mind incorporates and becomes apart of that child 's behavior of way. In terms of brain development children or teens often listen, and see what is around them, it is also said, by researchers of the National Institute of Health, that in recent studies that were made that in teen years massive loss of brain tissue...
The first section of the essay will present an insight on the influences of genetic as well as environmental factors on child development. This section will illustrate the different aspects of child development that are best understood within an epigenetic framework and how theories of child development ‘escape’ without considering gene environment interactions. The second section will discuss the interplay between genes and environment and their significant contributions in a child’s development such as intelligence and acquisition of ‘cultural tools’. In this section, we will look at the concept of individual differences, the importance of learning their existence and how biological processes affect individuality through the study of the transactional model. The theory of evolution is a useful approach to understand what aspects of a child develop during his lifespan and how they occur.
“Although experience may affect human brain structure and function throughout the entire life span, evidence.suggests that early experience may be particularly critical” (Rao et al., 2010). During the childhood years, adequate nurturing by parents has a large impact on optimal biological and psychological development. This includes neurological, social, emotional, and cognitive growth. Rao et al. (2010) broadly define nurture as including “warmth, affection, and acceptance” (p. 1145).
It has been proven that a child’s early years are the peak at which the mind can bend and shape, creating the foundation for a life. We know now that even before birth, the mind is a delicate matter that if improperly taken care of could alter a person’s entire life. Nourishment and stimulation before and after the birth of a child mold’s the brain in its most malleable state. Medical and scientific institutes paired with parenting information organizations have made information readily available for parents, childcare providers, and students to advise them of the importance of childhood brain development. This information is not only critical for the child, but for the person they will become in the future.
This chapter discusses The Evolutionary Perspective, Genetic Foundations, reproductive Challenges, and Heredity-Environment Interactions. Natural selection is the process by which those individuals of a species that are best adapted survive and reproduce. Darwin proposed that natural selection fuels evolution. In evolutionary theory, adaptive behavior is behavior that promotes the organism’s survival in a natural habitat. Evolutionary psychology holds that adaptation, reproduction, and “survival of the fittest” are important in shaping behavior. Ideas proposed by evolutionary developmental psychology include the view that an extended childhood period is needed to develop a large brain and learn the complexity of human social communities. According to Baltes, the benefits resulting from evolutionary selection decrease with age mainly because of a decline in reproductive fitness. At the same time, cultural needs increase. Like other theoretical approaches to development, evolutionary psychology has limitations. Bandura rejects “one-sided evolutionism” and argues for a bidirectional lin...
Child development is crucial throughout the early years, during this time the development of the brain occurs. The development of the brain contributes to the functioning of the body. The anatomy of the brain is made up of neurons and divided into four different lobes. The temporal, frontal, parietal, and occipital lobes control a variety of cognitive functions. The brain controls simple functions such as fine and gross motor skills, vision, and memory. According to Meadows (1993, p.263), at all sorts of levels in the brain there are programs for functions such as breathing, sleeping, and producing coherent language. Brain development in children is vital during the early years. During the early years, children brains are active enabling children to learn a variety of information. Many studies have been conducted and they have concluded a healthy lifestyle, physical activity, and exposing young children to a variety of education material assist with child development. The first few years of a child’s life is crucial as far as his intellectual as well as socio-emotional abilities are concerned (Bose, 2000).
The first two years of a humans life are bursting with biosocial, cognitive, and psychosocial development. In the first few weeks after conception to two years after birth a child’s brain experiences more growth than any other organ in the body. During the first two years of a child’s life the brain is very plastic and malleable. In order for children to continue down a path of success and learning there are certain experiences a child must have in order to develop normally. The First Two years of a child life is responsible for the foundation that is layed.
Social; sciences has changed the thinking of youth, and they have different views regarding different things. The process of adolescent development has influenced children ritually. As children develop, physical changes will be apparent to the casual observer. What is less obvious are the many important physiological and neurological changes occurring that will facilitate the other areas of development. During infancy and early childhood, children develop an incredible number of synapses, or branches that reach between neurons. Shortly after this fantastic cycle of growth, many of these synapses disappear. Those that are used more frequently remain. This pro...
Brain Development is a nonstop development, we never stop learning so our brain isn’t going to just stop I mean well when it’s our time, but it won’t as long as you continue to learn and grow. The human brain begins to develop as early as three weeks after conception. But our brain development is a lifetime process. It doesn’t just stop developing at a certain age. There is a difference in brain development in children and adults the early life is impressionable then in the maturity aspect of life. This is a positive thing because as children they learn new thing they’re open to new and exciting things but then again it can be negative because children tend to be vulnerable to development problems. Our brain develops not only from nurture
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In the developing stages of a child, psychological factors play a huge role in th...
During infancy, and childhood the body’s physical development changes at an increasingly speed. During infancy and childhood, growth does not occur at a steady rate (Carel, Lahlou, Roger, & Chaussain, 2004). As the child begins to become older, they are capable of controlling their attention and behavior. The child then begins to experience mood symptoms or disorders more than ever. Having control over the brain allows the child to have control over their
Rapid growth of the brain and nervous system continues during the early years of a child’s life, however because of birth defects or health problems some children may be at a risk of cognitive delays. Problems such as Autism, where children may have a difficult time with language skills and sensitivity to touch, behavioral problems, or chemical exposures can all affect a child’s cognitive development. For most children though with a proper diet and plenty of stimulation cognitive abilities will develop rapidly, and by about 7 years ones cognitive skills have become “functionally related to the elements of adult intelligence.”
The development of the human brain is largely based on relationships acquired during the first few months of life. Traits that a child is born with differ from the ones that he or she gains from an outside environment. The types of things that effects the acquirement of these traits is the environment that the guardian provide, and the interaction between baby and guardian in that environment.