Unit 3 - Lesson 2
AP Psychology Lesson: Lifespan Development: Physical, Cognitive, and Social-Emotional Growth
Unit: Development and Learning | Lesson: 2 of 3 | Topic: Lifespan Development: Physical, Cognitive, and Social-Emotional Growth
AP Exam Weighting: 15%–25% of exam score
Instructions: Complete this lesson during class by filling in the blanks and answering questions. All information needed is provided or will be researched in class. This lesson prepares you for the AP Psychology exam by exploring how development across the lifespan influences behavior, a key concept in developmental psychology. Use the provided spaces to write your answers clearly, focusing on applying concepts critically.
Warm-Up
Purpose: Get you thinking about how development shapes behavior.
Questions:
- How have your abilities or personality changed since you were younger?
- Why might an elderly person struggle with new technology?
Your Answers: Write a short response (1–2 sentences) for each question.
Key Concepts
Instructions: Read the information below and answer the questions to learn core AP concepts. For definitions, write them in your own words based on the content or look up a different definition if directed by your teacher (e.g., via apa.org or Google Scholar).
Content: Lifespan development examines physical, cognitive, and social-emotional changes from birth to old age. Physical development includes motor skills in childhood and declines in aging (e.g., walking vs. reduced mobility). Cognitive development (Piaget) involves stages like sensorimotor (learning through senses) and formal operations (abstract thinking). Social-emotional development (Erikson) includes stages like trust vs. mistrust in infancy and generativity vs. stagnation in middle age. Example: A toddler learns to walk (physical) and trusts caregivers (social-emotional). Attachment theory (Bowlby) explains how early bonds affect relationships (e.g., secure attachment predicts healthy adult connections). Developmental milestones influence behaviors like independence or empathy. Environmental factors, like parenting or culture, shape development across stages.
- Define lifespan development in your own words: _______________________________
- Define cognitive development in your own words: _______________________________
- Define attachment theory in your own words: _______________________________
- Explain how physical development influences a behavior, using a specific example:
- Explain how social-emotional development influences a behavior, using a different example:
- How does Piaget’s theory of cognitive development explain learning in childhood?
- Why might early attachment affect adult relationships?
- How could cultural factors influence developmental milestones?
Guided Activity
Instructions: Work in pairs to complete the two tasks below. Write your answers and be prepared to share one key point from each task with the class.
Task 1: Scenario Analysis: Scenario: A teenager develops strong problem-solving skills but struggles to trust peers. Analyze how cognitive development (Piaget) and social-emotional development (Erikson) contribute to these behaviors. For example, consider how formal operations or identity vs. role confusion shape their actions.
Your Response for Task 1: Explain the role of each concept in the behavior.
Class Share for Task 1: Note one point you’ll share.
Task 2: Case Application: Imagine an elderly person who maintains close friendships but struggles with physical mobility. Apply the concepts of physical development, social-emotional development, and attachment theory to explain their experience. For example, evaluate how aging or early bonds affect their behavior.
Your Response for Task 2: Apply the concepts to explain the person’s experience.
Class Share for Task 2: Note one point you’ll share.
Class Assignment: Refer to the assignment file for this lesson
Instructions: Complete the tasks below to deepen your understanding of lifespan development.
Study Summary 1: A 2016 study found that secure attachment in infancy predicted stronger adult relationships, but socioeconomic factors influenced outcomes.
Question 1: How does this study demonstrate the role of attachment theory in development, and what might explain the influence of socioeconomic factors?
Study Summary 2: A 2019 study showed that cognitive development in adolescence (formal operations) improved problem-solving, but cultural expectations shaped skill application.
Question 2: Evaluate how this study illustrates the interaction of cognitive development and culture, and suggest one limitation of its findings.
AP Exam Connection: This practices analyzing and evaluating research, a key skill for FRQs.
AP Exam Practice
Instructions: Answer the question below. We’ll review answers as a class to learn exam strategies.
Free-Response Question (FRQ):
Explain how physical development, cognitive development, and social-emotional development interact to influence a specific behavior (e.g., independence, learning, or relationships). Provide one example for each factor (physical, cognitive, social-emotional) and analyze how they interact to shape the behavior.
Closure
Instructions: Write a brief summary (2–3 sentences) of two key ideas you learned today about how lifespan development influences behavior.
Extended Practice
Instructions: Complete the tasks below based on today’s lesson to reinforce AP skills.
- Review your answers from this lesson.
- Write a detailed paragraph (5–7 sentences) applying today’s topic to a real-life behavior (e.g., how development affects your school performance or relationships). Include references to physical development, cognitive development, and social-emotional development, and explain their interaction.
- Find a short article or study on lifespan development (e.g., via apa.org) and write 2–3 sentences summarizing its relevance to today’s lesson. Cite the source (e.g., website or article title).