Psychology Worksheet Sample

Ysabel Marisse A. Gelido December 10, 2012 Score

Reading Worksheet No. 1
Topic
Chen, H., Morris, M.J (2007). Maternal Smoking: A contributor for the obesity epidemic? Obesity Research and Clinical Practice (2007), 1, 156-163

A. Two key issues/theories in developmental psychology that I learned from the readings and my own understanding of these concepts or theories:

1. Psychosexual Development- according to Freud, it is a series of stages that children pass through in which pleasure, or gratification, focuses on a particular biological function and body part 2. Psychosocial Development- according to Erickson, it is the approach that encompasses changes in our interactions with and understandings of one another, as well as in our knowledge and understanding of ourselves as members of society

B. Assess development by looking at:

a. Continuous change or discontinuous change

Discontinuous change. Maternal smoking has a great impact on the fetal development and even the birth weight. Because of maternal smoking and some environmental factors that increases the risk of obesity, the infant may have increase its weight as it age to become an adult. It follows a series of changes as its weight grows bigger and bigger until it becomes obese.

“In summary, smoking during pregnancy has an important impact on maternal metabolism and significantly influences fetal development and birth weight. In addition, it is associated with increased risks of both childhood and adulthood obesity and elevated blood pressure.” (Al Mamun A, Lawlor DA, Alati R, O’Callaghan MJ, WilliamsGM, Najman JM. 2006 as cited by Chen & Norris )

b. Nature (genetic factors) or nurture (environmental factors)

Nurture. Smoking cessation is the one that results to obesity and not maternal smoking there is just the incidence that obesity is higher in children and adults born of smoking mothers. There are environmental factors that may result to obesity as it is said, “As the offspring age, the environment is likely to exert a greater influence on the metabolic outcomes of interest. Without dietary challenge, low body weight due to early postnatal or intrauterine under nutrition in the rodent can be maintained till adulthood [116,117]. When a high fat diet was introduced, there was catch-up growth [116]. An increased incidence of obesity in offspring of parents who smoke may be also linked to an unhealthy lifestyle modeled by their parents who might be also obesity-prone. Studies that can strictly control the postnatal environment are required to separate the effects of maternal smoking per se from postnatal lifestyle influences.” (Bieswal F, Ahn M-T, Reusens B, Holvoet P, Raes M, Rees WD, et al., Prior LJ, Morris MJ. 2006 as cited by Chen & Norris )

c. Critical periods or Sensitive periods

Infancy is a critical period for development of obesity. Infants are dependent on someone to feed them and for locomotion. What happens in the first months of life could be essential for lifelong nutritional status. (Gillman M., 2008) Childhood obesity often persists throughout adulthood. Recently a higher prevalence of obesity in adults whose mothers smoked during pregnancy was reported. (Toschke AM, Koletzko B, Slikker W Jr, Hermann M, von Kries R., 2002)

Proof: “It has been shown that when mothers stopped smoking during pregnancy, body mass index and incidence of overweight and obesity among adolescent offspring were similar to those of non-smoking mothers, even if the mothers smoked at other times in the child’s life. (Higgins S., 2002 as cited by Chen & Norris) In summary, smoking during pregnancy has an important impact on maternal metabolism and significantly influences fetal development and birth weight. (Al Mamun A, Lawlor DA, Alati R, O’Callaghan MJ, Williams GM, Najman JM., 2006 as cited by Chen & Norris)

d. Lifespan approach or focus on particular periods

Focus on particular periods. It is said that obesity in children and adulthood results to the effect of maternal smoking. Maternal smoking has a great impact on the development of person in the said stages.

“The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide, and the rising number of obese children and adolescents is of particular concern.” (Chen & Norris, 2007 pp. 155)