Lifespan Development: Lives in Context
Web Exercises
Click on the following links. Please note these will open in a new window.
Web Exercise #1: The Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy
LO 3.1 Describe the three periods of prenatal development that begin with conception.
This chapter introduces students to the process of conception and the three periods of prenatal development. In this assignment, students will watch the documentary The Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBIYwiktPsQ
As you watch the video, keep a list of questions you may have while watching it.
Answer the following questions:
- What are three things you learned from watching this video?
- What did you think was the most surprising fact in this video?
- What questions did you have while watching the video? Were they later answered in the video?
- What else do you want to know after watching this video?
Web Exercise #2: Teratogens in Your Life
LO 3.2 Identify how exposure to teratogens can influence the prenatal environment.
The textbook introduces students to teratogens and how they affect the developing baby. Often, students are left wondering if there are any teratogens that may affect them. The answer is yes. Watch the following video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PKZSo4V1As
After watching the video, go to your kitchen and look at the bottom of the plastic containers. How many are you using that are unsafe? Did you throw any away? Do you plan to? Why or why not?
Web Exercise #3: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
LO 3.2 Identify how exposure to teratogens can influence the prenatal environment.
Chapter 3 introduces students to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, the causes of them, and the effects on the developing baby. Babies born with FAS and fetal alcohol effects face many developmental issues during life. Watch the following documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7zfJCW9Yco
- What are some of the issues children with FAS and fetal alcohol effects face?
- What are three details that stood out to you while watching this documentary?
- What questions do you have after watching this video?
Web Exercise #4: The Newborn’s Perceptual Capacities
LO 3.4 Discuss the neonate’s physical capacities, including development in low-birthweight infants.
The textbook discusses infants’ physical capacities. One of these is the baby’s ability to hear in the womb. The following web page provides more detail about this ability:
Read the information provided on the web page. Then look up one of the research studies cited on the page. Answer the following questions:
- What was the study about?
- Why was the study important?
- What was the hypothesis?
- Who were the participants? How old were they? What other information is given?
- What was the procedure?
- What were the results of this study?
- How does this study benefit the field of psychology?
Web Exercise #5: Racial and Ethnic Differences in Pregnancy and Childbirth
LO 3.2 Identify how exposure to teratogens can influence the prenatal environment.
LO 3.3 Explain the process of childbirth.
The textbook discusses the significant ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in prenatal care and that many of these differences are due to the differences minority ethnic groups receive in care. NPRs “All Things Considered” host Ari Shapiro interviews Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, president and dean of the Morehouse School of Medicine, to discuss this issue.
Directions: Have your students listen to the episode at the following link.
After listening to the episode consider the following questions with your students as a whole class or in groups. If students need to further investigate to back up their statements this is strongly advised.
- African American women are more likely to go into pregnancy with diabetes and/or obese then other women. To what extent do you believe this is environmental vs. a genetic complication? Please defend your response with evidence. What, if anything, can be done to help mitigate this?
- Ari Shapiro suggested, after listening to Dr. Montgomery Rice, “that there is something fundamental about the experience of African-American women no matter what their socioeconomic status and medical background might be…” that puts them in a higher risk category for pregnancy. Dr. Montgomery Rice believes this “risk factor” is the discrimination in daily life that African American women face. Considering what the textbook discusses about stress, do you believe daily discrimination and racism could put more stress on pregnant minority mothers and impact the health of their unborn child? Please defend your stance with evidence.