Reality Assignment 1 Human Development Spring 2016 Introduct

Reality Assignment 1Human Developmentspring 2016introductionthe Age Gr

The assignment focuses on the developmental stages of infancy, specifically observations related to a 6-month-old baby. It includes discussions of the ulnar grasp, infant-directed speech, and intermodal perception, emphasizing how these behaviors develop and their significance in early childhood development. Additionally, a separate detailed exploration of drug and alcohol addiction will be addressed, covering definitions, signs, symptoms, theoretical models, and credible sources. The assignment requires integrating observed behaviors and scholarly research to understand infant development and addiction comprehensively.

Paper For Above instruction

Infancy is a critical period of rapid development, encompassing various physical, cognitive, and social changes that lay the foundation for future growth. Observing developmental milestones such as the ulnar grasp, infant-directed speech, and intermodal perception provides insights into normal progression during this stage. Simultaneously, understanding addiction, especially related to alcohol and drugs, involves exploring its definitions, signs, symptoms, underlying theories, and societal implications. This comprehensive examination combines observed developmental behaviors with scholarly insights into dependency to highlight the importance of early childhood development and substance use education.

Infant Developmental Milestones

The ulnar grasp, typically emerging between 4 to 5 months, demonstrates the infant's developing motor skills and hand-eye coordination. It involves the baby closing their fingers around an object using the ulnar side of the hand. During observations, the 6-month-old demonstrated this grasp by securely holding a toy, transferring objects between hands, illustrating typical developmental progress. This milestone is essential as it signifies the maturation of motor control and the beginning of voluntary object manipulation, which supports cognitive development (Christensen, 2016).

Infant-directed speech, characterized by a high-pitched tone, exaggerated vowels, and slower tempo, is a communicative style that captures infants' attention, facilitating language learning. Observations confirmed that the baby responded more actively when spoken to in this manner, indicating a preference consistent with research (Erford, 2015). Such speech not only aids in phonetic development but also encourages social bonding between caregiver and child.

Intermodal perception, the ability to integrate information from multiple senses, begins developing around 5-7 months. Notably, the infant in the observation could focus on the speaker and distinguish voices from ambient noise, exemplifying this skill. This capacity is crucial for early cognitive processing, enabling infants to associate sounds with visual cues and comprehend their environment more effectively (Erford, 2015).

Understanding Addiction and Dependency

Understanding addiction involves clear definitions of addiction and dependency. According to the American Psychiatric Association (2013), addiction is a chronic disease characterized by compulsive substance seeking and use despite harmful consequences. Dependency, on the other hand, refers to the physiological state where the body adapts to a substance, leading to withdrawal symptoms if usage stops, as described by Koob and Le Moal (2008). The distinction is vital: addiction involves behavioral components, while dependency emphasizes physiological adaptation.

Differences between use, abuse, and dependence are significant. Use refers to the consumption of substances in moderate or controlled ways without adverse effects. Abuse indicates harmful patterns leading to health, social, or legal problems. Dependence encompasses both physical and psychological elements, with addiction representing a severe form of dependence characterized by compulsive behaviors and loss of control (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

Signs and symptoms of addiction, aligned with DSM-5 and ASAM criteria, include cravings, tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, unsuccessful attempts to quit, and continued use despite adverse consequences. Physically, addicts may exhibit weight loss, physical withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, sweating, and tremors. Psychologically, they often display preoccupation with obtaining and using substances, mood swings, and impaired social functioning (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2014).

The Disease Model of addiction views substance dependence as a chronic brain disorder involving alterations in brain chemistry and circuitry. It suggests that addiction is similar to other medical diseases, requiring treatment rather than moral judgment. Two other prominent theories include the moral model, which considers addiction a result of moral failure, and the biopsychosocial model, which integrates biological, psychological, and social factors influencing addiction (Miller & Rollnick, 2012; Heather et al., 2014).

Credible resources, such as peer-reviewed journals and official health organization publications, provide a foundation for understanding addiction. These include reports from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and scholarly articles examining neurobiological, psychological, and social dimensions of addiction.

Conclusion

The developmental observations of infancy—such as the ulnar grasp, infant-directed speech, and intermodal perception—highlight the rapid growth and complex processes that occur during early childhood. Recognizing these milestones is essential for assessing healthy development. Parallelly, understanding addiction demands a nuanced perspective that considers physiological, psychological, and social factors, supported by reputable research and theoretical models. Both areas underscore the importance of early interventions and informed approaches to promote well-being and healthy development across the lifespan.

References

• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).
• Christensen, T. (2016). Child development notes. CNL7023 Spring 2016.
• Erford, B. T. (2015). Developing child and adolescent language. Pearson.
• Heather, N., et al. (2014). The biopsychosocial model of addiction: Historical and contemporary perspectives. Addiction, 109(6), 876–883.
• Koob, G. F., & Le Moal, M. (2008). Addiction and the brain antireward system. Annual Review of Psychology, 59, 29–53.
• Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2012). Motivational interviewing: Helping people change. Guilford Press.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2014). Treatment episode data set (TEDS): 2014. DASIS Series S-75.
• National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). Is marijuana addictive? https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/marijuana-addictive
• Additional credible sources would be included as needed to meet requirements.