Developmental Psychology In Memory

Introduction to Developmental Psychology in Memory

• Cognitive development is essential in understanding how memory evolves and improves over time.
• The ability to form, store, and recall memories is linked to various stages of development.

Piaget’s Contribution

• Jean Piaget theorised that cognitive development involves four stages: sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational.
• These stages significantly affect the way a person remembers information.

Memory Skills and Age

• Memory skills are routinely seen to improve as a child grows. Both capacity and duration of memory reportedly increase.
• However, these skills only seem to improve significantly around the age of 7, which coincides with Piaget’s shift to the concrete operational stage.

Factors Affecting Memory Development

• Various factors can impact the development of memory, such as brain plasticity, environmental influence, and enculturation.
• Exploration of the role of language has found links between language acquisition and memory development.

Memory and learning

• Memory techniques can be adjusted according to a child’s development, promoting learning in schools.
• Educational psychology uses developmental theories to shape teaching to suit different memory and cognitive capabilities.

Exceptions and Special Cases

• There are instances where children show advanced memory skills. Savants and child prodigies often have exceptional memory abilities.
• Dementia can impact memory in older adults – although not strictly ‘developmental’, it’s a relevant area within lifespan development.

Cognitive Neuroscience and Memory

• Cognitive neuroscience has offered insights into the physical changes in the brain that accompany memory development.
• Brain imaging techniques can show real-time neural activity during memory formation and recall.