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Newborn babies have very primitive reactions to the environment. Most of them are reflexes, which are automatic responses to stimuli. For example, the rooting reflex causes a baby to turn its head and open its mouth when its cheek is stroked, helping it find the breast for feeding. The sucking reflex enables the baby to suck and swallow milk, letting the baby obtain nutrients from the mother. The startle reflex occurs when a baby is startled by a loud noise or sudden movement, causing it to throw its arms out and squirm. These reflexes are essential for survival and indicate that the baby's nervous system is developing properly.

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Maturation refers to the growth process that happens in a predetermined sequence, largely influenced by genetics. For example, babies can show signs of motor development such as lifting their heads, rolling over, sitting up, crawling, and eventually walking, all in a specific order. This is because of the rapid development of the nervous system and muscles, gifting higher fidelity and strength to the baby over time. Even though the child may have a rapidly developing brain, most infantile memories are not preserved into adulthood. This phenomenon is known as infantile amnesia, where adults typically cannot recall memories from their early childhood years, usually before the age of three. For example, I used to have a favorite toy as a baby, but I cannot recall any characteristic of it, nor do I remember the existence of said toy.

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Piaget theorized that cognitive development was composed of four discrete stages in life. Stage 1 is the Sensorimotor Stage, approximately spanning from birth to 2 year olds. In this stage, children learn about their environment solely through their senses and actions. Throughout the experience of new occurings, they start to build schemas, which are basic units of knowledge. The process of obtaining these schemas from patterns is called assimilation. During this phase, they also learn about Object Permanence, the idea that things moving out of sight do not necessarily disappear. Next comes the Preoperational Stage. During this phase, children are known to be Egocentric, or having difficulty understanding others' feelings. Despite this, toddlers of this age can develop Theory of Mind, which describes the ability to infer others' emotions or state of mind.

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Imprinting is the behavioral process by which infants display increased attachment towards the first moving object they encounter, typically their caregiver. Some degree of attachment is achieved by imprinting, but unless they are reinforced, these attachments may not persist. Such conditions can cause less confidence, anxiety, and difficulty in forming relationships later in life. The optimal daycare environment for infants would induce comfort and security, giving them the confidence to explore and continue learning through diverse stimuli.

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There are three main parenting styles: Authoritarian: High demands with low responsiveness. Parents impose strong rules and expect complete obedience, often without explaining reasoning. This style can lead to children who are obedient but tend to have lower self-esteem and social skills. Permissive: Low demands with high responsiveness. Parents are indulgent and tend to avoid setting boundaries, leading to children who may struggle with self-discipline and authority. Authoritative: High demands with high responsiveness. Parents set clear rules but also provide support and explanations. This balanced approach tends to result in children who are confident, socially adept, and capable of self-regulation. This is widely regarded as the most effective style of parenting to raise successful children.

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Puberty is the period where adolescents undergo drastic physical and hormonal changes. During this period, the body essentially goes through sexual maturation. They can develop Primary sex characteristics, or the reproductive organs. Following them, Secondary sex characteristics can follow, which include features like increased body hair, breast development, and other changes not directly related to reproduction.

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Identity is so imporant in adolescence because it is crucial for individuals to develop a sense of who they are. It is difficult to form because overcommitting to an identity too early can lead to Forclosure of Identity, where individuals decide their identity without enough prior exploration. During this Adolescent stage, individuals experience change in their relations to peers and their parents. During these stages, people can experience the problem of Identity and Role Confusion, where they are unsure about their place in society and their future roles. Adolescents also experience increased independence, or the inclination to separate onself from their parents.

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Major physical changes that men and women experience in middle adulthood include Decrease in testosterone levels in men, leading to reduced energy levels and muscle mass. Decrease in estrogen levels and increase in testosterone levels can lead to menopause and associated symptoms such as hot flashes and mood swings. The increase in testosterone can improve mood and energy levels. The Death-defferal phenomenon is a phenomenon that refers to the observed increase in mortality rates immediately following significant life events, such as holidays or birthdays. This implies that humans have a capability to extend their life to a certain point solely by willpower. Causes of Alzheimer's is highly debated and is largely unknown, as it may be linked to various factors such as lifestyle and genetics. The most direct cause is thought to be the buildup of amyloid-β plaques and τ proteins. The effects are mainly forgetfulness and decrease in overall cognitive function as the plaques interfere with the neurons.

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Using reminder cues and keeping active lifestyles can help prevent the degredation of Prospective Memory, or the ability to "remember to remember".

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Cohabitation is the practice of living together and having an intimate relationship without being married. They are known to have both positive and negative effects. On the positive side, cohabitation can let couples know more about each other before marriage, deepen relationships, and provide more confidence in marriage decisions. On the negative side, cohabitation may make it harder to break up, due to the large commitment that both sides made on this decision. Marital Success is generally measured by communication, respect, boundaries, and trust. I agree with this assertion, as I believe that these factors are fundamental to a healthy relationship, regardless of the type of relationship. The best ways to find happiness in work is to find a job that aligns with one's interests, provides a sense of purpose, and offers opportunities for growth and development. A healthy work-life balance is also crucial for preventing burnout and maintaining general mental health.

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