Level 4 Developmental Psychology Revision Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, theories, developmental stages, and concepts from Level 4 Developmental Psychology.

Developmental psychology

The study of how people change and develop throughout their lives, looking at physical, cognitive, social and emotional development.

Developmental milestones

Skills or abilities that are typically achieved around particular stages of development, involving physical, cognitive, social or emotional development.

Physical development

An area of development involving changes to the body, including growth, puberty, coordination and motor skills.

Cognitive development

An area of development referring to changes in thinking, reasoning, memory, problem-solving and understanding.

Social development

An area of development involving learning how to interact with other people and developing relationships with family members, peers and others.

Emotional development

An area of development involving recognising, expressing and managing emotions, as well as developing emotional independence and understanding other people's feelings.

Nature

Biological and genetic factors that influence development, including inherited characteristics and biological processes.

Nurture

Environmental influences that affect development, such as parenting, education, friendships, culture and life experiences.

Continuous development

A perspective suggesting that development happens gradually over time through small and steady changes.

Discontinuous development

A perspective suggesting that development occurs through separate stages, with noticeable differences between stages.

Stage theories

Theories associated with discontinuous development that suggest people move through separate, distinct stages of development.

Schemas

Mental frameworks that help children organise and understand information about the world.

Assimilation

The process that happens when new information is added to an existing schema without significantly changing the schema.

Accommodation

The process occurring when an existing schema has to be changed, or a new schema created, because new information does not fit.

Sensorimotor stage

Piaget's stage occurring from approximately birth to $2$ years, where babies learn mainly through their senses and physical actions, and object permanence develops.

Pre-operational stage

Piaget's stage occurring at approximately $2$ to $7$ years, where children develop language and symbolic thinking but can struggle to understand another person's perspective.

Concrete operational stage

Piaget's stage occurring at approximately $7$ to $11$ years, where children become capable of logical thinking about concrete situations and develop abilities such as conservation.

Formal operational stage

Piaget's stage beginning at approximately $11$ years, where young people become increasingly capable of abstract, logical and hypothetical thinking.

Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)

The gap between what a child can complete independently and what they can achieve with appropriate support.

More Knowledgeable Other (MKO)

Someone who has greater knowledge or ability than the learner, such as a teacher, parent or more capable peer.

Scaffolding

Temporary support provided to help a learner complete a task, which is gradually reduced as the learner becomes more capable and independent.

Identity vs role confusion

Erikson's psychosocial stage associated with adolescence, where young people explore their beliefs, values, roles and future goals while developing a sense of identity.

Growth

Changes in development involving increases and changes in body size and physical maturity.

Motor development

A aspect of physical development involving gaining control over body movements.

Gross motor skills

Motor skills that involve larger body movements.

Fine motor skills

Motor skills that involve smaller and more precise body movements.

Puberty

A period of biological development in which hormonal changes cause the body to become sexually mature.

Identity

A person's understanding of who they are, including their beliefs, values and roles.

Attachment

A strong emotional bond between an infant or child and their caregiver.