Developmental Psychology Review Flashcards

Flashcards covering key concepts in developmental psychology, including theories, stages, and important terminology.

Developmental Psychology

Study of stability and change, nature and nurture, and continuity or discontinuity in human growth over time.

Stability and Change

Explores which traits persist and which alter across the lifespan.

Nature and Nurture

Examines the roles of genetics and environment in shaping development.

Continuity and Discontinuity

Investigates whether development occurs gradually or in distinct stages.

Zygote

A new cell created by the fertilization of an ovum by a sperm.

Embryo

Stage where basic life support systems begin to form (e.g., heart, nervous system).

Fetus

Stage from roughly 8 weeks until birth, where significant growth and development occur.

Teratogens

Agents (e.g., alcohol, drugs) that can cause birth defects or developmental disorders.

Critical Periods

Specific windows during which certain skills develop most effectively.

Attachment

A strong bond between primary caregivers and the baby.

Secure Attachment

Child seeks comfort from the caregiver when they return, indicating trust.

Anxious Ambivalent Attachment

Child is happy to see the caregiver but then exhibits mixed feelings.

Operant Conditioning

Learning where behaviors are strengthened with rewards and weakened with punishments.

Social Learning Theory (Vygotsky's Theory of Social Learning)

Theory emphasizing learning through observation, imitation, and modeling.

Cognitive Maps

Mental representations of spatial layouts, illustrating latent learning.

Insight Learning

Learning that occurs through sudden realization rather than gradual trial and error.

Kohlberg's Stages of Moral Development

Framework for understanding how individuals develop ethical reasoning.

Foreclosure

A stage in Erik Erikson's psychosocial development where individuals commit to an identity without exploring alternatives, often influenced by parental or societal expectations. For example, a teen deciding to become a doctor simply because their parents are doctors, without considering other career options.

Diffusion

A stage in Erik Erikson's psychosocial development characterized by a lack of commitment to any identity and exploration of options.

Moratorium

A stage in Erik Erikson's psychosocial development where individuals are actively exploring different identities and options but have not yet made a commitment. It often involves a period of crisis and self-reflection.

Achievement

A stage in Erik Erikson's psychosocial development where individuals have explored various identities and made a commitment to one, resulting in a clear sense of self and direction.

Scaffolding

A teaching method that involves providing support to students as they develop new skills or understanding, gradually removing assistance as they become more competent (LEARNING WITH THE HELP OF OTHERS)

Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)

The range of tasks that a learner can perform with guidance but not independently, emphasizing the importance of social interaction and support in the learning process.

Crystallized Intelligence

Involves accumulated knowledge, vocabulary, and expertise (from experience in old people).

Fluid Intelligence

Encompasses the ability to reason abstractly, solve new problems, and think quickly (in young people and declines as we age).

Sensorimotor (0-2 years)

The stage in Piaget's theory of cognitive development where infants learn about the world through their senses and actions, developing object permanence and basic motor skills.

Preoperational (3-7 years)

The stage in Piaget's theory of cognitive development characterized by the development of language and symbolic thinking, where children begin to engage in pretend play and struggle with the concept of conservation. Children show egocentrism and may not yet understand the viewpoints of others, animism, and conservation.

Concrete Operational (7-11 years)

The stage in Piaget's theory of cognitive development where children begin to think logically about concrete events. They develop understanding of concepts such as time, space, and quantity as well as the ability to perform operations and understand conservation.

Formal Operational (12 years and up)

The stage in Piaget's theory of cognitive development where individuals develop the ability to think abstractly, logically, and systematically. They can solve hypothetical problems and reason through complex concepts, enabling advanced reasoning and problem-solving skills. During this stage, individuals also begin to formulate and test hypotheses, developing critical thinking abilities.

Mary Ainsworth’s “strange situation”

A procedure used to assess attachment styles in children by observing their reactions during a series of separations and reunions with their caregiver.

Social Clock

The culturally preferred timing of social events such as marriage, parenthood, and retirement, which influences individual development and behavior.

Generalization

the tendency for a response to occur with similar stimuli

Discrimination

ability to distinguish between the conditioned stimulus

Second-Order Conditioning (Higher Order)

pairing a neutral stimulus with the conditioned stimulus

Extinction

the conditioned stimulus not longer elicits the conditioned response

Reconditioning

a quick relearning of a previously extinct condition

Spontaneous Recovery

the recovery of a previously extinct  response after a passage of time

Ivan Pavlov (dogs)

Ivan Pavlov was researching the digestive systems of dogs.  He noticed that when his assistant clanged the dog bowls the dogs started to drool even without the actual presence of food.  

Albert Bandura

Bobo doll experiment (1961) demonstrated that children exposed to aggressive models were more likely to imitate aggressive behaviors. It also showed that children were more likely to imitate models who were rewarded for their actions than those who were punished.

Primary Reinforcers

Basic biological needs we all share. Ex: water

Secondary Reinforcers

Things we learn to value. Ex: phones

Positive reinforcement

Addition of a pleasant stimulus = increase of behavior in the future.

Negative reinforcement

Removal of an unpleasant stimulus = increase in behavior in the future.

Positive punishment

Addition of unpleasant stimulus = weaken behavior in the future

Negative Punishment

Removal of pleasant stimulus = decrease in behavior in the future

Continuous Reinforcement

Reinforcement that happens each and every time the correct behavior occurs.

Partial Reinforcement

Reinforcement happens on a time-based schedule.

Fixed-Interval Reinforcement

Stimulus will happen at a certain time within a set time limit.

Variable-Interval Reinforcement

Stimulus will occur at any time randomly within a set-time limit.

Fixed-Ratio Reinforcement

Stimulus will happen after a set number of occurrences. Ex: You climb to the top of the mountain to see a beautiful view.

Variable-Ratio Reinforcement

Stimulus will happen randomly during a set number of occurences. Ex: You scream and cry for ice cream and every often you get it from your parents.

Latent Learning

a form of learning that occurs without immediate demonstration or reinforcement, where knowledge or skills are acquired and retained but not shown until a specific need arises.

Thordnike’s Puzzle Box

Show that behavior that is reinforced is likely to be repeated while behavior that is punished is not likely to be repeated.

Unconditioned Stimulus (US/UCS)

An unlearned stimulus that will always and naturally elict a response.

Unconditioned Response (UR/UCR)

Unlearned response as a result of the UCS

Neural Stimulus (NS)

Any stimulus that doesn’t naturally cause a response

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

Learned stimulus that can be perceived

Conditioned Response (CR)

Response as a result of the CS

Contiguity

Temporal (time-based) association between two events that occur closely together.

Emotional Response

Positive or negative response when experiencing a stimulus accompanied by a pleasant or painful event.

Counterconditioning

Therapeutic interventions for many mental disorders.

Habituation

To become used to something

Instinctive drift

People can naturally go back to their old behaviors

Foreclosure

This occurs when an adolescent commits to an identity without exploring alternatives.

Diffusion

This is characterized by a lack of both exploration and commitment.

Moratorium

This stage involves active exploration of different identities, values, and career paths, but without making a firm commitment.

Achievement

This occurs when an adolescent has explored various options and made a committed decision about their identity.

Authoritarian

A very strict style of parenting with high expectations.

Permissive

Very cuddling with low expectations

Authoritative

A parenting style that balances between cuddling and discipline

Neglectful

Low in warmth and discipline

Rooting reflex

automatic turn of head when cheek is touched

Sucking reflex

suck anything that touches lips

Startle reflex

infant flings arms, fans fingers and arches back in response to sudden noise

Babinski reflex

toes fan out when out edge of sole of foot is stroked

Visual Cliff Experiment

Showed babies had depth perception because they showed hesitation or avoidance when reaching for the "drop-off" side.

Social Learning Theory

children learn gender-linked behaviors by observing and imitating as well as through rewards and punishments

Gender Schema Theory

social learning theory + cognition – children learn from their cultures a concept of what it means to be male/female and adjust their behavior accordingly

Assimilation

an attempt to integrate new information into an existing schema

Accommodation

modification of an existing schema into a new one

Solitary Play

Earliest form of playing that involves playing alone.

Parallel Play

Second type of playing that involves playing alongside others without direct interaction.

Associative Play

Sharing toys and interacting but not coordinating activities.

Cooperative Play

Fully engaging with peers in shared activities, such as team games or pretend play

Rough-and-Tumble Play

Physical play that helps with social bonding and understanding limits.