CH 4 NOTES- Intro to Dev. Psych

Growth charts

charts that show average values of height, weight, and other measures of growth, based on large samples of normally developing infants; the charts are used to evaluate an infant’s development

Fontanels

“soft spots,” or spaces, that separate the bones of the skull prenatally and in early infancy

Neuron

nerve cell

Axon

the main protruding branch of a neuron; it carries messages to other cells in the form of electrical impulses

Dendrites

the protruding parts of a neuron that receive messages from the axons of other cells 

Synapse

 the tiny gap between the axon of one neuron and the dendrite of another

Neurotransmitter

 a chemical secreted by a neuron sending a message that carries the impulse across the synaptic gap to the receiving cell

Synaptogenesis

the process of synapse formation

Myelin

an insulating material that forms a sheath around certain axons and speeds the transmission of nerve impulses from one neuron to the next

Spinal cord

the part of the central nervous system that extends from below the waist to the base of the brain

Brain stem

the base of the brain, which controls such elementary reactions as blinking and sucking, as well as such vital functions as breathing and sleeping

Cerebral cortex

the brain’s outermost layer. The networks of neurons in the ___________ integrate information from several sensory sources with memories of past experiences, processing them in a way that results in human forms of thought and action 

neurogenesis

proliferation of neurons through cell division

synaptogenesis

forming connections with other neurons

Experience-expectant

processes of brain development that seem to anticipate experiences that are universal in all normally developing members of our species

Experience-dependent

development of neural connections that is initiated in response to experience

Exuberant synaptogenesis

a rapid growth in synaptic density that prepares the brain for a vast range of possible experiences

Synaptic pruning

the process of selective dying-off of nonfunctional synapses

Perceptual narrowing

a process in which infants lose their apparently innate abilities to detect certain sensory features because those features do not occur very often in their environments

Electroencephalography (EEG)

a common physiological method used to evaluate infant sensory capacities, which involves attaching sensors to the baby’s head and measuring changes in brain waves in response to the presentation of different stimuli

Visual preference technique

 common behavioral method used to evaluate infant sensory capacities, which involves presenting two different stimuli at once to determine if the baby displays a preference by looking at one longer than the other

Habituation

the process in which attention to novelty decreases with repeated exposure

Dishabituation

the term used to describe the process in which an infant’s interest is renewed after a change in the stimulus

Phonemes

the smallest sound categories in human speech that distinguish meanings

Visual acuity

sharpness of vision

Multimodal perception

the ability to perceive an object or event by more than one sensory system simultaneously

Reflex

a specific, well-integrated, automatic (involuntary) response to a specific type of stimulation

Babinski reflex

when the bottom of the baby’s foot is stroked, the toes fan out and then curl

Crawling reflex

when the baby is placed on the stomach and pressure is applied to the soles of the feet, the arms and legs move rhythmically

Eyeblink reflex

rapid closing of eyes

Grasping reflex

when a finger or some other object is pressed against the baby’s palm, the baby’s fingers close around it

Moro reflex

if a baby experiences a sudden dropping sensation while being held or hears a loud noise, the baby will throw the arms outward while arching backward and then bring the arms together as if grasping something

Rooting reflex

when touched on the cheek, the baby turns head in the direction of the touch and opens mouth

Stepping reflex

when held upright over a flat surface, the baby makes rhythmic leg movements

Sucking reflex

the baby sucks when something is put into his or her mouth

Primary circular reaction

the infant’s tendency to repeat pleasurable bodily actions for their own sake

Learning

a relatively permanent change in behavior brought about by making associations between behavior and events in the environment

Classical conditioning

learning in which previously existing behaviors come to be elicited by new stimuli (Pavlov)

Unconditional stimulus

the stimulus, such as food in the mouth, that invariably causes the unconditional response

Unconditional response

the response, such as salivation, that is invariably elicited by the unconditional stimulus

Conditional stimulus

a stimulus that elicits a behavior that is dependent on the way it is paired with the unconditioned stimulus

Conditional response

a response to the pairing of the conditioned stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus

Operant conditioning

learning in which changes in behavior are shaped by the consequences of that behavior, thereby giving rise to new and more complete behaviors (Skinner)

Nonrapid eye movement (NREM) sleep

quiet rest; little motor activity; eyes closed and still; steadily breathing

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep

increased motor activity; facial movements and smiles; some eye movements; irregular breathing

periodic sleep

between REM and NREM sleep—periods of deep and steady breathing alternate with periods of more rapid and shallow breathing

Drowsiness

intermediate between NREM and REM sleep—eyes open and close, appearing glazed when open; breathing faster and more variable than in NREM sleep

Alert inactivity

some motor activity; relaxed face; eyes open and bright; steady but more rapid breathing compared to NREM sleep

Active alert

frequent disorganized motor activity; vocalizations and irregular breathing; skin flushed