lifespan chapters 1-5 scientist and theories

Preformationism

The theory that children are miniature adults with predetermined development.

Tabula Rasa

John Locke's theory that children are born with no innate knowledge and are shaped by their experiences.

Natural Development

Jean-Jacques Rousseau's theory that development follows an innate biological timetable.

Maturation Theory

Arnold Gesell's theory that development is largely controlled by genetics and biological maturation.

Psychodynamic Theory

Sigmund Freud's theory that personality develops through unconscious conflicts during early childhood.

Lifespan Perspective

Paul Baltes' theory emphasizing that development continues throughout life and is influenced by multiple factors.

Psychosocial Development

Erik Erikson's theory that emphasizes the impact of social relationships through a series of crises across the lifespan.

Behaviorism

B.F. Skinner's theory that behavior is learned through interaction with the environment.

Social Learning Theory

Albert Bandura's theory that children learn by observing and imitating others.

Cognitive Development

Jean Piaget's theory that children actively construct knowledge through interaction with their environment.

Sociocultural Theory

Lev Vygotsky's theory that emphasizes the role of social interaction and culture in learning.

Genetics

The study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics.

Nature vs. Nurture

The debate regarding the relative importance of genetics (nature) and environment (nurture) in human development.

Epigenetics

The study of how environmental factors can influence gene expression without altering the DNA sequence.

Germinal Period

The first prenatal stage from conception to 2 weeks, marked by fertilization and implantation.

Embryonic Period

The prenatal stage from 3 to 8 weeks where organ systems develop and the fetus is most vulnerable.

Fetal Period

The prenatal stage from 9 weeks to birth characterized by rapid growth and maturation of organs.

Age of Viability

The earliest point at which a fetus can survive outside the uterus with medical care.

Teratogens

Environmental agents that cause harm during prenatal development.

Apgar Score

A quick assessment of a newborn's condition based on appearance, pulse, grimace response, activity, and respiration.

Attachment Theory

John Bowlby's theory positing that infants are biologically programmed to form strong bonds with caregivers.

Secure Attachment

A style of attachment where the caregiver is responsive and the child feels comfortable exploring the environment.

Insecure-Avoidant Attachment

A style of attachment characterized by a child avoiding or ignoring the caregiver.

Insecure-Resistant Attachment

A style of attachment where the child is very distressed by separation and has difficulty being comforted.

Disorganized Attachment

A style of attachment characterized by confusion and contradictory behaviors in the child.

Temperament

The biologically based differences in personality and emotional reactions observed in infants.

Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)

Vygotsky's concept of the difference between what a child can do independently and what they can do with guidance.

Scaffolding

Support provided to a learner that is gradually removed as they develop independence.

Cognitive Development Theory

Piaget's theory that focuses on how children think and learn throughout various stages.

Symbolic Thought

The use of symbols to represent objects and events, characteristic of Piaget's preoperational stage.

Egocentrism

The inability to take another person's point of view, common in young children's thinking.

Conservation

The understanding that quantity remains consistent despite changes in shape or appearance.

Irreversibility

The difficulty young children have in understanding that an action can be reversed.

Authoritative Parenting

A parenting style characterized by high responsiveness and high demands, leading to positive child outcomes.

Authoritarian Parenting

A parenting style characterized by low responsiveness and high demands, often resulting in anxious children.

Permissive Parenting

A parenting style characterized by high responsiveness and low demands, often leading to impulsive children.

Uninvolved Parenting

A parenting style characterized by low responsiveness and low demands, associated with negative developmental outcomes.

Montessori Method

An educational approach that emphasizes self-directed learning through hands-on activities.

Nativist Theory of Language

Noam Chomsky's theory suggesting that children are born with an innate ability to learn language.

Strange Situation

A procedure developed by Mary Ainsworth to assess attachment styles through observations of child-caregiver interactions.

Bobo Doll Experiment

A study by Albert Bandura that demonstrated observational learning in children.

Concrete Operational Stage

Piaget's stage from ages 7 to 11 where children gain logical reasoning skills regarding concrete objects.

Intelligence Testing

The measurement of a person's cognitive abilities in relation to others, pioneered by Alfred Binet.

Multiple Intelligences Theory

Howard Gardner's theory that suggests there are multiple forms of intelligence beyond traditional IQ.

Triarchic Theory of Intelligence

Robert Sternberg's theory proposing three types of intelligence: analytical, creative, and practical.

Learning Disabilities

Disorders that affect the ability to learn in a typical manner, such as dyslexia and ADHD.

Peer Relationships

Connections with equal-age individuals that influence social and emotional development.

Bullying

Aggressive behavior that involves unwanted, negative actions that are repeated over time.

Family Relationships

The dynamics within a family that influence a child's emotional and social development.

Cognitive Reevaluation

The process through which individuals reassess their thoughts and beliefs in light of new experiences.

Emotional Regulation

The ability to manage and respond to emotional experiences in a socially acceptable way.

Social Competence

The ability to interact positively and effectively with others.

Developmental Milestones

Key skills and abilities that most children can accomplish by a certain age.

Biological Maturation

The process of physical growth and development influenced by genetic factors.

Environmental Influences

External factors that can impact a child's growth and development.

Sensory Development

The progression of a child's ability to process and respond to sensory stimuli.

Cognitive Rehearsal

A technique used to prepare for challenging situations by mentally practicing them.

Play as Learning

The idea that play is an important tool for children to acquire skills and learn concepts.

Instructional Approaches

Methods and strategies used by educators to facilitate learning.

School Readiness

The level of preparedness a child needs to succeed in school settings.

Lifespan Development

The scientific study of human growth, change, and stability from conception until death.

Plasticity

The ability of individuals to change and adapt throughout life due to experience and environmental influences.

Cohort

A group of people born during the same historical period who experience similar cultural and historical events.

Socioeconomic Status (SES)

A person's or family's social position based on income, education, and occupation.

Nature vs. Nurture

The debate over whether development is primarily influenced by genetics (nature) or environmental experiences (nurture). Most psychologists agree both interact.

Continuity

The view that development occurs gradually through small, continuous changes over time.

Discontinuity

The view that development occurs through distinct stages with qualitative changes.

Tabula Rasa

John Locke's concept that children are born as a "blank slate," and experience shapes development.

Maturation

The natural biological process of growth directed largely by genetics.

Reinforcement

A consequence that increases the likelihood a behavior will occur again.

Modeling

Learning by observing and imitating the behavior of others.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

The molecule that contains the genetic instructions for growth, development, and functioning.

Gene

The basic unit of heredity made of DNA that influences specific traits.

Chromosome

A threadlike structure containing DNA and genes. Humans normally have 46 chromosomes arranged in 23 pairs.

Genome

The complete set of an individual's genetic material.

Genotype

A person's unique genetic makeup.

Phenotype

The observable physical and behavioral characteristics produced by the interaction of genes and the environment.

Behavioral Genetics

The study of how heredity and environment influence behavior and development.

Germinal Stage

The first stage of prenatal development (conception to about two weeks), during which fertilization, rapid cell division, and implantation occur.

Embryonic Stage

The second stage of prenatal development (weeks 3–8), when major organs and body systems begin forming.

Fetal Stage

The final stage of prenatal development (week 9 until birth), characterized by rapid growth and maturation of body systems.

Teratogen

Any environmental substance or condition that can interfere with normal prenatal development and cause birth defects.

Placenta

A temporary organ that supplies oxygen and nutrients to the fetus while removing waste products.

Ultrasound

A prenatal imaging technique that uses sound waves to create pictures of the developing fetus.

Amniocentesis

A prenatal diagnostic test in which amniotic fluid is removed to detect genetic or chromosomal abnormalities.

Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)

A prenatal test that collects placental tissue to identify genetic disorders early in pregnancy.

APGAR Score

A quick assessment of a newborn's health performed shortly after birth that measures Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration.

Cephalocaudal Principle

The pattern of physical development that proceeds from the head downward to the feet.

Proximodistal Principle

The pattern of physical development that proceeds from the center of the body outward toward the extremities.

Gross Motor Skills

Large muscle movements such as sitting, crawling, standing, walking, and running.

Fine Motor Skills

Small muscle movements involving the hands and fingers, such as grasping objects, feeding oneself, and writing.

Sensorimotor Stage

Piaget's first stage of cognitive development (birth to about age 2), during which infants learn through sensory experiences and motor actions.

Object Permanence

The understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen.

Implicit Memory

Unconscious memory for skills, habits, and conditioned responses.

Explicit Memory

Conscious memory involving the recall of facts, events, and experiences.

Trust vs. Mistrust

Erikson's first psychosocial stage, in which infants develop trust when caregivers consistently meet their needs.

Attachment

The strong emotional bond that develops between an infant and caregiver, providing security and support.

Secure Attachment

An attachment style in which infants use caregivers as a secure base, become distressed when separated, and are comforted when reunited.

Insecure-Avoidant Attachment

An attachment style in which infants show little distress during separation and avoid or ignore the caregiver upon reunion.

Insecure-Resistant (Ambivalent) Attachment

An attachment style in which infants become very distressed during separation but remain difficult to comfort when the caregiver returns.