Unit 7 Vocab- Human Growth and Development

accommodation

the process of changing your existing mental ideas (schemas) to fit new information or experiences that don't match what you already know

adolescence

the transitional stage of physical and psychological development that generally occurs during the teenage years, marked by puberty, identity exploration, and increased autonomy.

Adulthood

The stage of life after adolescence, characterized by full development and maturity, typically defined by milestones such as career establishment and family formation.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood, such as abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction.

Animism

The belief that inanimate objects have lifelike qualities and are capable of action, common in young children.

assimilation

the mental process of fitting new information into your existing understanding (schemas) without changing your core beliefs

attachment

the emotional bond that forms between an infant and their primary caregiver, typically characterized by proximity seeking, distress upon separation, and a sense of security.

Authoritarian Parenting

A strict parenting style characterized by high demands and low responsiveness;
parents expect obedience and use punishment.

Authoritative Parenting

A parenting style characterized by high demands and high responsiveness; parents set clear standards and are supportive.

babbling stage

a developmental milestone in infancy when infants produce repetitive, nonsensical sounds as they experiment with vocalizations

basic trust

according to Erik Erikson's psychosocial theory, the sense of security and confidence in the world that develops during infancy through consistent and nurturing caregiving

Carol Gilligan

a psychologist known for her work on gender and moral development. She criticized Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development for its focus on justice and argued for a more relational approach to ethics

Chronosystem

The pattern of environmental events and transitions over the life course, as well as socio-historical circumstances.

concrete operational stage

In Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, the third stage, occurring from about 7 to 11 years old, characterized by the ability to think logically about concrete events and grasp concrete analogies.

conservation

the understanding that certain properties of objects, such as quantity, volume, or number, remain constant despite changes in their physical appearance.

critical period

a developmental stage during which an organism is particularly sensitive to
environmental influences and experiences, which are necessary for the normal
development of certain abilities or behaviors

cross-sectional study

a research method that compares individuals of different ages or developmental
stages at a single point in time to examine age-related differences

Crystallized Intelligence

The ability to use learned knowledge and experience.

Dementia

A group of symptoms affecting memory, thinking, and social abilities severely enough to interfere with daily functioning.

developmental psychology

the branch of psychology that studies the physical, cognitive, and social changes that occur throughout the lifespan, from infancy to old age

Diana Baumrind

a psychologist known for her research on parenting styles. She identified three main parenting styles -authoritarian, authoritative, and permissive.

ecological systems theory

proposed by Urie Bronfenbrenner, this theory emphasizes the influence of various environmental systems (such as family, school, community) on individual development

egocentrism

the inability to take another person's perspective or understand that others may have different thoughts, feelings, or beliefs.

emerging adulthood

a developmental stage proposed by Jeffrey Arnett, characterized by identity
exploration, instability, self-focus, and possibilities, typically occurring in the late
teens and early twenties.

Erik Erikson

a psychologist known for his theory of psychosocial development, which describes eight stages of development spanning from infancy to old age, each characterized by a unique psychosocial crisis or challenge.

estrogen

a hormone primarily associated with the development of female secondary sexual characteristics and the regulation of the menstrual cycle.

Exosystem

The larger social system in which the individual does not function directly but which affects the person's microsystem, such as a parent's workplace.

fetal alcohol syndrome

a group of physical and mental birth defects that occur in children whose mothers consumed alcohol during pregnancy.

Fluid Intelligence

The capacity to think logically and solve problems in novel situations, independent of acquired knowledge.

formal operational stage

In Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, the fourth stage, occurring from about age 12 through adulthood, characterized by the ability to think abstractly, reason logically, and engage in hypothetical thinking.

habituation

a decrease in response to a stimulus after repeated or prolonged exposure, reflecting a form of learning in which the stimulus becomes less novel or salient over time.

Harry Harlow

a psychologist known for his research on attachment and social isolation in rhesus monkeys, particularly his experiments with surrogate mothers made of wire or cloth.

identity

the distinct characteristics, beliefs, values, and experiences that define an individual's sense of self and contribute to their understanding of who they are.

Identity Achievement

The status of individuals who have explored various identities and made a commitment to one.

Identity Diffusion

The status of individuals who have neither explored nor made a commitment to any identity.

Identity Foreclosure

The status of individuals who have made a commitment to an identity without having explored options.

Identity Moratorium

The status of individuals who are currently exploring various identities but have not yet made a commitment.

Imaginary Audience

The belief, often held by adolescents, that they are the focus of everyone else's
attention and concern.

imprinting

a form of rapid and irreversible learning that occurs during a critical period, typically in young animals, in which they form strong attachments to a specific individual or object.

insecure attachment

a pattern of attachment behavior characterized by anxiety, avoidance, or ambivalence in the relationship between an infant and their caregiver.

intimacy

a close, interpersonal connection characterized by emotional closeness, trust, and vulnerability.

Jean Piaget

a Swiss psychologist known for his theory of cognitive development, which describes how children actively construct their understanding of the world through a series of developmental stages.

Lev Vygotsky

a Soviet psychologist known for his sociocultural theory of cognitive development, which emphasizes the role of social interaction and cultural context in shaping cognitive growth.

longitudinal study

a research method that follows the same group of individuals over an extended period of time to examine developmental changes and continuity across the lifespan.

Margaret Harlow 

a psychologist known for her research on attachment and maternal deprivation, conducted in collaboration with her husband, Harry.

Mary Ainsworth

a psychologist known for her research on attachment theory and the development of the "Strange Situation" procedure to assess attachment styles in infants.

maturation

the biologically programmed process of growth and development that unfolds over time, leading to changes in physical, cognitive, and social functioning.

menarche

the first occurrence of menstruation in females, typically occurring during puberty.

menopause

the natural cessation of menstruation and reproductive function in females, typically occurring around middle age.

Mesosystem

The interconnections between the microsystems, such as the relationship between family experiences and school experiences.

Microsystem

The immediate environment in which a person interacts, such as family, school, and peers.

Object Permanence

The understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen, heard, or touched, typically developed during the sensorimotor stage of Piaget's theory.

Permissive Parenting

A lenient parenting style characterized by low demands and high responsiveness; parents are indulgent and may avoid confrontation.

Personal Fable

The belief held by many adolescents that they are unique and invincible.

Rooting Reflex

A newborn's built-in reaction that occurs when the infant's cheek is stroked, resulting in the baby turning its head toward the touch, looking for something to suck.

secondary sex characteristics

physical features that develop during puberty but are not directly involved in
reproduction, such as body hair, breast development, and voice changes.

secure attachment

a healthy and positive emotional bond between an infant and their primary caregiver, characterized by trust, comfort, and a sense of security.

self-concept

an individual's perception and evaluation of themselves, including beliefs, attitudes, and self-awareness.

sensorimotor stage

the first stage of cognitive development in Jean Piaget's theory, occurring from birth to about 2 years old, characterized by the infant's exploration of the world through sensory experiences and motor actions.

Separation Anxiety Distress

shown by infants when a primary caregiver leaves, reflecting attachment
bonds.

social clock

the culturally prescribed timeline for major life events such as marriage, parenthood, and retirement, which influences individuals' expectations and judgments about the timing of these events.

social identity

the part of an individual's self-concept that is based on their identification with a
particular social group, such as ethnicity, nationality, religion, or occupation.

social script

a set of expected behaviors, actions, and responses that guide interactions in specific social situations, such as greetings, conversations, or dating rituals.

spermarche

the onset of sperm production and ejaculation in males during puberty.

strange situation

a laboratory procedure developed by Mary Ainsworth to assess the quality of
attachment between an infant and their caregiver, based on the infant's reactions to separations and reunions with the caregiver in a novel environment.

stranger anxiety

the fear or wariness that infants typically display when encountering unfamiliar people, usually beginning around 6 to 8 months of age.

teratogens

substances or environmental factors that can cause birth defects or developmental abnormalities in the embryo or fetus, such as drugs, alcohol, or certain medications.

theory of mind

the ability to understand and attribute mental states, such as beliefs, desires, and intentions, to oneself and others, which is crucial for social cognition and perspective

Visual Cliff

An experiment designed to assess an infant's depth perception by using a glass- covered platform that appears to drop off sharply.

Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)

Vygotsky's concept of the difference between what a learner can do without help and what they can do with help.