Developmental Psychology Notes

Zygote

The initial stage of prenatal development, starting as a fertilized cell that eventually becomes an embryo.

Teratogens

Substances that can cross the placental barrier and cause harm to the developing fetus.

Infancy

The developmental stage from newborn to toddler.

Motor Development Sequence

The typical progression of movement skills infants achieve, including rolling over, sitting, crawling, and walking.

Schema

A mental framework used to organize and interpret information.

Assimilation

The process of interpreting new experiences in the context of existing schemas.

Accommodation

The adaptation of current schemas to include new and different information.

Object Permanence

The understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen; develops during the sensorimotor stage.

Egocentrism

A characteristic of preschool children where they cannot perceive situations from another's viewpoint.

Critical Periods

Specific time frames during which certain developmental processes must occur, such as attachment or imprinting.

Secure Attachment

A bond characterized by children exploring their environment while a caregiver is present and showing distress during separation.

Insecure Attachment

A bond where children show anxiety when separated from caregivers and are less explorative.

Authoritarian Parenting

A style where parents impose strict rules and expect obedience.

Permissive Parenting

A style where parents are lenient and allow children significant freedom.

Moral Development

The evolution of an individual's understanding of right and wrong, progressing through stages as they age.

Puberty

The stage of development where individuals become capable of reproduction, occurring around ages 11 for females and 13 for males.

Crystallized Intelligence

The accumulated knowledge and verbal skills that remain stable or grow with age.

Fluid Intelligence

The ability to reason quickly and abstractly, which tends to decline with age.

Dementia

A decline in cognitive function, often associated with aging, that can affect memory and overall mental capacity.

Stages of Grief

The emotional responses individuals go through when dealing with loss, including denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

Nature

The genetic inheritance that influences behavior.

Nurture

The environmental experience that influences behavior.

Continuity

The idea that development is a gradual, continuous process.

Stages

The idea that development occurs in a series of distinct stages.

Stability

The inquiry into whether early personality traits persist throughout life.

Change

The inquiry into whether early personality traits can change throughout life.