unit 3 developmental psychology (copy)

Developmental Psychology

The study of how people grow, change, and develop throughout their lives, including physical, cognitive, social, and emotional changes.

Chronological Development

The specific order and timing of changes that occur as people age, including milestones like puberty.

Thematic Development

Examines big patterns over the lifespan, including stability and change, and the interplay between nature and nurture.

Cross-Sectional Study

A method that observes or tests different groups of people of varying ages at a single point in time.

Advantages of Cross-Sectional Studies

Quick and cost-effective; allows identification of patterns and trends across lifespan.

Disadvantages of Cross-Sectional Studies

May suffer from cohort effects due to generational or cultural differences; do not track individual changes over time.

Longitudinal Study

A research method that observes or tests the same group of people over an extended period of time.

Advantages of Longitudinal Studies

Provides detailed information about how individuals change over time; less impacted by cohort effects.

Disadvantages of Longitudinal Studies

Time-consuming and expensive; risk of attrition leading to biased results; potential influence of historical effects.

Nature vs Nurture

A debate regarding whether genetics (nature) or environment (nurture) has a greater impact on development.

Stability and Change

Explores whether individuals' traits and behaviors remain consistent or change over time.

Continuity vs Stages

Discusses whether development is a gradual, continuous process or occurs through distinct stages.

Teratogens

Substances that can cause birth defects in an embryo or fetus, such as drugs, alcohol, and environmental toxins.

Imprinting

A rapid learning process occurring during a critical period in some animals, ensuring attachment to caregivers.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Traumatic events occurring in a child's life that can profoundly affect their development and well-being.

Piaget’s Stages of Cognitive Development

Four stages (sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, formal operational) identifying how children's thinking evolves.

Schemas

Categories of knowledge used to interpret and understand the world, modified through assimilation and accommodation.

Object Permanence

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

Egocentrism

A preoperational child's difficulty in seeing the perspective of others, also an aspect of lacking theory of mind.

Fluid Intelligence

The ability for abstract reasoning and problem-solving, which peaks in early adulthood and declines with age.

Crystallized Intelligence

Accumulated knowledge and vocabulary that remains stable throughout adulthood.