Developmental Psychology Lecture Notes

This set of flashcards covers key terms and concepts related to developmental psychology, including psychological theories, research methods, and definitions of various psychological traits and behaviors.

Developmental Psychology

examines our physical, cognitive, and social development across the life span

Gender Typing

The process of developing the behaviors, thoughts, and emotions considered appropriate for one's gender.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

A developmental disorder characterized by difficulties with social interaction and communication. Males are more likely to be diagnosed 

Neurogenesis

The process of forming new neurons in the brain, often stimulated by physical exercise.

Erikson's Stages of Development

A series of eight developmental stages, each characterized by a psychosocial crisis.

Rooting Reflex

A reflex in infants that causes them to turn their head and open their mouth in response to a touch on the cheek.

Testosterone

A hormone that influences the development of male sex characteristics.

Cross-Sectional Research

A research method that collects data from different groups (comparing people of different ages) at the same time.

Sexual Orientation

The pattern of emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction one feels towards others.

Early Adulthood

Developmental stage characterized by the pursuit of personal and professional goals.

Parenting Styles

The manner in which parents raise their children, typically categorized into authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and uninvolved styles.

Maturation

The process of development that is genetically determined and occurs in a fixed, predictable sequence.

AIDS

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, a disease caused by the HIV virus that weakens the immune system.

HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which can lead to AIDS.

Egocentrism

The inability to differentiate between one's own perspective and that of others, commonly seen in young children.

Fetus

The developing human from roughly 8 weeks after conception until birth.

Chromosomes

Structures in cells that contain genetic material, with humans having 23 pairs.

Zygote

The fertilized egg that results from the union of sperm and egg.

Attachment Styles

The patterns of attachment behavior in relationships, including secure, anxious, avoidant, and disorganized.

Gender Identity

One's personal sense of their gender, which may or may not correspond with their sex assigned at birth.

Fraternal Twins

Twins that develop from two different eggs fertilized by two different sperm cells.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic Acid, the molecule that carries genetic information.

Schemas

Cognitive frameworks that help organize and interpret information.

Object Permanence

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

Piaget’s Stages of Cognitive Development

A theory outlining four stages of cognitive development: sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational.

Teratogen

Any environmental agent that can cause damage during the prenatal period.

Puberty

The stage of development in which individuals become capable of sexual reproduction.

Cognition

All the mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, and remembering.

Attachment

The emotional bond between a child and their caregiver.

Pansexual

Attraction to individuals regardless of their gender.

Asexual

A lack of sexual attraction to others.

Heterosexual

Attraction to individuals of the opposite gender.

Aggression

Behavior intended to harm or intimidate another individual.

Heredity

The passing of traits from parents to offspring.

Nature vs. Nurture

The debate over the relative contributions of genetics (nature) and environment (nurture) to human development.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

A condition resulting from alcohol exposure during pregnancy, leading to developmental issues.

Erickson’s 8 Stages

Infancy

Toddlerhood

PreSchool

Elementary

Adolescence

Young Adulthood

Middle Adulthood

Late Adulthood

Infancy (birth - 1 year)

Trust vs. Mistrust: The first stage of Erik Erikson's psychosocial development theory, where infants learn to trust caregivers for basic needs or develop mistrust if those needs are not met.

Toddlerhood(1 - 3 years)

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt - Toddlers learn to exercise their will and do things for themselves, or they doubt their abilities.

PreSchool (3 - 6 years)

Initiative vs. Guilt - Preschoolers learn to initiate tasks and carry out plans, or they feel guilty about their efforts to be

independent.

Elementary (6 years - puberty)

Competence vs. Inferiority - Children learn the pleasure of applying themselves to tasks or they feel inferior

Adolescence (teen years into 20s)

Identity vs. Role Confusion - Teenagers work at refining a sense of self by testing roles and then integrating them to form a single identity, or they become confused about

who they are.

Young Adulthood (20s to early 40s)

Intimacy vs. Isolation - Young adults storm close relationships and to gain the capacity for intimate love, or

they feel socially isolated.

Middle Adulthood (40s to 60s)

Generativity vs. stagnation - middle aged people discover a sense of contributing to the world, usually through family and work, or they may feel a lack of purpose

Late adulthood (60s and up)

Integrity vs. despair - reflecting on their lives, older adults may feel a sense of satisfaction or failure