Developmental Psychology: History, Theories, and Methods

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture on developmental psychology.

Classical conditioning

A learning process that pairs two stimuli to shape behavior.

Cognitive Developmental Theory

A theory that focuses on how people use schemas to gain and organize knowledge.

Cohort effect

The impact of shared experiences on individuals born around the same time.

Cross-sequential studies

Research that combines longitudinal and cross-sectional methods to study developmental changes.

Ecological Systems Theory

A theory that examines how individuals interact with their environment across multiple systems.

Social Cognitive Theory

A theory suggesting that people learn through observing others and modeling behavior.

Theory of Psychosexual Development

Freud's stage theory which posits that early experiences shape later behavior.

Zone of proximal development

The range of tasks a child can perform with the help of a more skilled partner.

Nature-Nurture Controversy

A debate on whether genetics or environment has a greater influence on development.

Longitudinal studies

Research that studies the same group of people over an extended period.

Operant conditioning

A learning method where behaviors are shaped by rewards or punishments.

Psychosocial Development

Erikson's theory that emphasizes social relationships and developmental tasks throughout life.

Life span development

The field of study that considers development across all stages of life.

Ethnography

A qualitative research method involving extended observation and engagement with a specific group.

Critical Periods

Specific time frames in which certain developmental events must occur for normal development.

Developmental cognitive neuroscience

An interdisciplinary field that combines biology and psychology to study cognitive changes.

Imprinting

A form of rapid learning that occurs during a critical period, typically seen in animals.

Scaffolds

Support mechanisms provided by adults to help children learn new skills.

Case study

An in-depth analysis of an individual or group that may not be generalizable.

Correlation coefficient

A statistical measure that indicates the degree to which two variables are related.