Unit 9- Human Development

key words and phrases from chapter 9 of the textbook what is psychology? by Pastorino and doyle-portillo

development

changes in behavior or abilities or both

nature-nurture issue

the degree to which biology (nature) or the environment (nurture) contributes to a persons development

zygote

a fertilized egg

germinal stage

the first stage of prenatal development, from conception to 14 days

embryonic stage

the second stage of prenatal development, lasting from the 3rd through the 8th week

fetal stage

the third stage of prenatal development, from the 9th week through the 9th month

down syndrome

a genetic birth disorder resulting from an extra 21st chromosome, characterized by distinct facial features and a greater likelihood of heart defects and intellectual disability

teratogen

an environmental substance that has the potential to harm the developing organism

sensitive period

in prenatal development, a time when generic and environmental agents are most likely to cause birth defects

fetal alcohol syndrome (fas)

a birth condition resulting from the mothers chronic use of alcohol during pregnancy, characterized by facial and limb deformities and intellectual disability

neonate

a newborn during the first 28 days of life

reflex

an automatic response to a specific environmental stimulus

gross motor skulls

motor behaviors involving the large muscles of the body. ex running, walking, jumping, hopping

fine motor skills

motor behaviors involving the small muscles of the body. ex. writing, using utensils, playing a musical instrument

sucking reflex

infants will suck on anything that touches their lips

rooting reflex

when you touch the side of an infants cheek, they till turn in that direction and open their mouth

grasping reflex

infants will grasp anything placed in their palm, the foundation of prehension

crying reflex

infants will cry when distressed (still automatic)

smiling reflex

infants will smile when pleased (still automatic)

social smile

develops in second month of life, when an infant smiles at everybody

assimilation

the process by which an existing schema is used to understand something new in the environment

accommodation

the process by which a schema is changed, modified, or created anew in order to understand something new in the environment

Piagets stages of cognitive development

sensorimotor: birth-2yrs; pre operational: 2-6/7yrs; concrete operation: 6/7-11/12yrs; formal operations: 12yrs-adult

sensorimotor (piagats stages of cognitive development)

reflexes, object permanence

preoperational (piagats stages of cognitive development)

symbolic thinking, illogical thinking, contrition, egocentrism

concrete operations (piagats stages of cognitive development)

conservation, logical thinking, decentration

formal operations (piagats stages of cognitive development)

abstract reasoning

sensorimotor stage

Piagets first stage of cognitive development, in which infants learn schemas through their senses and motor abilities

object permanence

the understanding that an object continues to exist even when it is not present

symbolic thinking

the understanding that objects can be represented with symbols such as bodily gestures or language

pre operational stage

Piagets second stage of cognitive development, characterized by the use of symbols and illogic thought

centration

the act of focusing on only one aspect or feature of an object

conservation

the understanding that an object retains its original properties even though it may look different

egocentrism

the belief that everyone thinks as you do

concrete operations

Piagets third stage of cognitive development, characterized by logical thought

formal operations

Piagets final stage of cognitive development, characterized by the ability to engage in abstract thought

private speech

vygotskys term describing the behavior of young children who talk to themselves to guide their own actions

zone of proximal development (zpd)

according to vygotsky, the gap between what a child is already able to do and what they are not yet capable of doing without help

scaffolding

a process in which adults initially offer guidance and support in helping a child to reason, solve a problem, or master a task as the child becomes more proficient and capable, the adult helps less and less until the child can master the task on their own

moral reasoning

how you decide what is right and what is wrong

temperament

a persons general pattern of attention, arousal, and mood that is evident at birth

attachment

an emotional bond between an infant and someone or something; an infants first attachment with their caretaker is typically established by 8/9 months

separation anxiety

the fear an infant expresses when separated from the primary caretaker

stranger anxiety

the distress an infant expresses when faced with unfamiliar people

authoritarian parent

a parenting style characterized by high levels of control and low levels of affection

authoritative parent

a parenting style characterized by moderate levels of control and affection

permissive parent

a parenting style characterized by low levels of control or discipline

gender roles

society expectations for how males and females should behave

gender permanence

the understanding that ones gender will not change

gender schema theory

the idea that gender roles are acquired through modeling and reinforcement process that work together with a childs mental processes

attachment patterns

secure, avoidant, resistant, disorganized/disoriented

secure attachment

infants who are securely attached use the parent as a supportive base from which to operate and explore. they explore the toys while in the new situation paying attention to any new strangers who may enter the room. they may or may not cry when the parent leaves but this emotional upset quickly subsides once the parent returns

avoidant attachment

infants who show avoidant attachment appear to ignore the parent. they pay the parent little attention. they do not appear to be distressed when the parent leaves, and they show little emotional response when the parent reappears

resistant attachment

infants who display resistant attachment resemble a ‘clinging’ baby. they remain close to the parent and do not actively explore the new situation. they show extreme distress when the parent leaves and appear to be angry when the parent returns. they may hit and push at the parent and are less easily consoled

disorganized/disoriented attachment

infants showing disorganized attachment seem confused or disoriented. they look away from the parent while being comforted and have a blank facial expression after being calmed by them

puberty

the process of sexual maturation

menarche

a girls first menstruation

menopause

the period when a female stops menstruation and is no longer fertile

imaginary audience

the belief held by adolescents that everyone is watching what they do

personal fable

the belief held by adolescents that they are unique and special

dualistic thinking

reasoning that divides situations and issues into right and wrong categories

relativistic thinking

the idea that in many situations there is not necessarily one right or wrong answer

postformal thought

the idea that a correct solution(s) may vary, depending on the circumstances

fluid intelligence

abilities that rely in information processing skills such as reaction time, attention, and working memory

crystallized intelligence

abilities that rely on knowledge, expertise, and judgement

emerging adulthood

the transitional period between late adolescence and the mid 20s when young people have left adolescence but have not yet assumed adult roles and responsibilities

bereavement

the experience of losing a loved one

grief

ones emotional reaction to the death of a loved one