Early Childhood Development

Motor Development

The process by which infants gain control over their bodily movements.

Rollover

An infant's first major motor milestone, usually occurring around 3-5 months.

Neural Development

The development of the nervous system, including the creation of neurons.

Synaptic Pruning

The process of eliminating excess synapses in the brain during early childhood.

Synapse

The gap between neurons through which signals are transmitted.

Infantile Amnesia

The inability to recall memories from early childhood, typically before age 3-4.

Cognitive Development

The process of growth and change in intellectual capabilities.

Piaget's Theory

A theory proposing that children progress through distinct stages of cognitive development.

Schemas

Mental frameworks that help organize and interpret information.

Assimilation

Integrating new experiences into existing schemas.

Accommodation

Adapting existing schemas to incorporate new information.

Sensorimotor Stage

Piaget's first stage of cognitive development from birth to 2 years.

Object Permanence

Understanding that objects continue to exist even when not visible.

Preoperational Stage

The second stage in Piaget's theory, occurring from ages 2 to 7.

Egocentrism

The inability to perceive a situation from another's point of view.

Concrete Operational Stage

Piaget's stage from ages 7 to 11 where logical reasoning begins.

Conservation

The understanding that quantity does not change despite changes in shape or appearance.

Formal Operational Stage

Piaget's final stage starting at age 12 characterized by abstract thinking.

Vygotsky's Theory

Emphasizes the role of social interaction in cognitive development.

Scaffolding

Providing temporary support to aid learning and development.

Stranger Anxiety

Distress in infants when encountering unfamiliar people, typically around 8 months.

Attachment

An emotional bond with caregivers that influences behavior.

Attachment Styles

Patterns of attachment that affect relationships throughout life.

Secure Attachment

A healthy attachment characterized by mutual trust and support.

Anxious Attachment

An insecure attachment style marked by fear of abandonment.

Avoidant Attachment

An attachment style involving emotional distance and avoidance of intimacy.

Disorganized Attachment

An attachment style characterized by confusion and lack of clear attachment behavior.

Parenting Styles

The manner in which parents raise their children, including responsiveness and demands.

Authoritarian Parenting

A strict parenting style focusing on obedience and discipline.

Authoritative Parenting

A balanced style that encourages independence while enforcing rules.

Permissive Parenting

A lenient style with few boundaries.

Neglectful Parenting

A lack of involvement or attention in a child's life.

Puberty

The period of sexual maturation when reproductive capabilities develop.

Selective Pruning

The reduction of unnecessary neurons and synapses during adolescence.

Cognitive Development in Adolescence

The refinement of moral reasoning and identity development during teenage years.

Delay of Gratification

The ability to resist short-term rewards for long-term benefits.

Erikson's Psychological Stages

Theory proposing that individuals face specific crises throughout their lifespan.

Identity vs. Role Confusion

A crisis in adolescence concerning personal identity.

Intimacy vs. Isolation

The challenge in young adulthood of forming intimate relationships.

Generativity vs. Stagnation

In middle adulthood, the focus on contributing to society and supporting younger generations.

Self-Steem in Late Adulthood

Generally stable, with older adults often finding satisfaction in fewer relationships.

Erikson's Stage of Integrity vs. Despair

The final stage of life where reflection on one's life occurs.

Consciousness

Awareness of oneself and the environment.

Selective Attention

Focusing on a specific stimulus while ignoring others.

Cocktail Party Effect

The ability to focus on one conversation in a noisy environment.

Inattentional Blindness

Failing to notice a visible object when attention is directed elsewhere.

Dual Processing

The concept that information is processed on both conscious and unconscious levels.

Circadian Rhythm

The biological clock regulating sleep and wake cycles.

REM Stage

The phase of sleep characterized by rapid eye movement and vivid dreaming.

Sleep Disorders

Conditions that disrupt normal sleep patterns.

Insomnia

Difficulty in falling or staying asleep.

Narcolepsy

A disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks.

Sleep Apnea

A condition where breathing stops intermittently during sleep.

Cognition

Mental activities connected to thinking, knowing, remembering, and communication.

Metacognition

Awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes.

Problem-Solving Algorithms

Step-by-step procedures for solving problems.

Heuristics

Mental shortcuts that simplify decision making, but may introduce errors.

Cognitive Biases

Systematic patterns of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment.

Confirmation Bias

The tendency to favor information that confirms existing beliefs.

Overconfidence

The bias in which a person's subjective confidence in their judgments is greater than the objective accuracy.

Belief Perseverance

The tendency to maintain a belief despite being presented with contradictory evidence.

withdrawal

is a psychological condition where an individual experiences distress or discomfort when separated from their primary caregiver or familiar environment.