Developmental Psychology Overview

A collection of flashcards covering key concepts and theories in developmental psychology.

What is developmental psychology?

The study of continuity and change across the life span.

What are the five major themes in developmental psychology?

1) Nature and nurture interaction, 2) Sociocultural influences, 3) Continuity vs. discontinuity, 4) Interaction of development domains, 5) Risk vs. resilience factors.

What are the three prenatal stages of development?

Germinal stage (conception-2 weeks), Embryonic stage (2nd-8th week), Fetal stage (9th week-birth).

What is a teratogen?

Agents like drugs and viruses that can impair prenatal development.

What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)?

A neurodevelopmental disorder caused by heavy alcohol use during pregnancy, resulting in brain abnormalities and cognitive deficits.

What is the cephalocaudal rule?

The 'top-to-bottom' rule that describes the tendency for motor skills to develop from the head to the feet.

What is the significance of Jean Piaget's stage theory of cognitive development?

It describes how children learn about the physical world, their own minds, and the minds of others through four distinct stages.

What are Piaget's four stages of cognitive development?

1) Sensorimotor (birth-2 years), 2) Preoperational (2-6 years), 3) Concrete operational (6-11 years), 4) Formal operational (11 years and up).

What is object permanence?

The understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are not visible.

What is egocentrism as described by Piaget?

The failure to understand that the world appears differently to different observers, often seen in the preoperational stage.

What is Vygotsky's concept of the zone of proximal development?

The difference between what a child can do independently and what they can do with assistance.

What is attachment theory?

The emotional bond that develops between newborns and their primary caregivers.

What are the types of attachment styles identified by Mary Ainsworth?

Secure, avoidant, ambivalent, and disorganized attachment styles.

What is the Baumrind parenting style model?

A model that describes differing parental control styles: authoritative, permissive, and authoritarian.

What is the main focus of moral development according to Kohlberg?

The progression through three levels: preconventional, conventional, and postconventional based on moral reasoning.

What is a characteristic of secure attachment in children?

Securely attached children show distress when caregivers leave but seek comfort upon their return.

What major influence does nurturing have on attachment styles?

A caregiver's sensitivity and responsiveness significantly shape a child's attachment style.

What is the role of joint attention in cognitive development?

It allows children to learn from others by focusing on what another person is focused on.