Chapter 11, Development (exam 3)

development

the pattern of physical, cognitive, and social changes that occur throughout the lifespan, from conception to death.

zygote

the single cell formed when a sperm fertilizes an egg; contains all the genetic information needed to form a new individual.

embryo

the developing human organism from about 2 weeks after fertilization through the second month, when major organs begin forming.

fetus

the developing human organism from about 9 weeks after conception until birth, marked by growth and maturation of body systems.

teratogen

any harmful substance or environmental factor (e.g., alcohol, drugs, toxins) that can disrupt prenatal development and cause birth defects.

fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD)

a range of developmental problems caused by a mother’s alcohol use during pregnancy, including physical abnormalities and cognitive impairments.

habituation

a decrease in response to a repeated stimulus, used to study infant learning and memory (e.g., babies look less at something they’ve seen before).

maturation

the biological growth processes that enable orderly changes in behavior, relatively independent of experience.

schema

a mental framework or concept that helps organize and interpret information.

assimilation

the process of incorporating new experiences into existing schemas without changing them.

accommodation

the process of adjusting existing schemas or creating new ones to incorporate new information.

sensorimotor stage

Piaget’s first stage (birth

object permanence

the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen, heard, or touched.

preoperational stage

Piaget’s stage (~2

egocentrism

difficulty seeing the world from another person’s perspective, common in young children.

conservation

the understanding that quantity remains the same despite changes in shape or appearance.

concrete operational stage

Piaget’s stage (~7

formal operational stage

Piaget’s stage (~12+ years) marked by abstract thinking and hypothetical reasoning.

theory of mind

the ability to understand that others have thoughts, beliefs, and perspectives different from one’s own.

attachment

an emotional bond between an infant and caregiver that provides a sense of security.

secure attachment

a healthy attachment style where the infant trusts the caregiver and feels safe exploring the environment.

insecure attachment

attachment patterns (avoidant, anxious, disorganized) characterized by anxiety, avoidance, or confusion in relationships.

imprinting

a rapid form of attachment in some animals occurring during a critical period shortly after birth.

critical period

a specific time window during development when certain experiences must occur for proper development.

sensitive period

a time when an organism is especially responsive to certain experiences, but development is still possible later.

authoritative parenting

a parenting style that is both demanding and responsive, associated with positive child outcomes.

authoritarian parenting

a strict, controlling parenting style with little warmth or flexibility.

permissive parenting

a lenient parenting style with few rules or expectations.

neglectful parenting

a parenting style characterized by low responsiveness and low demands.

puberty

the period of sexual maturation when individuals become capable of reproduction.

primary sex characteristics

reproductive organs and structures that develop during puberty.

secondary sex characteristics

non-reproductive physical traits that develop during puberty (e.g., body hair, voice changes).

menarche

a female’s first menstrual period, marking the onset of reproductive capability.

identity

a person’s sense of self, including values, beliefs, and goals.

identity vs. role confusion

Erikson’s developmental stage during adolescence focused on forming a personal identity.

intimacy vs. isolation

Erikson’s stage in young adulthood focused on forming close relationships.

generativity vs. stagnation

Erikson’s stage in middle adulthood focused on contributing to society and helping the next generation.

integrity vs. despair

Erikson’s stage in late adulthood focused on reflecting on one’s life with satisfaction or regret.

social clock

culturally preferred timing of life events (e.g., marriage, career milestones).

menopause

the natural biological process marking the end of a woman’s reproductive years.

fluid intelligence

the ability to reason quickly and think abstractly, tends to decline with age.

crystallized intelligence

accumulated knowledge and skills gained through experience, tends to increase with age.