Unit 3 Vocab: Development and Learning

Stability and change across lifespan

the concept that some traits persist while others change from infancy through adulthood

Continuous development

development that occurs gradually over time

Discontinuous development

development that occurs in distinct stages

Longitudinal studies

research that follows the same individuals over a long period of time

Cross-sectional studies

research comparing individuals of different ages at the same time

Teratogens

harmful agents that can cross the placenta and negatively affect prenatal development

Fine motor coordination

control of small muscle movements

Gross motor coordination

control of large muscle movements

Physical development and maturation

biological growth and changes in the body and brain

Rooting reflex

an infant’s tendency to turn toward a touch on the cheek

Visual cliff

a laboratory device for testing depth perception in infants

Critical period

a time during which certain experiences must occur for normal development

Sensitive period

a time when experiences have the greatest effect on development

Imprinting

the formation of a strong attachment during a critical period

Adolescent physical development

physical changes associated with puberty and growth spurts

Primary sex characteristics

reproductive organs

Secondary sex characteristics

nonreproductive sexual traits

Menarche

first menstrual period

Spermarche

first ejaculation

Menopause

the end of a woman’s reproductive capability

Physical decline later in life

age-related decreases in physical and sensory functioning

Vygotsky’s view on cognitive development

the theory that cognition develops through social interaction and cultural context

Scaffolding

temporary support provided to help a learner master a task

Sociocultural context of learning

the social and cultural environment that shapes cognitive development

Zone of proximal development

tasks a learner can perform with assistance but not alone

Fluid intelligence

the ability to reason and solve new problems

Crystallized intelligence

accumulated knowledge and skills

Dementia

a progressive decline in cognitive functioning

Piaget’s theory

the theory that children actively construct knowledge through interaction with the environment

Schema

a mental framework for organizing information

Assimilation

interpreting new information using existing schemas

Accommodation

modifying schemas to incorporate new information

Sensorimotor stage

birth to age two when infants learn through senses and actions

Object permanence

the awareness that objects continue to exist when out of sight

Preoperational stage

ages two to seven when children think symbolically but not logically

Mental symbols

internal representations such as words or images

Pretend play

using imagination to represent reality

Conservation

the understanding that quantity remains the same despite changes in appearance

Reversibility

the ability to mentally reverse actions

Egocentrism

the inability to take another person’s perspective

Animism

the belief that inanimate objects have life-like qualities

Theory of mind

the ability to understand that others have thoughts and feelings

Concrete operational stage

ages seven to eleven when children think logically about concrete objects

Formal operational stage

age twelve and up when abstract and hypothetical thinking develops

Phonemes

the smallest units of sound in a language

Morphemes

the smallest units of meaning in a language

Semantics

the meaning of words and sentences

Grammar

the rules of a language

Syntax

the rules for arranging words into sentences

Cooing

vowel-like sounds made by infants

Babbling

repetitive consonant vowel sounds

One-word speech

single words used to convey meaning

Telegraphic speech

two-word phrases that resemble sentences

Overgeneralization

the application of grammar rules to words that do not follow them

Nature and nurture

the relative influence of genetic inheritance and environmental experience on development

Ecological systems theory

the theory that development is influenced by multiple environmental systems

Microsystem

the individual’s immediate environment

Mesosystem

the interactions between microsystems

Exosystem

indirect environmental influences

Macrosystem

cultural values and beliefs

Chronosystem

changes in the environment over time

Authoritarian

a parenting style with high control and low warmth

Authoritative

a parenting style with high control and high warmth

Permissive

a parenting style with low control and high warmth

Secure attachment

a pattern of attachment characterized by trust and comfort

Avoidant attachment

a pattern characterized by discomfort with closeness

Anxious attachment

a pattern characterized by fear of abandonment

Disorganized attachment

a pattern characterized by inconsistent and fearful behavior

Temperament

a person’s biologically based emotional reactivity

Separation anxiety

distress when separated from a caregiver

Contact comfort

attachment based on physical closeness rather than nourishment

Parallel play

playing alongside others without interaction

Pretend play

imaginative role playing

Adolescent thinking

increased abstract and moral reasoning during adolescence

Adolescent egocentrism

the belief that others are focused on oneself

Imaginary audience

the belief that others are constantly watching

Personal fable

the belief that one is unique and invulnerable

Social clock

culturally preferred timing of life events

Emerging adulthood

the period from the late teens to mid twenties characterized by identity exploration

Trust and mistrust

the stage in which infants learn whether the world is safe

Autonomy and shame and doubt

the stage in which toddlers develop independence

Initiative and guilt

the stage in which children assert power and control

Industry and inferiority

the stage in which children develop competence

Identity and role confusion

the stage in which adolescents form a sense of self

Intimacy and isolation

the stage in which young adults form close relationships

Generativity and stagnation

the stage in which adults contribute to society

Integrity and despair

the stage in which older adults reflect on their lives

Adverse childhood experiences

traumatic events that occur during childhood

Achievement

an identity status characterized by commitment after exploration

Diffusion

an identity status with no commitment or exploration

Foreclosure

an identity status with commitment but no exploration

Moratorium

an identity status with active exploration

Racial or ethnic identity

a sense of belonging to a racial or ethnic group

Religious identity

beliefs and values about faith

Occupational identity

career goals and work values

Familial identity

one’s role and relationships within the famil