Cognitive Development and Attachment

These flashcards cover key concepts in cognitive development, attachment, and developmental psychology as outlined in the lecture notes.

Assimilation

The process of taking in new information and integrating it into existing schemas.

Accommodation

The modification of existing schemas or the creation of new schemas in response to new information.

Object Permanence

The awareness that objects continue to exist even when they are not perceived, typically developing around 8 months of age.

Conservation

The understanding that quantity or amount remains the same despite changes in shape or appearance, a key accomplishment in the concrete operational stage of development.

Authoritative Parenting

A parenting style that expects children to follow rules but also discusses them and is flexible.

Selective Pruning

The process in the adolescent brain where unused neurons and connections are eliminated to improve efficiency.

Formal Operations

The stage of cognitive development, according to Piaget, that allows for abstract thought and reasoning, typically beginning at age 11.

Emerging Adulthood

A developmental phase from ages 18 to mid-20s characterized by an increase in independence and personal responsibility.

Schema

A mental representation that organizes knowledge and guides cognitive processes.

Cross-Sectional Studies vs. Longitudinal Studies

Cross-sectional studies compare different age groups at one point in time, whereas longitudinal studies follow the same group over time.

Memory Decline in Aging

As people age, memory retrieval can slow down, and the brain may take longer to access known information.

Attachment

A strong emotional bond between an infant and caregiver, which ensures survival and establishes a sense of security.