Psych 101 - Chapter 4 Development

What are the 3 stages of prenatal development

Zygote, embryo, and fetus

What evidence indicates that genetics influences temperament and personality?

Twin/adoption studies, temperament stability

How do epigenetic influence gene expression?

Environment can stick gene “on” or “off”

How is brain development influenced by experience?

Neural pruning and plasticity (adaptation)

What are teratogens?

Environmental agents that negatively impact human development during particular period of pregnancy

ex. drugs, alcohol, viruses, radiation

How do they affect the developing child?

They can cause birth defects like fetal alcohol syndrome

What is the difference between longitudinal vs. cross-sectional research?

Longitudional: Same individuals over time

Cross-sectional: Different ages studies at once

What is a weakness/limitation of cross-sectional research?

You cant control for participants individual difference (genetics, experiences)

What is the genetic difference between fraternal and identical twins?

Identical - 1 zygote split (100% genes)

Fraternal - 2 eggs fertilized (50% genes)

Why are twins good for studies?

They help researches figure out how much human behavior is influences by genes (nature) vs. environment (nurture)

What do studies of adopted vs. biological relatives tell us about development?

This gives us insight specifically on how our environment and expiriments  effect behavior and cognition (nurture)

Piaget - Assimilation

New information is fit into existing schema

Piaget - Accommodation

New information adjusts to existing schema or creates new structures entirely

Piaget - Equilibration

A balance between assimilation and accommodation

Stages of development - Piaget

Sensorimotor, pre operational, concerte operational, formal operational

Sensorimotor (0-2)

Object permanence - understanding that an object or person continues to exist even when it can no longer be seen, heard, or touched

Preoperational (2-7)

Egocentrism, symbolic play

Concerete operational (7-12)

Logical thinking, conservation

Formal operation (12+)

Abstract reasoning

Kolhbergs stages of moral development

pre-convention, conventional, post conventional

Pre-conventional

reward/punishments

Conventional

Social rules and conformity

Post conventional

Abstract ethics, a developed moral compass

What is infant attachment?

Emotional bond between infant and caregiver

How does attachment relate to the critical period?

There are vital periods during development that cannot be used or they cant be treated/remedied as an adult

Infant - Secure

Child uses parent as a secure base

Infant - Avoidant

Child ignores parent, doesn’t care when they leave

Infant - Resistant

Child is clingy, but resists affection

Infant - disorganized

Child is not consistent (causes cases of abuse/neglects)

Adult attachment styles

Secure, avoidant, anxious

Relationship between infant and adult attachment

Your attachment style as an infant with your caregiver is directly relayed to your attachment styles as an adults in all relationships

What is the strange situation test?

Observes infant reactions to caregiver leaving/returning

Outcomes of strange situation test?

Secure = comforted

Insecure = avoidant/clingy/distressed

Stranger anxiety

Fear of unfamiliar people (about 8 months)

Separation anxiety

Distress when caregiver leaves

Complication from the depreciation of attachment?

Can cause social, emotional, and cognitive deficits.

Is attachment unique to only humans?

No, also in animals, usually seen as imprinting