Developmental Psychology and Consciousness

This set of flashcards covers key terms and concepts from developmental psychology, theories of consciousness, sleep and dreams, as well as sensation and perception.

Sensorimotor Stage

The first stage in Piaget's theory (0-2 years) characterized by object permanence.

Preoperational Stage

The second stage in Piaget's theory (2-7 years) marked by egocentrism and lack of conservation.

Concrete Operational Stage

The third stage in Piaget's theory (7-11 years) featuring logical thinking about concrete events.

Formal Operational Stage

The fourth stage in Piaget's theory (12+ years) known for abstract reasoning.

Assimilation

The process of fitting new information into existing schemas.

Accommodation

The adjustment of schemas to incorporate new information.

Identity vs. Role Confusion

Erikson's key crisis during adolescence.

Preconventional Morality

The first level of Kohlberg's moral development focused on avoiding punishment or seeking rewards.

Conventional Morality

The second level of Kohlberg's moral development centered on adhering to rules and social norms.

Postconventional Morality

The third level of Kohlberg's moral development where personal principles guide behavior.

Harlow's Monkeys

Experiments demonstrating physical comfort as a primary factor in attachment over food.

Attachment Styles

Patterns of attachment observed in Ainsworth's 'Strange Situation' study.

Novelty Preference

The tendency of infants to look longer at new stimuli.

Developmental Psychology

The field that studies change and continuity across the lifespan.

Tolerance

The need for an increased amount of a drug to achieve the same effect.

Withdrawal

Physical symptoms that occur after stopping drug use.

Physical Dependence

The body's physiological need for a drug.

Psychological Dependence

The emotional craving experienced after withdrawal from a drug.

Depressants

Types of drugs that slow down the central nervous system, such as alcohol and barbiturates.

Stimulants

Drugs such as cocaine, caffeine, and nicotine that increase brain activity.

Hallucinogens

Drugs like LSD and marijuana that alter perception.

Narcotics

Also known as opiates, these include drugs like heroin and morphine.

Fovea

The part of the eye responsible for sharp central vision and color detail.

Blind Spot

The area in the eye where there are no photoreceptors because the optic nerve exits.

Cones

Photoreceptor cells that detect color and fine detail.

Rods

Photoreceptor cells sensitive to low light; important for night vision.

Ventral Stream

The 'what' pathway in visual processing, important for object identification.

Dorsal Stream

The 'where/how' pathway in visual processing, involved in movement and spatial awareness.

Gestalt Principles

Rules describing how our brain organizes visual information into meaningful wholes.

Circadian Rhythm

The biological clock that regulates the 24-hour cycle of physiological processes.

REM Sleep

A sleep stage where dreaming most commonly occurs, marked by brain activity but body paralysis.

Activation-Synthesis Model

A theory suggesting dreams result from the brain's attempt to make sense of random neural activity.

Information Processing Model

A model suggesting dreams help process memories and solve problems.

Absolute Threshold

The minimum stimulus intensity required to detect a stimulus 50% of the time.

Difference Threshold (Just Noticeable Difference)

The smallest detectable change in a stimulus.

Sensory Adaptation

The diminishing sensitivity to a stimulus after prolonged exposure.

Bottom-Up Processing

Information processing that begins with sensory input.

Top-Down Processing

Information processing that utilizes previous experience and expectations.