Developmental Psychology (AP)

What are longitudinal studies?

Studies that follow the same group of people over a period of time to evaluate changes in these individuals.

What are the pros of longitudinal studies?

They provide detailed insights into developmental changes over time.

What are the cons of longitudinal studies?

They can be very expensive and may suffer from participant drop-out over time.

How do cross-sectional studies differ from longitudinal studies?

Cross-sectional studies examine different age groups at the same time instead of following one group over time.

What is a potential issue with cross-sectional studies?

A single age group can be significantly different from others in terms of life experiences, which can invalidate the results.

What are cohort sequential studies?

Studies that assess cross-sectional groups at least twice over months or years to compare results.

What is maturation?

The orderly unfolding of traits as regulated by a genetic code.

What is the difference between continuous and discontinuous development?

Continuous development is gradual, while discontinuous development occurs in distinct stages.

What is a stage in development?

A distinct period of life that is qualitatively different from other stages.

What happens in the germinal stage of prenatal development?

The zygote divides and implants in the uterine wall, with cells differentiating into the baby and support structures.

What is cephalocaudal development?

The top-to-bottom organ development process.

What is proximodistal development?

The bottom-to-top development process.

What occurs during the fetal stage?

The fetus grows larger, responds to external stimuli, and begins fetal movements.

How can hormones influence fetal development?

Insufficient thyroid hormones in the mother may hinder intellectual development; stress can also impact fetal growth.

What are teratogens?

Environmental agents that can harm the embryo or fetus.

How can alcohol and opiates affect fetal development?

They can lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and withdrawal symptoms in newborns.

What are reflexes unique to infancy?

Grasping reflex, rooting reflex, sucking reflex, Moro reflex, Babinski reflex, swimming reflex, and stepping reflex.

What is the dynamic systems theory?

Development is a self-organizing process emerging from interactions between a biological being and their environment.

What are two aspects of early brain development?

Specific brain areas mature and communicate with each other through synaptic connections.

What is synaptic pruning?

The brain organizes itself by preserving necessary connections while eliminating others.

What did Robert Fantz discover about infant vision?

Infants have poor distant vision at birth, improving rapidly over the first 6 months.

What is socioemotional development?

The process by which children learn to identify, understand, express, and manage emotions.

What is temperament?

The characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity of an infant.

What is attachment?

The strong, persistent bond between infants and caregivers.

What is imprinting?

A process where young animals become attached to the first moving object they see, typically their caregiver.

What was Harry Harlow's contribution to attachment theory?

His studies demonstrated that physical contact is crucial for attachment, not just nourishment.

What is separation anxiety?

An infant’s fear of being separated from their caregiver.

What does secure attachment look like in a child?

Children show happiness upon reunion with their caregiver after a period of separation.

What are the types of insecure attachment?

Insecure avoidant, insecure anxious/ambivalent, and disorganized attachment.

What is an inhibited temperament?

A temperament characterized by caution and avoidance of new people or situations.

What is the zone of proximal development?

The range of tasks that a child can perform with guidance but not yet independently.

What is moral reasoning like at the preconventional level according to Kohlberg?

It is determined by the consequences of actions for the individual.

What is the difference between fluid and crystallized intelligence?

Fluid intelligence decreases with age and involves processing new information, while crystallized intelligence increases and is based on learned knowledge.

What is dementia?

A condition causing progressive deterioration of thinking, memory, and behavior.

What is socioemotional selectivity theory?

Younger adults focus on future-oriented information, while older adults prioritize emotionally satisfying information.

What is joint attention?

When infants and caregivers focus on the same object, promoting language development.

What are overextensions in language development?

Using a known word to refer to things not specifically labeled.

What is telegraphic speech?

Rudimentary sentences missing words but following a syntax that conveys meaning.

What did Chomsky propose about universal grammar?

All languages are based on an innate knowledge of universal linguistic elements.

What is a critical period for language development?

A time frame before age 7 where exposure to language is crucial for proper language acquisition.

What is the phonics approach to reading?

Teaching sounds before words, which evidence suggests is more effective than learning words as whole units.

What did Skinner believe about language acquisition?

Language is learned through reinforcement and does not account for creativity or overgeneralization.