1.2 Psychoanalytic, Psychosocial, Behavioral, & Cognitive

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts in developmental psychology, particularly focusing on psychoanalytic, psychosocial, behavioral, and cognitive theories.

Psychoanalytic Perspective

An approach to psychology founded by Sigmund Freud that emphasizes the importance of unconscious processes and childhood experiences in shaping personality.

Psychosexual Stages

Stages of development proposed by Freud, where personality evolves from resolving conflicts between biological drives and societal expectations during early childhood.

Id

The part of the personality present at birth that represents basic biological drives and desires.

Ego

The conscious part of the personality that mediates between the demands of the id and superego.

Superego

The part of personality that represents the conscience and societal values, developed between ages 3-6.

Erikson’s Psychosocial Development

A theory proposing eight stages of development across the lifespan, focusing on social interactions and identity formation.

Trust vs. Mistrust Stage

The first stage in Erikson's theory where infants learn to trust caregivers when their needs are met.

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt Stage

The second stage in Erikson's theory focused on toddlers developing independence and self-control.

Initiative vs. Guilt Stage

The third stage in Erikson's theory where children learn to initiate and carry out actions, balancing independence with social standards.

Industry vs. Inferiority Stage

The fourth stage in Erikson’s theory where children develop a sense of competence in skills and abilities.

Identity vs. Role Confusion Stage

The fifth stage in Erikson's theory during adolescence where individuals explore their identity.

Intimacy vs. Isolation Stage

The sixth stage in Erikson's theory focused on forming meaningful relationships in young adulthood.

Generativity vs. Stagnation Stage

The seventh stage in Erikson’s theory where adults contribute to society and support the next generation.

Ego Integrity vs. Despair Stage

The final stage in Erikson's theory where older adults reflect on their life and feel either content or regret.

Behaviorism

A psychological approach that focuses on observable behaviors and the ways they can be learned or unlearned through interaction with the environment.

Classical Conditioning

A learning process that occurs through associations between an environmental stimulus and a naturally occurring stimulus, famously studied by Ivan Pavlov.

Operant Conditioning

A learning process through which the strength of a behavior is modified by reinforcement or punishment.

Social Learning Theory

A theory proposing that behavior is learned through observation of others and through the influence of cognitive processes.

Cognitive Development

A process described by Piaget wherein a child’s understanding of the world evolves through stages driven by maturation and experience.

Sensorimotor Stage

The first stage in Piaget's theory (birth to 2 years) where children understand the world through sensory experiences and physical interactions.

Egocentric Thought

A typical characteristic of young children that is marked by a focus on their own perspective and experiences.

Concrete Operational Stage

The third stage in Piaget's theory (7 to 12 years) where children begin to think logically about concrete events.

Formal Operational Stage

The final stage in Piaget’s theory (12 years to adulthood) where abstract and systematic thinking develops.