Psych U1 3. psychological development 2

exam rev

1. What is typical psychological development?

Development that aligns with expected age-appropriate emotional, cognitive, and social milestones.

2. What is atypical psychological development?

Development that significantly deviates from expected patterns, such as missing key milestones (e.g., not speaking by age 3 or lacking social interaction in early childhood), which may signal developmental concerns or delays.

3. What is the cultural perspective on defining behaviour?

Behaviour is judged based on the values, traditions, and expectations of a specific culture.

4. Limitation of the cultural perspective:

What is considered atypical in one culture may be perfectly acceptable in another, leading to misclassification.

5. What are social norms in psychological classification?

Unwritten rules about how individuals should behave in social contexts.

6. Limitation of using social norms:

Norms can change over time and differ between cultures, making them unreliable across populations.

7. What is statistical rarity in defining atypical behaviour?

Behaviour is considered atypical if it occurs infrequently in the population.

8. Limitation of statistical rarity:

Not all rare behaviours are undesirable or problematic (e.g., giftedness is rare but not atypical in a negative sense).

9. What is the personal distress criterion for atypicality?

A behaviour is considered atypical if it causes significant discomfort or suffering to the individual.

10. Limitation of personal distress:

A person may not feel distress from behaviours that still negatively affect others or their own functioning.

11. What is maladaptive behaviour?

Behaviour that hinders a person’s ability to function effectively in daily life.

12. Limitation of the maladaptive behaviour criterion:

It may pathologise behaviours that are actually coping mechanisms or temporarily adaptive.

13. What is normality in psychology?

A range of behaviours, emotions, and thoughts that are culturally accepted and functional in everyday life.

14. What is abnormality in psychology?

Thoughts, feelings, or behaviours that deviate from the norm and impair daily functioning.

15. What is neurodiversity?

Neurodiversity is the concept that variations in brain functioning—such as those seen in autism, ADHD, or dyslexia—are part of natural human diversity, not necessarily deficits or disorders. It promotes the view that these differences should be recognised, respected, and accommodated.

16. What is an adaptive emotion, behaviour, or cognition?

One that helps the individual function effectively and meet life’s demands (e.g., managing anger, solving problems).

17. What is a maladaptive emotion, behaviour, or cognition?

One that interferes with wellbeing or daily functioning (e.g., avoidance, constant negative self-talk, aggression).

18. What is neurodiversity in the context of brain development?

A recognition that neurological differences are part of normal variation, not necessarily disorders.

19. What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?

A developmental condition characterised by challenges in social communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviours.

20. What are signs and symptoms of ASD?

Difficulty with eye contact, limited social-emotional reciprocity, repetitive behaviours, strict routines, and focused interests.

21. How is ASD linked to Theory of Mind?

Many individuals with ASD have difficulty understanding others’ thoughts, beliefs, and emotions—key aspects of Theory of Mind.

22. What is ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)?

A neurodevelopmental condition marked by patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

23. What are signs and symptoms of ADHD?

Difficulty focusing, forgetfulness, excessive movement, interrupting, poor task organisation, and impulsiveness.

24. How is ADHD linked to cognitive variation theories?

ADHD affects executive function, working memory, arousal and alertness regulation, and accurate time estimation.