AP Psychology - Unit 7 Slides

Developmental Psychology

Study of how people grow, develop, and change throughout their lives

Chronological Development

Follows sequential stages from birth to old age

Stability

Traits and behaviors that remain consistent over time. An example would be temperament, or the characteristic mood and activity level, often remains stable from infancy to adulthood.

Change

Traits and behaviors that evolve as individuals grow. An example would be cognitive abilities, such as problem solving skills, can improve with education and experience.

Nature

Genetic inheritance and biological factors. These biological predispositions shape the potential for development

Nurture

Environmental influences after conception, such as nutrition, upbringing, and culture. These can enhance or inhibit genetic potentials.

Continuous Development

Gradual and cumulative process. An example is Vygotsky’s theory emphasizes that learning is a continuous process influenced by social interactions.

Discontinuous development

Development occurs in distinct stages. An example is Piaget’s stages of cognitive development (sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, formal operational) that each represent different abilities.

Cross-Sectional Research

Studies different age groups at one point in time. These kinds of studies are efficient and provide an immediate comparison but cannot track individual changes over time.

Longitudinal Research

Follows the same individuals over an extended period. These kinds of studies provide detailed developmental trajectories and can identify casual relationships but are time-consuming, expensive, and have a risk of participant dropout.

Behavior

Observable actions of individuals. This provides measurable data on how people act in various situations.

Mental Processes

Internal experiences such as thoughts, emotions, and motivations. These help understand the underlying cognitive and emotional mechanisms that drive behavior.

Teratogens

Harmful agents like drugs, alcohol, and certain chemicals.

Maternal Illness

Diseases such as rubella or HIV can affect fetal development

Genetic Mutations

Changes in DNA that can lead to developmental disorders

Hormonal and Environmental Factors

Maternal stress and exposure to pollutants

Fine Motor Coordination

Small muscle movements, like grasping and manipulating objects

Gross Motor Coordination

Large muscle movements, like crawling, walking, and jumping

Rooting Reflex

Helps infants find the nipple for feeding

Moro Reflex

Startle response to a sudden loss of support

Visual Cliff Experiment

Assesses infants’ depth perception. An example is infants placed on a glass-covered table with a visual drop-off, many hesitate to cross, indicating depth perception

Critical Periods

Specific times when certain experiences are essential for development

Sensitive Periods

Times when the brain is particularly receptive to certain stimuli

Imprinting in Animals

Immediate attachment to the first moving object seen; ducklings following the first object they encounter

Adolescence

Marked by significant physical and psychological changes

Adolescent Growth Spurt

Rapid increase in height and weight

Primary Sex Characteristics

Development of reproductive organs

Menarche

First menstrual period

Spermarche

First ejaculation

Secondary Sex Characteristics

Other bodily changes during puberty, like breast development in girls, facial hair in boys.

Adulthood

Spans most of the lifespan and involves various developmental changes

Reproductive Ability

Declines with age, leading to menopause in women

Physical Abilities

General leveling off, followed by a varying decline in mobility, flexibility, and sensory acuity.

Sex

Biological differences between males and females (Chromosomes are XX female, XY male, 1 in 2000 are XXY)

Intersex

People born with ambiguous genitalia and have a chromosomal expression of XXY. In the 0.05% of people.

Gender

Social and cultural roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a society considers appropriate for men and women.

Parental Expectations

Parents may have different expectations based on the child’s sex. 

Peer Interactions

Children often play with same-sex peers, leading to gender-typed play styles.

Gender Roles

Societal norms dictate different roles for men and women

Gender Expression

How individuals present their gender tp the world

Media Influence

Historically, the media has portrayed stereotypical gender roles, although this has become more mixed in recent decades.

Self-Concept and Self-Esteem

Gender roles and expectations influence how individuals view themselves. An individual may experience lower self-esteem in situations that value typical male traits over typical female traits, or vice versa.

Mental Health

Gender norms can impact mental health differently for males and females. Masculine individuals may be less likely to seek help for mental health issues due to societal expectations of toughness.