Key Concepts in Developmental Psychology

Flashcards covering fundamental concepts in developmental psychology and related fields.

Developmental psychology

An area of cognitive development focusing on brain growth and development from 0-5 years.

Object permanence

Understanding that objects, people, and events continue to exist even when they cannot be observed.

Jean Piaget

Swiss psychologist known for his work on children's cognitive development.

Conservation

The concept that certain properties of objects remain the same despite changes in their form or arrangement.

Private speech

Talking to oneself, not intended for others; a way to guide one's own thoughts.

Gametes

Reproductive cells, specifically eggs and sperm.

Cephalo caudal development

Development that occurs from head to tail; the head end develops first.

Apoptsis

Programmed cell death; a natural process during development.

Embryonic stage

A critical and rapid period of prenatal development that begins with implantation.

Teratogens

Substances that can cause developmental abnormalities during pregnancy.

Fetal alcohol syndrome

A severe lifelong condition caused by alcohol exposure during pregnancy.

Polygenic traits

Traits influenced by multiple genes combined to produce a phenotype.

Genotype

An individual's unique set of chromosomes or genetic makeup.

Phenotype

The physical and behavioral expression of an individual's genotype.

Genome

The complete set of an organism's chromosomes and genes.

Sex linked inheritance

The inheritance of traits determined by genes on the sex chromosomes.

Behavioral genetics

The study of the interaction between genetic and environmental factors in shaping behaviors.

Attachment

The strong emotional bond that develops between an infant and primary caregiver.

Harlow's monkeys

Research demonstrating the preference for comfort and emotional security over basic needs.

Separation anxiety

Fear and distress shown by children when their parents leave.

Stranger anxiety

Fear of unfamiliar people typically observed in infants.

Cooing

Vowel sounds produced by infants as part of language development.

Babbling

Combination of constant vowels and syllables produced in early language development.

Holophrastic speech

A stage where a single word expresses a complex idea in child language development.

Authoritarian parenting

A strict style of parenting characterized by high demands and low responsiveness.

Authoritative parenting

A balanced style of parenting with rules and warmth, allowing for child responsibility.

Puberty

The developmental stage when an individual's body matures sexually and becomes fertile.

Menopause

The end of a woman's menstrual cycle and reproductive capability.

Fluid intelligence

The capacity to think logically and solve problems in novel situations, independent of acquired knowledge.

Crystallized intelligence

The accumulated knowledge and verbal skills that remain stable or grow with age.

5 stages of death

Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance; stages described by Elizabeth Kübler-Ross.

Activation

The first step towards the accomplishment of a goal.

Persistence

The continued effort towards a goal despite obstacles.

Intensity

The energy and attention dedicated to achieving a goal.

Primary drives

Basic biological needs such as food, water, and shelter.

Social motives

Needs and desires acquired through personal experiences and social interactions.

Instincts

Inborn patterns of behavior that are characteristic of a species.

Maslow's hierarchy of needs

A psychological theory outlining a hierarchy of human needs from basic (physiological) to self-actualization.

I/O psychology

The study of human behavior in organizational and workplace settings.

Anorexia

An eating disorder involving a refusal to maintain a healthy body weight.

Bulimia

An eating disorder characterized by binge eating followed by purging.

Repression

The unconscious burying of unpleasant memories.

Projection

Attributing one's own feelings or thoughts onto others.

Carl Jung

A neo-Freudian psychologist who believed personality was not fully formed in early adulthood.

Self-efficacy

Belief in one's ability to succeed in specific situations.

Internal locus of control

The perception that one is in control of their own behavior and outcomes.

External locus of control

The perception that external factors, such as fate or luck, influence outcomes.

MMPI

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory; a standard psychological assessment tool for diagnosing mental disorders.

Rorschach test

A projective psychological test using inkblots to reveal thoughts, feelings, and personality.