Psychology - Child Development

Developmental Psychology

a branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, and social change throughout the life span.

Sensorimotor Stage

in Piaget's theory, the stage (from birth to about 2 years of age) during which infants know the world mostly in terms of their sensory impressions and motor activities.

Object Permanence

the awareness that things continue to exist even when not perceived. develops in the sensorimotor state

Preoperational Stage

in Piaget's theory, the stage (from 2 to about 6 or 7 years of age) during which a child learns to use language but does not yet comprehend the mental operations of concrete logic.

Conservation

the principle (which Piaget believed to be a part of concrete operational reasoning) that properties such as mass, volume, and number remain the same despite changes in the forms of objects.

Egocentrism

in Piaget's theory, the preoperational child's difficulty taking another's point of view.

Concrete Operational Stage

in Piaget's theory, the stage of cognitive development (from about 6 or 7 to 11 years of age) during which children gain the mental operations that enable them to think logically but not abstractly about concrete events.

Formal Operational Stage

in Piaget's theory, the stage of cognitive development (normally beginning about age 12) during which people begin to think logically about abstract concepts.

Stranger Anxiety

the fear of strangers that infants commonly display, beginning by about 8 months of age.

Attachment

an emotional tie with another person; shown in young children by their seeking closeness to the caregiver and showing distress on separation.

Imprinting

the process by which certain animals form attachments during a critical period very early in life. Humans do not do this

Konrad Lorenz

studied how geese imprint

Mary Ainsworth

Researcher who developed "the strange situation" to study attachment

Strange Situation

Involved a mother briefly leaving a young child in a room. A stranger then enters. Later, the mother returns. Used to study attachment

Secure Attachhment

When mom was in the room, explored but were wary of the stranger. When child was left alone they cried, but were soothed when the mother returned.

Insecure Attachment

When mom was in the room, didn't really touch base with her or care when she left and stranger entered. Didn't care when mom returned

Nature

heredity, or the influence of inherited characteristics on personality, intellect, and development

Nurture

environment; the influence our surroundings, parenting styles, economic factors have on our personality, intellect, ad development

Erik Erikson

Developed an 8 stage theory of psychosocial development where each stage was centered on overcoming a crisis such as trust vs mistrust

Punishment vs Obedience Morality

First stage of Kohlberg's theory where morality is based on punishment. If I didn't get caught/punished then it was OK to do it.

Approval Seeking Morality

Third stage of Kohlberg's theory where morality is based on conforming to others. If everybody's doing it, it must be ok!

Social Contract Morality

Fifth stage of Kohlberg's theory where a person may decide to break a law to protect someone's rights.

Authoritarian parenting

parents who are very inflexible, stern and strict. More likely to use physical punishment. Children tend to grow up with low self esteem, be timid and withdrawn. Others might rebel.

Permissive parenting

parents who are more friends to their children and do not set any boundaries. Children tend to be selfish, immature, and dependent upon parents.

Authoritative parenting

parents who set clear expectations and boundaries but who are warm, fair, and flexible. Children tend to grow up to be well adjusted and have high self esteem.

Autonomy vs Shame/Doubt

Erikson stage ages 1-3 when children are learning to direct their own behavior and feel that they can do things for themselves. I can do it vs I can't do it!

Initiative vs. Guilt

Erikson stage ages 3-5 where children must learn to control their behavior and take responsibility for their actions. I decided to do it vs I really shouldn't have done that!

Industry vs. Inferiority

Erikson stage ages 5-12 where children learn to feel competence and self esteem as they learn new knowlesdge and skills. I can do it well vs. I am terrible at that!

Jean Piaget

Created a four stage theory of Cognitive Development

Pleasure Seeking Morality

Second stage of Kohlberg's theory where decisions are based on how much pleasure it brings. If it feels good, do it.

Law and Order Morality

Fourth stage of Kohlberg's theory where decisions are based on following rules. A law is a law is a law!

Universal Ethical Principles Morality

Sixth and highest stage of Kohlberg's theory where decisions are based on a personal code of ethics. Laws may be broken to protect the rights of many people.