The Phases of the Life Cycle

Flashcards about Phases of the Life Cycle, covering prenatal development, infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, cognitive development by Piaget and Vygotsky, Erikson's psychosocial theory.

Germinal Stage

The first phase of prenatal development, lasting the first two weeks after conception.

Zygote

Created through fertilization when the nuclei of the egg and sperm fuse.

Placenta

A structure that allows oxygen and nutrients to pass into the fetus from the mother’s bloodstream and bodily wastes to pass out to the mother.

Embryonic Stage

The second stage of prenatal development, lasting from two weeks until the end of the second month, during which most of the vital organs and bodily systems begin to form.

Embryo

The developing organism in the embryonic stage.

Teratogens

External agents, such as drugs and viruses, that can damage the developing embryo or fetus.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

Cognitive, behavioral, and body/brain structure abnormalities caused by exposure to alcohol in the fetal stage.

Fetal Stage

The third stage of prenatal development, lasting from two months until birth.

Threshold of Viability

Around 23-26 weeks of prenatal development, the age at which a baby can survive in the case of premature birth.

Rooting Reflex

A newborn reflex where the infant turns toward a touch on their cheek.

Brainstem & Limbic System

Parts of the brain where neural connections take place during infancy, enabling body functions and basic survival skills.

Association Areas

Brain areas where neural connections proliferate in early childhood, enabling advancements in controlling attention, behavior, thinking, memory, and language.

Maturation

Takes place in the body and cerebellum, enabling motor development.

Habituation

A concept where familiarity with a stimulus reduces, slows, or stops a response.

Dishabituation

An increase in response after the presentation of a new stimulus.

assimilation

process of matching external reality to an existing cognitive structure.

accommodation

When there’s an inconsistency between the learner’s cognitive structure and the thing being learned the child will reorganise her/his thoughts.

Object Permanence

The understanding that things continue to exist even when they are out of sight, typically developed during the sensorimotor stage.

Egocentrism

Difficulty perceiving things from another's point of view.

Theory of Mind

People’s ideas about their own and others’ mental states.

Preoperational Stage

Piaget's stage (2-6/7 years) characterized by language development and egocentric thought.

Concrete Operational Stage

Piagets's stage (6/7-11 years) during which children gain the mental operations that enable them to think logically about concrete events.

Formal Operational Stage

Piaget's stage (age 12+) during which reasoning expands to include abstract thinking.

Zone of Proximal Development

The distance between the actual development level as determined by independent problem solving and the level of potential development as determined through problem solving under adult guidance or in collaboration with more capable peers.

Scaffolding

Supportive activities provided by a mentor or teacher that help guide the learner through the Zone of Proximal Development.

Self-Concept

Childhood’s major social achievement is a Positive Sense of Self.

Puberty

The time when we mature sexually, marking the beginning of adolescence.

Primary Sex Characteristics

The reproductive organs that develop dramatically during puberty.

Secondary Sex Characteristics

The nonreproductive characteristics, such as female breasts and hips and male voice quality and body hair, that develop during puberty.

Erik Erikson

Developed Psychosocial Theory and acknowledged lifespan development.

Basic trust vs. Basic Mistrust

Erikson stage from birth to 12-18 months where children develop a sense of trust when caregivers provide reliability, care, and affection.

Autonomy versus Shame

Erikson stage from 12-18 months – 3 years, children need to develop a sense of personal control over physical skills and a sense of independence.

Initiative versus guilt

Erikson stage from 3 – 6 years, children need to begin asserting control and power. Success leads to a sense of purpose.

Industry versus inferiority

Erikson stage from 6 years - puberty, children need to cope with new social and academic demands. Success leads to a sense of competence, while failure results in feelings of inferiority.

Identity versus Identity confusion

Erikson stage from Puberty – Young Adulthood , adolescents need to develop a sense of self and personal identity. Success leads to an ability to stay true to yourself.

Intimacy versus Isolation

Erikson stage in Young Adulthood, young adults need to form intimate, loving relationships with other people. Success leads to strong relationships.

Generativity versus Stagnation

Erikson stage in Middle Adulthood, adults need to create or nurture things that will outlast them, often by having children or creating a positive change that benefits other people. Success leads to feelings of usefulness and accomplishment

Integrity versus Despair

Erikson stage in Late Adulthood, older adults need to look back on life and feel a sense of fulfilment. Success at this stage leads to feelings of wisdom.