Lifespan Development Review

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from a Human Development lecture.

Longitudinal Study Design

Following individuals over a long period of time with multiple assessment points.

Cross-Sectional Study

Compares different age groups at the same time.

Naturalistic Observation

Observing a research subject outside of a research setting and in a more natural location.

Case Study

A very detailed examination of an individual, often involving direct observation and interviews.

Correlational Research

Research that explores how two variables relate together using statistics to indicate the degree and direction of the relationship.

Experiment

A research design where the researcher tightly controls the setting, participants, and variables, manipulating a factor to observe its influence.

Prenatal Diagnostic Tests

Tests that allow parents and health care professionals to discern whether a baby is developing normally.

Ultrasound (Sonogram)

Directs high frequency sound waves into the mother’s abdomen to create an image of the developing baby.

Amniocentesis

Involves removing a sample of amniotic fluid through a syringe to test for chromosomal and genetic abnormalities.

Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)

Involves inserting a tube and removing tissue from the chorionic villi to detect genetic abnormalities.

Passive Genotype-Environment Interaction

Parents provide both the genetic predisposition and a nurturing context to foster certain qualities in a child; the child's role is passive.

Evocative Genotype-Environment Interaction

Parents provide the genetic predisposition for the child to then evoke certain reactions in others, influencing the child's development.

Active Genotype-Environment Interaction

A child actively seeks out environmental conditions that foster the development of certain qualities, based on a genetic predisposition.

Germinal Period

The period during the first two weeks after conception, when the zygote is created and attaches to the uterine wall.

Embryonic Period

The period from 2 to 8 weeks after conception, during which layers of cells are formed that will develop into organs and support systems.

Fetal Period

Begins two months after conception and lasts approximately seven months; major growth and development takes place.

Teratogens

Environmental agents that can interfere with natural growth and produce a birth defect.

Stage I of Childbirth

The longest stage of childbirth, beginning at the onset of true labor and ending when the cervix is completely dilated; includes early and active labor.

Stage II of Childbirth

The stage of childbirth involving delivery of the baby, beginning after the cervix is dilated completely and ending after the baby’s delivery.

Stage III of Childbirth

The stage of childbirth involving delivery of the placenta (afterbirth).

Analgesics

Relieve pain and include narcotics, barbiturates, and tranquilizers.

Anesthesia

Blocks the sensation of pain in a certain area of the body.

Oxytocics

Synthetic hormones that stimulate contractions for the purpose of inducing labor.

Prepared Childbirth (Lamaze)

Uses breathing techniques and education to help relieve pain and control fear during childbirth.

Postpartum Period

The period when the mother’s body heals and she emotionally adjusts to childbearing and childrearing, typically lasting approximately 6 weeks.

Involution

When the uterus returns to its normal size after childbirth

Turner Syndrome

A birth defect caused by the complete or partial absence of one X chromosome, leading to developmental and physical abnormalities.

Down Syndrome

A genetic disorder caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21, leading to intellectual disabilities and physical abnormalities.

Labor-Inducing Drugs

Medications that stimulate contractions in the uterus to induce or accelerate labor.

Pain Management in Childbirth

The use of medication to manage pain during labor and delivery.

Empowerment in Childbirth

Techniques and methods used to empower women and their partners during pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period.

Parent-Newborn Bonding

The formation of a close emotional bond between a parent and their newborn.

Brain Plasticity

The ability of the brain to reorganize by creating new neural connections throughout life, especially after an injury.

Habituation

The gradual decrease in response to a stimulus after repeated exposure.

Dishabituation

A decrease in responsiveness to a stimulus after repeated exposure, indicating learning and memory processes.

Sensory and Motor Development

Coordination of sensation and motor activity; involves reaching, grasping, and manipulating objects to learn about the world.

Sensorimotor Stage

Piaget's theory; infants construct an understanding of the world by coordinating sensory experiences with motor actions.

Object Permanence

Understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen, heard, or touched.

Organization and Adaptation from Piaget's Theory

Making sense of the world through organization and adaptation. Organization involves grouping isolated behaviors and thoughts into a higher-order system. Adaptation involves adjusting to new environmental demands.

Primary Circular Reactions

Infants repeat actions that bring interesting or pleasurable results and are discovered by chance.

Attention in Infancy

Increased attention to new stimuli and decreased attention to repeated stimuli.

Memory

Retention of information over time, involving encoding, storage, and retrieval.

Implicit Memory

Memory without conscious recollection; involves skills and routine procedures that are automatically performed.

Explicit Memory

Memory of facts and experiences that individuals consciously know and can state.

Deferred Imitation

Imitation that occurs after a time delay of hours or days.

Concepts

Groupings of similar objects, events, ideas, or people. Help infants make predictions about their world.

Language Development

The process by which children come to understand and communicate language during early childhood.

Babbling

Early stage of language development where infants produce repetitive consonant-vowel sounds.

Holophrases

Single words used by young children to convey complete thoughts or sentences.

Telegraphic Speech

Early form of speech used by children consisting of only essential words.

Overextension

The use of a word to refer to a broader range of objects or events than is appropriate.

Underextension

The use of a word to refer to a smaller range of objects or events than is appropriate.

Emotional Development

The process of learning to recognize and express feelings, and to establish a unique sense of self.

Attachment

The close emotional bond between an infant and their caregiver.

Temperament

An individual's behavioral style and characteristic way of responding emotionally.

Social Referencing

Reading emotional cues in others to help determine how to act in a particular situation.

Self-Awareness

A child's understanding that they are a separate individual

Longitudinal Study Design

Following individuals over a long period of time with multiple assessment points.

Cross-Sectional Study

Compares different age groups at the same time.

Naturalistic Observation

Observing a research subject outside of a research setting and in a more natural location.

Case Study

A very detailed examination of an individual, often involving direct observation and interviews.

Correlational Research

Research that explores how two variables relate together using statistics to indicate the degree and direction of the relationship.

Prenatal Diagnostic Tests

Tests that allow parents and health care professionals to discern whether a baby is developing normally.

Ultrasound (Sonogram)

Directs high frequency sound waves into the mother’s abdomen to create an image of the developing baby.

Amniocentesis

Involves removing a sample of amniotic fluid through a syringe to test for chromosomal and genetic abnormalities.

Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)

Involves inserting a tube and removing tissue from the chorionic villi to detect genetic abnormalities.

Passive Genotype-Environment Interaction

Parents provide both the genetic predisposition and a nurturing context to foster certain qualities in a child; the child's role is passive.

Evocative Genotype-Environment Interaction

Parents provide the genetic predisposition for the child to then evoke certain reactions in others, influencing the child's development.

Active Genotype-Environment Interaction

A child actively seeks out environmental conditions that foster the development of certain qualities, based on a genetic predisposition.

Germinal Period

The period during the first two weeks after conception, when the zygote is created and attaches to the uterine wall.

Embryonic Period

The period from 2 to 8 weeks after conception, during which layers of cells are formed that will develop into organs and support systems.

Fetal Period

Begins two months after conception and lasts approximately seven months; major growth and development takes place.

Teratogens

Environmental agents that can interfere with natural growth and produce a birth defect.

Stage I of Childbirth

The longest stage of childbirth, beginning at the onset of true labor and ending when the cervix is completely dilated; includes early and active labor.

Stage II of Childbirth

The stage of childbirth involving delivery of the baby, beginning after the cervix is dilated completely and ending after the baby’s delivery.

Stage III of Childbirth

The stage of childbirth involving delivery of the placenta (afterbirth).

Analgesics

Relieve pain and include narcotics, barbiturates, and tranquilizers.

Anesthesia

Blocks the sensation of pain in a certain area of the body.

Oxytocics

Synthetic hormones that stimulate contractions for the purpose of inducing labor.

Prepared Childbirth (Lamaze)

Uses breathing techniques and education to help relieve pain and control fear during childbirth.

Postpartum Period

The period when the mother’s body heals and she emotionally adjusts to childbearing and childrearing, typically lasting approximately 6 weeks.

Involution

When the uterus returns to its normal size after childbirth

Turner Syndrome

A birth defect caused by the complete or partial absence of one X chromosome, leading to developmental and physical abnormalities.

Down Syndrome

A genetic disorder caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21, leading to intellectual disabilities and physical abnormalities.

Labor-Inducing Drugs

Medications that stimulate contractions in the uterus to induce or accelerate labor.

Pain Management in Childbirth

The use of medication to manage pain during labor and delivery.

Empowerment in Childbirth

Techniques and methods used to empower women and their partners during pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period.

Parent-Newborn Bonding

The formation of a close emotional bond between a parent and their newborn.

Brain Plasticity

The ability of the brain to reorganize by creating new neural connections throughout life, especially after an injury.

Habituation

The gradual decrease in response to a stimulus after repeated exposure.

Dishabituation

A decrease in responsiveness to a stimulus after repeated exposure, indicating learning and memory processes.

Sensory and Motor Development

Coordination of sensation and motor activity; involves reaching, grasping, and manipulating objects to learn about the world.

Sensorimotor Stage

Piaget's theory; infants construct an understanding of the world by coordinating sensory experiences with motor actions.

Object Permanence

Understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen, heard, or touched.

Organization and Adaptation from Piaget's Theory

Making sense of the world through organization and adaptation. Organization involves grouping isolated behaviors and thoughts into a higher-order system. Adaptation involves adjusting to new environmental demands.

Primary Circular Reactions

Infants repeat actions that bring interesting or pleasurable results and are discovered by chance.

Attention in Infancy

Increased attention to new stimuli and decreased attention to repeated stimuli.

Memory

Retention of information over time, involving encoding, storage, and retrieval.

Implicit Memory

Memory without conscious recollection; involves skills and routine procedures that are automatically performed.

Explicit Memory

Memory of facts and experiences that individuals consciously know and can state.