AP Psych Unit 3 (3.1-3.6)

Developmental Psychology

a branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, and social changes throughout the lifespan

What are the two studies that developmental psychologists use?

cross-sectional and longitudinal studies

What are the three major issues within developmental psychology?

nature/nurture influence on development, continuity vs. stages, and stability vs. change

Jean Piaget

created the stages of cognitive development

Lawrence Kohlberg

created stages of moral development

Erik Erikson

created stages of psychosocial development

Temperament

emotional reactivity and intensity

Zygote

fertilized egg; enters a two-week period of rapid cell division and develops into an embryo

Embryo

the developing human organism from about 2 weeks after fertilization through the second month

Fetus

the developing human organism from 9 weeks after conception to birth

Teratogens

chemicals and viruses that can reach the embryo or fetus during prenatal development and cause harm

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

physical and cognitive abnormalities in children caused by a pregnant woman’s heavy drinking; in severe cases, signs include a small, out-of-proportion head and abnormal facial features

Habtituation

decreasing responsiveness with repeated stimulation; as infants gain familiarity with repeated exposure to a visual stimulus, their interest wanes and they look away sooner

Maturation

biological growth processes that enable orderly changes in behavior, relatively uninfluenced by experience

Adolescence

the transition period from childhood to adulthood, extending from puberty to independence; mature sexually

What does adolescence begin with?

puberty-a surge of hormones which triggers a series of bodily changes

What does early maturation look like for boys?

stronger/more athletic as a teen; tend to be more popular, self-assured, and independent but also more at risk for alcohol use, delinquency, and premature sexual activity

What does early maturation look like for girls?

if her body and hormones feel off from emotions and her friends, she might associate with older girls or get teased/sexually harassed

What ages are classified as early adulthood?

20s and 30s

What is classified as middle adulthood?

40s to age 65

What is classified as late adulthood?

after 65

Menopause

when women stop their period and can no longer reproduce (age 50)

Death-deferral phenomenon

people are more likely to die right after Christmas or a milestone

Gender

the socially influenced characteristics by which people define girl/woman and boy/man

Aggression

any physical or verbal behavior intended to hurt or destroy