Ap Psychology Unit 9

Nature-Nurture

Issue-discussion over relative importance of nature and nature in their influence on behavior and mental processes

Conditioning

Classical and operant

Parent types

Authoritarian, Permissive, Negligent/uninvolved, and Authoritican (ideal)

Cognitive development

The process by which thinking changes over time

Sensorimotor

Birth to about 2

Innate motor responses to stimuli-see and touch

Preoperational

From 2 to 6/7

Marked by well developed mental; representation and the use of language

Animistic thinking

Confusing of animate/inanimate objects

Centration

Focus on one characteristic instead of all

Developmental psychology

How organisms change over time as the result of biological and environmental influences

Teratogens

Toxic substances that can damage the developing organism

Habituation

Decreasing responsiveness with repeated exposure to a stimulus

Maturation

The unfolding of genetically programmed process of growth and development over time (Physical, intellectual,emotional)

Schema

Mental structures, concepts, frameworks that help organize information

Assimilation

Mental process that modifies new information to fit into existing schemas

Accommodation

Mental process that restructures existing schemas so that new information is better understood

Object permanence

Things continue to exist when not perceived

Conservation

Changing form doesn’t change amount/quantity

Egocentrism

Inability to see other POV’S

Theory of Mind

Awareness that other people’s behaviors may be influenced by beliefs, desires, and emotions that differ from one’s own

Piaget’s Concrete Operational Stage of Cognitive Development

(Age 7-11)(Child is incapable of abstract thought)(Simple logic only)

Piaget’s Formal Operational Stage of Cognitive Development

(Age 12 and on)(Abstract thought- hypothetical logical consequences) (Understand impact on past and present)

Zone of proximal development

A general range for the development of children

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

A disorder that appears in childhood and is marked by significant deficiencies in communication and social interaction

Stranger anxiety

The fear of strangers that infants commonly display, beginning by about 8 months

Attachment

Deep enduring socio-emotional relationship with another

Harry Harlow’s contract comfort studies

Beyond biological needs (contact comfort)

Critical period

An optimal period early in the life of an organism when exposure to certain stimuli or experiences produces normal development

Imprinting

Form an immediate attachment

Secure attachment

Consistent care

Insecure attachment

inconsistent care

Anxious-ambivalent attachment

Inconsistent, uncertain

Avoidant attachment

Unresponsive, independent

Temperament

Characteristic manner of behavior or reaction (Strong biological origin)

Basic trust

A sense that the world is predictable and trustworthy

Sex

The biologically influenced characteristic by which people define male and female

Gender

The socially influenced characterists

Relational aggression

An act of aggression intended to harm a persons relationship or social standing

Gender role

A set of expected behaviors, attitudes, and traits for males or for females

Gender identity

Our sense of being male, female, or some combination

Gender typing

The acquisition of a traditional masculine or feminine role

Androgyny

Displaying both traditional masculine and feminine psychological characteristics

Transgender

An umbrella term describing people whose gender identity or expression differs from that associated with their birth-designated sex

Adolescence

The transition period from childhood to adulthood

Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development

Moves from morality-based reward/punishment to one based on Abstract ethical principles (1 pre-conventional- Self-interest reward/consequences)(2 Conventional- acceptance, laws/social order)(3 post-conventional-mutual benefit ethical principles/rights/justice)

Erikson’s Psychological Stages of Development

(Childhood through adulthood)(Considers external factors, parents, society, culture)(Wide and integrated set of life skills and abilities)

Primary Sex Characteristics

The body structures that make sexual reproduction possible

Secondary Sex Characteristics

Nonreproductive sexual traits

Intersex

A condition present at birth due to unusual combinations of male and female chromosomes, hormones, anatomy

Sexual orientation

Our enduring sexual attraction, usually toward members of our own sex or other sex

Neurocognitive disorders (NCDs

Acquired disorders marked by cognitive deficits related to Alzheimer’s, brain injury or diseases, or substance abuse

Alzheimer’s disease

A neurocognitive disorder marked by neural plaques often with onset after age 80, a decline in memory and cognitive abilities

Social Clock

The culturally preferred timing of social events like marriage, parenthood, and retirement