Developmental Psychology: Theories, Infancy, and Research Methods

What is Developmental Psychology?

The study of changes in behavior and mental processes from conception to death.

What are Ainsworth's Attachment Styles?

A framework describing different patterns of attachment behavior in children, including secure, anxious, avoidant, and disorganized attachment.

What are Maccoby and Martin's Four Parenting Styles?

A classification of parenting styles: authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and neglectful, each with different impacts on child development.

What are Erickson's Stages of Development?

A theory proposing eight stages of psychosocial development, each characterized by a specific conflict that must be resolved.

What is Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development?

A theory that outlines the stages of moral reasoning, which include pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional levels.

What is Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development?

The difference between what a learner can do without help and what they can do with guidance from a more knowledgeable other.

What is the Grasping Reflex?

An infant's automatic response to grasp objects placed in their palm, present from fetal development until about 6 months.

What is the Rooting Reflex?

An infant's instinctive response to turn their head toward a stimulus and make sucking motions when their cheek is stroked, lasting until about 4 months.

What is the Moro Reflex?

A reflex in newborns where they spread their arms and legs in response to a sudden loss of support or loud noise, typically disappearing by 5 months.

What is object permanence?

The understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen, heard, or touched, typically developed by infants around 8-12 months.

What is imprinting in animal behavior?

The process by which certain animals form attachments during a critical period early in life, often to the first moving object they encounter.

What is the visual cliff experiment?

A test to measure depth perception in infants using a transparent surface over a drop-off to see if they will crawl over the edge.

What was the main finding of Harry Harlow's monkey study?

Monkeys preferred cloth surrogate mothers over wire ones, indicating the importance of comfort and security in attachment.

What is the Other-Race Effect?

The phenomenon where individuals find it easier to recognize faces of their own racial group compared to those of other racial groups, emerging in infancy.

What is the role of nature in development?

The genetic and biological factors that influence physical and psychological traits, including personality and intelligence.

What is the role of nurture in development?

The environmental influences that shape behavior and development, including parenting, culture, and life experiences.

What are critical periods in development?

Specific times in development when certain skills or abilities must be acquired, or they may be difficult or impossible to develop later.

What is the Genie case study?

A case of a feral child who was isolated and deprived of language, highlighting the importance of early social interaction for language development.

What distinguishes cross-sectional from longitudinal research designs?

Cross-sectional studies analyze data from different groups at a single point in time, while longitudinal studies track the same individuals over an extended period.

What is the significance of reflexes in newborns?

Reflexes are automatic responses that indicate the functioning of the nervous system and are essential for survival in newborns.

What is the impact of prenatal influences on development?

Factors such as maternal health, stress, and exposure to teratogens can significantly affect fetal development and later outcomes.

What is the importance of social interactions in learning?

Social interactions with knowledgeable others provide opportunities for observation, practice, and scaffolding, essential for cognitive development.

What are the implications of aging on society?

An increase in the aging population can lead to a decline in the working-age population, increased healthcare costs, and economic changes.

What is the relationship between attachment styles and parenting?

Attachment styles in children often reflect the caregiving patterns of their parents, influencing their emotional and social development.

What are the effects of cultural differences on development?

Cultural factors can influence developmental milestones, parenting styles, and the perception of crises in Erickson's stages.

What is the significance of visual stimuli for newborns?

Newborns are drawn to high-contrast images, primary colors, and faces, which are crucial for their visual development and social engagement.

What is the role of scaffolding in learning?

Scaffolding involves providing support and guidance to learners, helping them accomplish tasks within their Zone of Proximal Development.

What is the difference between utilitarian and deontological ethics?

Utilitarian ethics focus on the consequences of actions to maximize overall happiness, while deontological ethics emphasize duties and rules regardless of outcomes.