Developmental Psychology and Mental Health Review

Flashcards on developmental psychology, biopsychosocial model, Piaget's theory, emotional and social development, attachment, neurodiversity, psychological criteria, and roles of mental health professionals.

Sensitive periods

Times in life when an individual is more responsive to certain experiences, making learning more effective.

Imprinting

When a newly born animal forms an attachment to the first thing it sees.

Critical period

A specific period in development during which the individual is most vulnerable to the absence of certain environmental stimuli or experiences.

Object permanence

An understanding that objects continue to exist even if they can’t be touched, seen or heard.

Goal-directed behaviour

A planned series of actions with a purpose.

Symbolic thinking

A type of thinking that uses symbols, such as words or images, to solve simple problems and to talk about things that are not physically present.

Animism

The belief that inanimate objects have feelings and intentions.

Egocentrism

See the world from one's own perspective, struggling to understand perspectives of others.

Transformation

The understanding that something can change from one state, form or structure to another.

Reversibility

The understanding that actions can be undone or reversed.

Conservation

The understanding that certain qualities of an object remain the same even when its appearance changes.

Classification

The ability to sort objects into groups based on their features.

Hypothetical deductive reasoning

A way of thinking that involves developing a hypothesis based on what might logically occur.

Abstract thinking

A way of thinking that is not reliant on directly observing, visualising, experiencing or manipulating something to understand it.

Assimilation

Fitting new information into existing schemes.

Accommodation

Adjusting schemas based on new information.

Attachment

The formation of a close, social & emotional bond between the infant & their caregivers.

Secure attachment

Child feels safe and explores freely when caregiver is present. Shows distress when caregiver leaves, comforted when returned. Not comforted by stranger. Caregiver is consistently responsive and nurturing.

Insecure avoidant attachment

Child shows little distress when caregiver leaves, avoids them upon return. May prefer to play alone. Not comforted by stranger showing no distress. Caregiver is emotionally unavailable or unresponsive to child's needs.

Insecure resistant attachment

Child is highly distressed when caregiver leaves, not comforted upon return. Clings and resist the caregiver. Not comforted by stranger still distressed. Caregiver has inconsistent responses to child's needs.

Insecure-disorganised attachment

The instinct of the child is to seek comfort, but as they get near

Observational learning

The acquisition of new behaviours as a result of observing the actions of others and the consequences of those actions.

Modelling

A form of learning whereby we observe the behaviour of others and then replicate it

Neurodiversity

The idea that every human has a unique nervous system with a different combination of abilities and needs.

Neurodivergent

People whose brains function differently to other people.

Neurotypicality

Standard or typical brain functioning, processing and behaviours.

Atypical behaviours

Patterns of behaviour that are not expected for an individual, falling outside the expected range of development, or progress at a different pace compared to similar-aged peers.

Typical behaviours

When individuals' actions and behaviours fall within expected range of development, or progress similar to peers same age

Cultural perspectives

A criterion for determining whether a behaviour is typical or atypical, by accounting for cultural norms or societal standards.

Social norms

Shared standards or social beliefs about what is normal, acceptable or typical behaviour.

Statistical rarity

A criterion that views abnormal or atypical behaviours as deviating significantly from the statistical average or mean.

Personal distress

A state in which a person experiences unpleasant or upsetting emotions, such as sadness, anxiety or feeling overwhelmed.

Maladaptive behaviour

Behaviours not helpful, interfering with ability to adjust to environment appropriately.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Neurodevelopmental disorder that can affect some areas of brain function. Symptoms: Hyperactivity, Inattention, Impulsivity, distractibility.

Psychiatrist

Diagnose and treat people with mental disorders, they can prescribe medication and perform medical procedures, and even admit patients to hospital.

Psychologist

Assess an individual’s mental health overall, provide management plans, counselling or psychotherapy, and treatments for mental disorders. They cannot prescribe medication.