Unit 6: Developmental Psychology

1. Developmental Psychology

1. Developmental Psychology

Study of human growth and development over life.

2. Stability vs. Change

Debate on consistency or change in development.

3. Nature and Nurture

Influence of genetics and environment on development.

4. Continuity vs. Discontinuity / Stages

Whether development is gradual or in stages.

5. Cross-Sectional Research

Study comparing different age groups at one time.

6. Longitudinal Research

Study following the same group over time.

7. Teratogens

Harmful substances that affect fetal development.

8. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Developmental issues due to maternal alcohol consumption.

9. Maturation

Natural growth and development over time.

10. Rooting Reflex

Baby turns head towards touch on cheek.

11. Visual Cliff Apparatus

Tests infant depth perception and fear of heights.

12. Critical/Sensitive Period

Time when development is most susceptible to outside influences.

13. Adolescence

Period between childhood and adulthood; puberty to independence.

14. Puberty

Physical changes marking the transition to adulthood.

15. Primary Sex Characteristics

Reproductive organs and genitalia.

16. Secondary Sex Characteristics

Physical features like body hair, voice changes.

17. Spermarche

Male’s first ejaculation.

18. Menarche

Female’s first menstrual period.

19. Menopause

End of menstrual cycles in women.

20. Crystallized Intelligence

Knowledge and skills gained over time.

21. Fluid Intelligence

Ability to solve new problems and think abstractly.

22. Dementia

Cognitive decline affecting memory and thinking.

23. Sex

Biological differences between male and female.

24. Gender

Socially constructed roles and behaviors for males and females.

25. Role

Expected behaviors and responsibilities in society.

26. Gender Role

Social expectations for behaviors based on gender.

27. Gender Typing

Process of adopting gendered behaviors and traits.

28. Gender Identity

One’s personal sense of being male, female, etc.

29. Social Learning Theory

Learning through observing and imitating others.

30. Gender Stereotypes

Overgeneralized beliefs about male and female traits.

31. Sexuality/Sexual Orientation

Attraction to others (hetero, homo, bi, etc.).

32. Habituation

Decreased response to repeated stimuli.

33. Cognition

Mental processes involved in knowledge and thought.

34. Jean Piaget Theory of Cognitive Development

Stages of cognitive growth (sensorimotor, etc.).

35. Schema

Mental frameworks for organizing and interpreting information.

36. Assimilation

Integrating new experiences into existing schemas.

37. Accommodation

Changing schemas to incorporate new information.

38. Sensorimotor Stage

Piaget’s first stage; sensory exploration, object permanence.

• Example

Baby recognizes hidden toy after 6 months.

39. Separation Anxiety

Distress when separated from primary caregiver.

• Example

Toddler cries when mom leaves.

40. Object Permanence

Understanding that objects continue to exist when unseen.

41. Preoperational Stage

Piaget’s stage; symbolic thinking, egocentrism, lack conservation.

42. Conservation (lacks of this)

Lack of understanding that quantity remains unchanged.

43. Egocentrism

Difficulty in seeing others' perspectives.

44. Concrete Operational Stage

Piaget’s stage; logical thinking, conservation.

45. Formal Operational Stage

Piaget’s stage; abstract thinking, problem-solving.

46. Zone of Proximal Development (Vygotsky)

Gap between what a learner can do alone vs. with help.

47. Scaffold

Temporary support to help a learner perform tasks.

48. Theory of Mind

Understanding others' thoughts, feelings, and intentions.

49. Language

System of communication using symbols, sounds, or gestures.

50. Phoneme

Smallest unit of sound in language.

51. Morpheme

Smallest unit of meaning in language.

52. Syntax

Rules for sentence structure in a language.

53. Cooing

Early infant vocalizations, usually vowels.

54. Babbling Stage

Repetitive consonant-vowel combinations in early speech.

55. One-Word Stage

Child uses single words to represent ideas.

56. Two-Word Stage

Child combines two words for simple sentences.

57. Telegraphic Speech

Early speech that includes essential words only.

58. Overgeneralization

Applying rules too broadly in language learning.

59. Ecological Systems Theory

Bronfenbrenner’s model of environmental layers affecting development.

60. Attachment

Emotional bond between caregiver and child.

61. Imprinting

Animals form strong bonds to first moving object seen.

62. Harry Harlow (Monkeys + Attachment)

Studied attachment using surrogate mother monkeys.

63. Strange Situation

Ainsworth's test to study attachment in infants.

64. Secure Attachment

Children trust caregivers, feel safe exploring.

65. Insecure Attachment

Children avoid or resist caregivers, anxious behaviors.

66. Basic Trust

Erikson's concept; belief that world is safe and predictable.

67. Self Concept

Awareness of oneself as an individual.

68. Temperament

Person’s characteristic emotional reactions and behaviors.

69. Authoritarian

Parenting style; strict, high control, low warmth.

70. Authoritative

Parenting style; supportive, but with rules and limits.

71. Permissive

Parenting style; lenient, few rules or expectations.

72. Identity

Sense of self, how one views themselves in the world.

73. Social Identity

Part of self

Imaginary Audience

The belief that others are as preoccupied with the adolescent's thoughts and behaviors as they are themselves.

Personal Fable

The belief that one’s experiences are unique and that no one else could possibly understand what they are going through.

Trust vs. Misrust

The first stage in Erikson's psychosocial development theory, where infants learn to trust their caregivers to meet their needs, or develop mistrust if their needs are not met.

Autonomy vs. shame and doubt

The second stage in Erikson's theory, occurring in early childhood, where children learn independence and self-control or experience shame and doubt about their abilities.

Initiative vs. guilt

The third stage, in which preschool-aged children develop initiative by taking on tasks and challenges or feel guilty for their efforts.

Industry vs. inferiority

The fourth stage, where children gain a sense of competence through school and social interactions or feel inferior if they struggle.

Identity vs. role confusion

The fifth stage, typically during adolescence, where individuals explore their identity and roles in society, either achieving a sense of identity or feeling confused about who they are.

Intimacy vs. isolation

The sixth stage, where young adults form intimate relationships or feel isolated and disconnected.

Generativity vs stagnation

The seventh stage, where adults contribute to society and future generations through work, family, or community, or feel stagnant and unproductive.

Integrity vs despair

The eighth stage, where older adults reflect on their lives, feeling a sense of integrity or despair depending on how they view their past.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Traumatic events that occur in childhood, such as abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction, that can negatively affect long-term health and well-being.

Achievement

A state of commitment to an identity, following exploration of options; typically occurs after a period of identity moratorium.

Diffusion

A state of identity in which an individual has not yet explored or committed to any particular identity or role.

Foreclosure

A state where an individual has made an identity commitment without exploring other options, often based on parental or societal expectations.

Moratorium

A state of active exploration of different roles and identities, without yet making a commitment.

Social Clock

A societal timetable or expectation for major life events (like marriage, career, or having children) to occur at certain ages.

Emerging adulthood

A developmental stage typically between the ages of 18 and 25, where individuals are transitioning from adolescence to adulthood. This period is marked by exploration, instability, and self-focus, as young people establish their identities and independence.