Psychological Development

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and definitions related to psychological development, focusing on theories of development, stages of childhood, and concepts of temperament and attachment.

Infancy

The initial stage of development that occurs from birth to the age of two.

Charles Darwin's theory of evolution

A theory that emphasizes the biological basis of human development, leading theorists to focus on heredity.

Heredity

The genetic transmission of traits from parents to their offspring.

Behaviorists

Psychologists who argue that human nature is malleable and is shaped by early training and environment.

Cognitive development

The progression of thinking, reasoning, and understanding in children as they grow.

Piaget's stages of cognitive development

A theory that describes the stages children go through in learning, including sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational stages.

Object permanence

The understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen; a milestone of cognitive development.

Temperament

The innate aspects of an individual's personality, including emotional reactivity and self-regulation affecting behavior.

Attachment

The emotional bond between an infant and their caregiver, which influences the child's sense of security.

Secure attachment

A type of attachment where children feel confident that their caregiver will respond to their needs and feel comfortable exploring their environment.

Identity vs. role confusion

Erikson's stage of psychosocial development during adolescence where teens explore their personal identity.

Self-esteem

The value-laden sense of self that evolves through childhood and adolescence, influenced by social comparisons.

Sex typing

The acquisition of behaviors and characteristics that a culture considers appropriate for one's sex.

Puberty

The period of sexual maturation that transforms a child into a biologically mature adult.

Identity diffusion

A state in which individuals lack a coherent sense of self and do not actively explore their identity.