adams child development

What is differential susceptibility?

A child’s ability to be more affected by both positive and negative environments, depending on their temperament or biological characteristics.

Science of human development definition

The scientific study of how and why people change or stay the same physically, cognitively, and socially throughout their lives.

Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological systems approach — Microsystem

The child’s immediate environment and the people they interact with directly, such as parents, siblings, teachers, and friends.

Cohort

A group of people born around the same time who experience similar historical and cultural events.

Social construction examples

Ideas or categories created by society that are shaped by cultural beliefs and social expectations, such as gender roles, beauty standards, and the meaning of success.

Correlation vs causation

Correlation is when two variables are related or change together, but one does not necessarily cause the other. While causation is when one event or variable directly causes a change in another.

Nature vs. Nurture — Nature

Human development is primarily influenced by genetics, heredity, and biological factors passed down from parents.

Nature vs. Nurture — Nurture

Human development is primarily influenced by environmental factors, such as parenting, education, culture, and life experiences.

What is plasticity in human development?

The ability to change and adapt throughout life in response to experiences, learning, and environmental influences.

What two complementary aspects of development does plasticity involve?

Potential for growth and potential for decline. People can improve their abilities through learning and experience, but they can also lose abilities due to aging, injury, or other factors.

What are the 3 grand theories of development?

Psychoanalytic theory, behaviorism, and cognitive theory.

Psychoanalytic theory

Development is influenced by unconscious thoughts, emotions, and early childhood experiences.

Behaviorism Theory

Development occurs through learning, conditioning, rewards, and punishments.

Cognitive theory

Development involves changes in thinking, reasoning, and understanding.

Classical Conditioning vs. Operant Conditioning

Classical conditioning involves learning by associating two stimuli, while operant conditioning involves learning through consequences, such as rewards and punishments.

What are some possible negative impacts of using punishments and rewards with children?

Children may become motivated by rewards rather than internal values, develop fear or resentment from punishment, and focus on avoiding consequences instead of understanding why their behavior matters.

Freud’s Psychosexual Stages of Development (Freud proposed five psychosexual stages in which pleasure and conflict center on different parts of the body as a child develops.)

Oral, Anal, Phallic, Latency, Genital.

Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) — Definition

The range of tasks a child cannot do independently yet but can accomplish with guidance or help from a more knowledgeable person.

Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development — Correct Example

A child struggles to solve a math problem alone but succeeds when a teacher provides hints and guidance.

Evolutionary Theory — Why Are People Afraid of Snakes?

Humans may have evolved an increased sensitivity to snakes because recognizing potential threats helped our ancestors survive and reproduce.

What premise is Erikson’s psychosocial theory based on?

People develop through eight stages throughout life, each involving a psychosocial crisis or conflict that influences personality and development.

Eclectic perspective- what does this mean? Is it preferred by developmentalists?

The eclectic perspective combines ideas from multiple theories to explain human development. Yes, it is preferred by many developmentalists because no single theory fully explains every aspect of development.

According to Piaget’s cognitive theory, to understand humans of any age, what do you need to know?

You need to understand how they think and how they organize and interpret information about the world. Cognitive development changes how people understand and learn from their experiences.

How could Piaget’s cognitive theory be used for something like potty training?

Parents should consider the child's developmental stage and ability to understand body signals, follow instructions, and recognize when they need to use the toilet. Potty training should match the child's cognitive readiness.

Social Learning Theory — Definition

The theory that people learn behaviors by observing and imitating others, as well as by watching the consequences of their actions.

How could social learning theory help change a child's aggressive behavior?

The theory that people learn behaviors by observing and imitating others, as well as by watching the consequences of their actions.

What is the relationship between gametes and a zygote?

Gametes are reproductive cells (sperm and egg). When a sperm and egg unite during fertilization, they form a zygote, the first cell of a new organism.

How many pairs of chromosomes do humans have?

Humans typically have 23 pairs of chromosomes, for a total of 46 chromosomes.

What are stem cells?

Stem cells are unspecialized cells that can make more copies of themselves and develop into different types of specialized cells, such as muscle cells, nerve cells, or blood cells.

Monozygotic Twins vs. Dizygotic Twins — How They Develop

Monozygotic twins develop when one fertilized egg splits into two embryos, while dizygotic twins develop when two separate eggs are fertilized by two different sperm.

Genotype vs. Phenotype — Definitions

Genotype: The genes you carry. Phenotype: The traits you can observe, such as eye color, height, or hair texture.

What is Trisomy 21?

Trisomy 21 is a genetic condition, also known as Down syndrome, in which a person has an extra copy of chromosome 21, resulting in three copies instead of the usual two.

Epigenetics — Definition

Epigenetics is the study of how environmental and lifestyle factors can influence whether genes are turned on or off without changing the underlying DNA sequence.

What lifestyle factors can influence epigenetic changes?

Factors such as nutrition, physical activity, stress, sleep, smoking, alcohol use, and exposure to environmental toxins can influence epigenetic changes.

Germinal, Embryonic, and Fetal Periods

The germinal period lasts through week 2, the embryonic period lasts through week 8, and the fetal period begins at week 9 and continues until birth.

When is the age of viability for a fetus?

Around 22–24 weeks of pregnancy, when a fetus may survive outside the uterus with intensive medical care.

Teratogen — Definition

A substance or environmental factor that can harm a developing embryo or fetus and cause birth defects or developmental problems.

Trimesters — What are they?

Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters: the first trimester (weeks 1–12), the second trimester (weeks 13–27), and the third trimester (weeks 28–birth).

Proximodistal Development

Development progresses from the center of the body outward toward the hands and feet.

Cephalocaudal Development

Development progresses from the head downward toward the feet.

Easiest Birthing Position for a Woman

An upright or squatting position can help use gravity to assist the baby's descent and may widen the pelvic outlet, although the easiest position varies by person and situation.

What are some disadvantages of a C-section?

A C-section is major surgery that can involve longer recovery, increased risk of infection and blood clots, and potential complications in future pregnancies.

What is postpartum depression?

Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that can develop after childbirth, causing persistent sadness, anxiety, hopelessness, exhaustion, or difficulty bonding with the baby.