Growth and Development

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts, developmental stages, and theories by Piaget and Erikson from the Growth & Development lecture.

Development

The sequence of physical, psychosocial, and cognitive developmental changes that take place over the human lifespan.

Developmental Milestone

An ability or a specific skill that most individuals can accomplish at a certain age range.

Developmentally Delayed

A developmental state defined as being 2.5 standard deviations behind in one or more subcategories of development, representing a change not found in 95% of others of the same chronological age.

Physical/Physiological Development

Growth and changes in tissues and organs that occur bilaterally, symmetrically, and cephalocaudally (head to toe).

Motor Development

Development of physical movement skills, divided into Gross (large muscles) and Fine (small muscles), which usually progresses from gross to fine motor refinement.

Communication Development

Development of speech and language functions involving articulation (pronunciation), voice (sound), and fluency (rhythm).

Adaptive Development

The acquisition of skills required to achieve independence at home and engage in self-care activities.

Assimilation (Piaget)

The cognitive process of taking in new information and fitting it into previously understood mental schemas (mental models).

Accommodation (Piaget)

The cognitive ability to modify existing thinking or schemas as new information is received.

Sensorimotor Stage

Piaget's cognitive stage (Birth – 2/3 yrs) where children use their senses to understand the world, progress to object permanence, and begin to anticipate events.

Preoperational Stage

Piaget's cognitive stage (2/3 yrs – 6/7 yrs) characterized by the beginning use of symbols, language, and pictures to represent the world, with play facilitating learning.

Concrete Operational Stage

Piaget's cognitive stage (6/7 yrs – 11/12 yrs) where children learn by manipulating tangible objects, develop logical thinking and reversibility, and lose egocentricity.

Formal Operational Stage

Piaget's cognitive stage (11/12 yrs – 14/15 yrs) involving abstract thinking, deductive reasoning, evaluating alternatives, and testing beliefs to establish values.

Trust vs. Mistrust

Erikson's psychosocial stage in infants (1 month to 1 year) where relying on caregivers for warmth, food, and comfort builds trust, while inconsistent or unsafe care creates mistrust.

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

Erikson's psychosocial stage in toddlers (1 to 3 years) where encouragement to self-feed, dress, and toilet builds independence, whereas overprotection or high expectations cause doubt and inadequacy.

Initiative vs. Guilt

Erikson's psychosocial stage in preschoolers (4 to 6 years) where children actively explore how and why things work, but restrictions or reprimands result in guilt.

Industry vs. Inferiority

Erikson's psychosocial stage in school-aged children (6–12 years) where completing projects brings pleasure, while peer rejection or unmet parental expectations produce feelings of inferiority.

Identity vs. Role Confusion

Erikson's psychosocial stage in adolescents (13–20 years) focused on forming a personal identity, utilizing formal logic, and navigating significant peer influences.

Intimacy vs. Isolation

Erikson's psychosocial stage in young adults (20–35 years) centered on developing a healthy self-concept, establishing relationships, and forming a family.

Generativity vs. Stagnation

Erikson's psychosocial stage in middle adults (35–65 years) focusing on productivity, creativity, work, and helping guide children into adulthood.

Ego Integrity vs. Despair

Erikson's psychosocial stage in older adults (65 years and older) involving adaptation to physical decline and family structure changes while staying physically and socially active.