AP Psych Unit 3.2 - Vocab Quiz #1

Chronological development

actual amount of time a person has been alive

Lifespan development

growth and change across all stages of life, from conception to death, encompassing physical, cognitive, and psychosocial aspects of development

Stability and Change

stabilization occurs early & persists through life vs. major attributes are potentially changeable throughout life

Nature and nurture

genetic vs. environment

Continuous development

gradual changes over time without distinct phases

Discontinuous development

qualitatively different stages with rapid shifts between them

Teratogens

environmental agents such as drugs, chemicals, viruses or other factors that can produce birth defects

Fine motor coordination

involve the coordination of small muscle groups, such as those in the hands and fingers

Gross motor coordination

involve the coordination of large muscle groups, such as those in the legs and arms

Maturation

biological growth process, uninfluenced by experience

Reflexes

unlearned, involuntary responses that occur automatically in the presence of certain stimuli

Rooting reflex

automatic turn of head when cheek is touched

Visual cliff

shows ability of depth perception in infants and animals

Critical periods

are specific times during development when certain experiences are vital for normal development and can lead to permanent changes in brain function and behavior

Sensitive periods

are also times when experiences have a strong impact on the brain, but missing this timeframe doesn't make it impossible to acquire those skills or traits later

Imprinting

the irreversible formation of a strong attachment to the first moving object an animal encounters after birth

Growth spurt

period of rapid physical growth in height and weight

Puberty

period of sexual maturation, during which a person is capable of reproducing

Primary sex characteristics

body structures that make sexual reproduction possible

Secondary sex characteristics

non-reproductive sexual characteristics

Menarche

first menstrual period

Spermarche

the onset of sperm production in males

Menopause

the time of natural cessation of menstruation and marks the end of their reproductive years

Schemas

a mental framework that helps people understand and interpret new situations based on past experiences

Assimilation

interpret new information in terms of an existing schema

Accommodation

adapt their existing schema to incorporate new information

Sensorimotor stage

experience world with their 5 senses — through looking, hearing, touching, mouthing and grasping

Object permanence

now know that objects and people exist even if they are out of sight

Preoperational stage

children use symbols to represent words, images, and ideas

Mental symbols

language and symbolic thinking

Pretend play

involves children using their imagination to create scenarios, roles, and activities

Conservation

knowledge that quantity can remain the same when shape or other properties change

Reversibility

some things that have been changed can be returned to their original state

Animism

is the belief that inanimate objects are capable of actions and have lifelike qualities

Egocentrism

the inability to differentiate between one's own perspective and that of others

Theory of mind

people’s ideas about their own and other’s mental states (feelings, perceptions, thoughts, etc.) and the behaviors these might predict

Concrete operational stage

they understand the world in logical, realistic, and straightforward ways, but struggle to think systematically

Systematic thinking

a methodical and organized approach to problem-solving, where an individual analyzes information carefully, considers multiple perspectives, and follows a logical sequence of steps to reach a conclusion

Formal operational stage

characterized by abstract thinking, occurs in late childhood into adulthood

Abstract thinking

the cognitive ability to understand and reason about complex concepts that are not directly tied to concrete experiences or physical objects

Hypothetical thinking

the cognitive ability to mentally explore and reason through imaginary situations, considering potential outcomes and consequences without relying solely on concrete facts or current reality

Scaffolding

a framework that offers children temporary support as they develop higher levels of thinking

Zone of proximal development

the gap between what a child can do on their own and what a child can do with support; a level of knowledge possible to obtain through education/assistance

Crystalized intelligence

increases with age

Fluid intelligence

peaks in 20s and then declines with age

Dementia

decline in cognitive abilities, usually in old age