AP PSYCH UNIT 3A DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

Developmental Psychology

The study of physical, cognitive, and social change throughout life.

Three Major Issues in Developmental Psychology

Nature vs. Nurture, Continuity vs. Stages, Stability vs. Change.

Cross-Sectional Study

Studies people of different ages at the same time. Quick but may have generational differences.

Longitudinal Study

Studies the same people over a long period. More reliable but time-consuming.

Zygote

0-2 weeks; fertilized egg, rapid cell division, attaches to uterine wall.

Embryo

2-9 weeks; heart begins beating, basic organs form, neural tube develops.

Fetus

9 weeks-birth; responsive to sound, organ maturation, fetal movement.

Teratogens

Harmful substances like drugs, alcohol, or viruses that can cause birth defects.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

Caused by alcohol during pregnancy; leads to facial deformities, cognitive impairments.

Rooting Reflex

A baby turns its head toward a touch to find food.

rasping Reflex

Babinski Reflex

Toes fan out when the sole of the foot is stroked.

Moro Reflex

A startled infant flings their arms outward and then retracts them.

Stepping Reflex

Infant makes stepping motions when feet touch a surface.

Object Permanence

Understanding that objects exist even when not seen (develops in sensorimotor stage).

Egocentrism

Inability to see from another person's perspective (preoperational stage).

Conservation

Understanding that quantity remains the same despite changes in shape (develops in concrete operational stage).

Abstract Thinking

Ability to think about hypothetical situations (develops in formal operational stage).

Secure Attachment

Child is upset when caregiver leaves but comforted when they return.

Insecure Avoidant Attachment

Child avoids caregiver and doesn’t seek comfort when they return.

Insecure Ambivalent Attachment

Child is clingy and upset but not comforted by caregiver’s return.

Attachment Bond

The emotional tie between an infant and a caregiver.

Imprinting

Process by which certain animals form strong attachments during early life.

Attachment Theory

Developed by John Bowlby; early bonds with caregivers shape future relationships.

Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE)

Stressful or traumatic experiences in childhood that can negatively impact health and development.

Authoritarian Parenting

Strict rules, high expectations, low warmth. Leads to less social competence.

Permissive Parenting

Few rules, low expectations, high warmth. Leads to impulsive behavior.

Authoritative Parenting

High expectations with warmth. Leads to self-reliance and high self-esteem.

Neglectful Parenting

Uninvolved, indifferent. Leads to poor social outcomes.

Personal Fable

Belief that one is unique and invincible.

Imaginary Audience

Belief that others are constantly watching and judging.

Menarche

A female's first menstrual period.

Spermarche

A male’s first ejaculation.

Menopause

The natural cessation of menstruation and fertility in women.

Schema

A mental framework that helps organize and interpret information.

Assimilation

Interpreting new experiences in terms of existing schemas.

Accommodation

Adapting current schemas to incorporate new information.

Theory of Mind

The ability to understand that other people have thoughts, feelings, and perspectives different from one's own.

Phonemes

The smallest units of sound in a language (e.g., "ba," "da").

Morphemes

The smallest units of meaning in a language (e.g., "un-" or "-ed").

Language Development

The stages of learning language: cooing, babbling, one-word stage, two-word (telegraphic) speech.

Cooing

Early vowel sounds made by infants (e.g., "ooo," "ahh").

Babbling

Infants spontaneously produce a variety of sounds, including phonemes from all languages.

One-Word Stage

Around 1 year old, children use single words to communicate (e.g., "milk").

Telegraphic Speech (Two-Word Stage)

Around age 2, toddlers use two-word combinations (e.g., "want cookie").

Overgeneralization

Applying grammar rules incorrectly (e.g., "I goed to the store" instead of "I went").

Microsystem

The immediate environment in which a child lives (family, school, peers).

Mesosystem

Interactions between microsystems (e.g., a child's parents talking to their teacher).

Exosystem

Indirect environments affecting development (e.g., parent's workplace stress affecting a child).

Macrosystem

Cultural and societal influences on development (e.g., laws, customs).

Chronosystem

Changes over time that affect development (e.g., historical events, personal milestones).

Trust vs. Mistrust (0-1 year)

If needs are met, infants develop trust.

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (1-3 years)

Toddlers develop independence or doubt themselves.

Initiative vs.

uilt (3-6 years)

Industry vs. Inferiority (6-12 years)

Kids develop competence or feel inferior to peers.

Identity vs. Role Confusion (12-18 years)

Teens explore a sense of self or feel lost.

Intimacy vs. Isolation (18-40 years)

Young adults form relationships or feel lonely.

enerativity vs. Stagnation (40-65 years)

Integrity vs. Despair (65+ years)

Reflecting on life leads to satisfaction or regret.

Preconventional Morality (0-9 years)

Morality based on rewards and punishments.

Conventional Morality (9-adulthood)

Morality based on social approval and laws.

Postconventional Morality (adulthood, if at all)

Morality based on personal ethics and justice.

Harlow’s Monkey Experiment

Showed that comfort is more important than food in attachment.

Ainsworth’s Strange Situation Experiment

Identified secure, avoidant, and ambivalent attachment styles.

Piaget's Sensorimotor Stage (0-2 years)

Experiencing the world through senses, object permanence develops.

Piaget's Preoperational Stage (2-7 years)

Symbolic thinking, egocentrism, lack of conservation.

Piaget's Concrete Operational Stage (7-11 years)

Logical thinking, understanding conservation.

Piaget's Formal Operational Stage (12+ years)

Abstract thinking, moral reasoning.

Critical Period

An optimal time for learning specific skills, such as language.

Frontal Lobe Development in Adolescence

Last part of the brain to mature; affects decision-making and impulse control.

Synaptic Pruning

The brain eliminates unused neural connections to increase efficiency.

Neurogenesis

The formation of new neurons in the brain.

Carol

illigan’s Criticism of Kohlberg

Pretend Play

Using imagination to act out different roles and scenarios.

Parallel Play

Children play alongside each other but do not interact directly.