Development

Development

a branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, and social change throughout the life span

Normative Approach

study of development using norms, or average ages, when most children reach specific developmental milestones

Human Development

conception -> Infancy -> Childhood -> Adolescence -> Adulthood -> Death

Zygote

fertilized egg (conception to 2 weeks)

Embryo

the developing human organism from about 2 weeks after fertilization through 8 weeks

Fetus

Ready to be born (9 weeks to birth)

teratogen

any factor that can cause a birth defect ex) viruses, drugs, smoking, stress

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

physical and cognitive abnormalities in children caused by a pregnant woman's heavy drinking. Alcohol depresses activity in the fetus's central nervous system.

Habituation

decreasing responsiveness with repeated stimulation. As infants gain familiarity with repeated exposure to a visual stimulus, their interest wanes and they look away sooner.

Reflexes

automatic responses

infantile amnesia

The commonly experienced inability to recall events from early childhood, around 4 years of age

Fine Motor Skills

use of muscles in fingers, toes, and eyes to coordinate small actions

Gross motor skills

use of large muscle groups to control arms and legs for large body movements

puberty

the period of sexual maturation, during which a person becomes capable of reproducing

selective pruning

unused neuronal connections are lost to make other pathways more efficient

Menopause

the time of natural cessation of menstruation; also refers to the biological changes a woman experiences as her ability to reproduce declines