Unit 3 - Developmental Psychology Terms

Critical Period (Theory)

The *Theory* that there is a certain *Window of Time* for development of certain things. Missing that window means *Missing Development Entirely*.

Maturation

Development that simply *Unfolds Naturally* over time. Changes that you go through as you age.

(Theory of) Continuity

The developmental *Theory* which proposes that development is *Continuous*, *Gradual*, and *Almost Imperceptible*.

(Theory of) Discontinuity

The developmental *Theory* which proposes that development is *Stage-Like*, and changes are more *Drastic* and *Abrupt*.

Zygotic (Stage)

The *First* stage of *Pregnancy* which spans *0 - 2 Weeks Old* and is characterized by *Massive Cell Division*.

Embryonic (Stage)

The *Second* stage of *Pregnancy* which spans *Weeks 2 - 8* and is characterized by the start of *Cell Specialization* and *Organ Development*.

Fetal (Stage)

The *Third* stage of *Pregnancy* which spans *Weeks 9 - Birth* and is characterized by the *Full Organ Development*

Teratogen(s)

Any agent that can harm an embryo or fetus.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

A phenomenon caused by consuming *Alcohol* while *Pregnant* which can cause *Intellectual Disability*, *Impulsivity*, and *Hyperactivity*.

Rooting (Reflex)

when you touch an infant's cheek, he will turn his head toward whatever is touching the cheek

Sucking (Reflex)

An *Innate Reflex* all babies are born with which causes them to *Suck* on *Everything*.

Grasping (Reflex)

An *Innate Reflex* all babies are born with which causes them to *Grasp* at anything put in their *Palm*.

Moro/Startle (Reflex)

An *Innate Reflex* all babies are born with which causes them to *Spread* their arms and digits out, then *Tuck* inward.

Babinski (Reflex)

An *Innate Reflex* all babies are born with which causes them to *Cling* to things with their *Feet* as an evolutionary advantage.

Stepping (Reflex)

An *Innate Reflex* all babies are born with which causes them to *Step/Walk* when *Suspended Upright* just over a *Surface*.

Habituation

Infants as young as *1 Hour* seem to have some level of ___________________ in their brains as they will tend to stare at *Three Dots* in the pattern of a *Face* rather than three random dots.

Imitation

The process by which babies tend to *Mimic* faces presented to them, possibly because of *Mirror Neurons*.

Imprinting

The process of forming an *Immediate Attachment* to someone/something after *Birth*.

(Harry) Harlow

The psychologist who coined the term *Contact Comfort* after testing whether a *Newborn Monkey*, separated from its mother, would prefer a *Cloth* Mannequin, or a *Wire* one with *Food*.

Contact Comfort

The *Comfort* and *Newborns* feel after receiving *Physiologically Necessary Touch* from their mother.

Cohort

A *Group of People* around the *Same Age* who have experienced most of the *Same Historical Changes*.

Cohort Effect

When a *Disparity* between *Cohorts* arises as a result of the *Different Time Periods* in which they grew up.

(Jean) Piaget

The psychologist who proposed that babies' minds were *Not* just *Miniature Adult Minds*, and instead *Reasoned Differently*. He proposed *4 Stages* of *Cognitive Development*.

Sensorimotor (Stage)

The *1st* Stage in *Piaget's* Development Theory that spans *~0 - 2 Years Old* and is when the child *Explores* and *Learns* with their *Senses* and develops *Motor Abilities*. *Object Permanence* is also learned.

Object Permanence

The understanding (usually learned between *4-8 Months Old*) that a *Previously Seen Object Continues to Exist* even when it can *No Longer* be *Observed*.

Preoperational (Stage)

The *2nd* Stage in *Piaget's* Development Theory that spans *~2 - 7 Years Old* and is when the child begins to *Pretend Play* and develop more complex *Social Abilities*. They also gain *Symbolic Thinking*, *Animism*, *Egocentrism*, and *Theory of Mind*.

Animism

The ability (gained in the *Preoperational Stage*) to apply *Feelings* or *Intentions* to *Inanimate Objects*.

Egocentrism

The inability (in the *Preoperational Stage*) for children to take the perspective of another person.

Theory of Mind

The ability (gained *~4 Yrs Old* in the *Preoperational Stage*) to *Empathize* and understand that others have their *Own Thoughts and Feelings*.

Concrete Operational (Stage)

The *3rd* Stage in *Piaget's* Development Theory that spans *~7 - 11 Years Old* and is when the child becomes capable of *Logical Thinking* and understands *Conservation*.

Conservation

The understanding that the *Amount* of something *Doesn't Necessarily Change* with changes in *Appearance* or *Arrangement*.

Formal Operational (Stage)

The *4th* Stage in *Piaget's* Development Theory that spans *~12 Years Onward* and is when the child can think *Abstractly* and *Hypothetically*.

(Lev) Vygotsky

The Russian theorist who argued that *Socialization* was more important than *Maturation* and that children need *Mentors* to develop and *Inner Speech*. Also proposed *Zone of Prox. Dev*.

Zone (of) Proximal Development

The divide between what a child *Knows/Can Do Independently* and what they might have the *Potential To Do* given a supportive environment (Abbreviated *ZPD*).

Sex

The term for whether somebody is *Biologically* Male/Female.

Gender

*Culturally Acquired Behaviors* and *Attributes* associated with one's *Biological Sex*.

Gender Identity

The *Sense* of being *Male* or *Female*.

Gender Role(s)

The *Behaviors* considered *Appropriate* for Males and Females in a given *Social Setting*.

Gender Typing

The process of *Acquiring* traditional *Roles* associated with the *Distinctions* between Males and Females in a *Culture*.

Gender Schema(s)

Mental *Constructs* or *Generalizations* about which toys, activities, and jobs are *Most Associated* with Males and Females.

Androgyny

The presence of *Both* Male and Female *Behaviors* or *Characteristics* in the *Same Person*.

Stranger (Anxiety)

An *Anxiety* towards *Strangers* developed between *6-8 Months Old*.

Separation (Anxiety)

*Anxiety* about being *Separated* from *Primary Caretakers* developed around *8 Months Old*.

(Mary) Ainsworth

A psychologist who developed *Attachment Styles* after studying how children react to their mother *Returning* after leaving them.

Secure (Attachment)

An *Attachment Style* where the child is *Comforted* by the mother and uses her as a *Secure Base* for *Exploration*.

Avoidant (Attachment)

An *Attachment Style* where the child *Avoids Contact* and *Interaction* with the mother.

Ambivalent (Attachment)

An *Attachment Style* where the child seems to *Want* the mother, but also *Pushes Her Away* because they are *Angry* (AKA *Resistant Attachment*).

Disorganized (Attachment)

An *Attachment Style* where the child appears *Confused*, *Disoriented*, and even *Fearful* with the mother. This is correlated with *Abusive Home* environments.

Positively

*Secure Attachment* is _______________(Positively/Negatively) *Correlated* with *Happier* and *Healthier* relationships later in life.

Authoritarian

A *Parenting Style* that is *Strict* and has *Many Rules*.

Authoritative

A *Parenting Style* that is *Warm*, *Responsive*, and *Involved*. There are clear *Behavior Standards* set, but the *Child's Demands* are *Taken Into Account*.

Permissive

Parenting style consisting of very few rules and allowing children to make most decisions and control their own behavior.

Authoritative

This *Parenting Style* is most correlated with *Positive Outcomes* for children

Erik Erikson

A psychologist who proposed an *8 Stage Psychosocial Theory* with each containing a *Crisis* that the person must *Overcome* for *Healthy Development*.

Trust vs Mistrust

The *1st* Stage in *Erikson's Psychosocial Theory* that spans *~0 - 18 Months Old* and is where the child learns what to *Trust* in their environment.

Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt

The *2nd* Stage in *Erikson's Psychosocial Theory* that spans *~18 Months - 3 Yrs* and is a period marked by *Dramatic* physical and cognitive *Gains* and where the child seeks a sense of *Internal Control* and *Independence*, but feels *Shame* at *Losses of Self Control*.

Initiative vs Guilt

The *3rd* Stage in *Erikson's Psychosocial Theory* that spans *~3 - 6 Yrs Old* where *Self Esteem* emerges, *Self Concept* is developed, and the child can now *Set Goals* and *Work Towards Them*. They *Initiate* tasks, and feel *Guilt* (not shame) for *Failures*.

Industry vs Inferiority

The *4th* Stage in *Erikson's Psychosocial Theory* that spans *~6 - 12 Yrs Old* where the child seeks to *Master Cognitive* and *Social Skills*. *Success* makes them feel *Industrious* and *Competent*, while *Failure* leads to feelings of *Inferiority* and *Inadequacy*.

Identity vs Confusion

The *5th* Stage in *Erikson's Psychosocial Theory* that spans *Adolescence* where the teenager seeks to gain an understanding of *Who One Is* and *What Roles* one should play *As an Adult*.

Intimacy vs Isolation

The *6th* Stage in *Erikson's Psychosocial Theory* that spans *Early Adulthood* and is where the Young Adult either successfully establishes *Strong Committed Relationships* or faces some *Isolation*.

Generativity vs Stagnation

The *7th* Stage in *Erikson's Psychosocial Theory* that spans *Middle Adulthood* and is where Adults strive to be *Productive* and leave a *Lasting Legacy*. A *Failure* to be *Generative* could lead to feelings of *Emptiness* and *Purposelessness* and a hatred of younger generations.

Integrity vs Despair

The *8th* Stage in *Erikson's Psychosocial Theory* that spans *Late Adulthood* where Older Adults either feel a sense of *Accomplished Pride* in their lives, or of *Missed Opportunities* and *Sadness*.

Puberty

The point at which people are *Sexually Mature* and can *Reproduce*. Here they *Acquire Primary* and *Secondary* sex characteristics.

Primary (Sex Characteristics)

*Sex Characteristics* that are *Directly Involved* with *Reproduction*.

Secondary (Sex Characteristics)

*Sex Characteristics* that are *NOT Directly Involved* in *Reproduction*.

Imaginary Audience (Belief)

The *Belief* that one is constantly being *Monitored*, watching for *Mistakes* and moments of *Embarassment*. It is especially common in *Adolescence*.

Frontal (Lobes)

Of all the *Lobes*, the ______________ Lobes undergo the *Most Development* during *Adolescence*.

Emerging Adulthood

An *Intermediate Stage* between *Adolescence* and *Adulthood* to account for the *Increase In Time* that kids *Stay With Their Parents* and *Before Marriage*.

Social Clock

*Social Pressure* to do a certain *Task* at a certain *Age* because of *societal expectations*.

Empty Nest Syndrome

The emotional distress *Parents* experience due to the *Last* of their *Children Leaving Home*.

Grief Theory

A set of *Stages* developed by *Elisabeth Kubler-Ross* which covers the process of *Thinking About* and *Dealing With Death*.

Bargaining

The *5 Stages* of *Grief Theory* are *Denial*, *Anger*, ___________________, *Depression*, and *Acceptance*.

(The) Heinz Dilemma

A fictional story used by *Lawrence Kohlberg* to evaluate levels of *Moral Reasoning* in *Children* centered around *Stealing* a drug to *Save a Life*.

(Lawrence) Kohlberg

The psychologist who used the *Heinz Dilemma* to devise a *Stage Theory* about the *Three Levels* of *Moral Reasoning*.

Preconventional (Level)

The *Level* of *Moral Reasoning* in *Kohlberg's Theory* where the focus is *Reward* and *Punishment Responses* are *Self Interested*.

Conventional (Level)

The *Level* of *Moral Reasoning* in *Kohlberg's Theory* where the focus is on *Social Conventions*. Responses center on what *Others* would *Think of Them* and rules *Everyone Agrees to Follow*.

Postconventional (Level)

The *Level* of *Moral Reasoning* in *Kohlberg's Theory* that spans *~13 Yrs Old Onwards* (if ever) where moral decisions are based on *Personal* and *Internal Judgement* of what is *Right and Wrong*.

(Carol) Gillian

The psychologist who *Challenged Kohlberg's Theory* arguing that male and females view moral dilemmas differently.

Assimilation

The process of fitting new information to *Existing Schemas*.

Accomodation

The process of significantly modifying or *Creating* a *New Schema* based on a new experience.