Chapter 8 PSYC 1100

Development (psychology)

Systematic changes in physical, cognitive, and socioemotional functioning across the lifespan.

Cross-sectional vs. Longitudinal studies

Cross-sectional compares different ages once; longitudinal studies the same group over time.

Nature vs. Nurture

Nature is biological/genetic inheritance; nurture is environmental and experiential influences.

Resilience

The ability to adapt and thrive despite significant adversity or negative circumstances.

Physical development focus

Changes in biological nature, including genes, brain development, motor skills, and aging.

Prenatal development stages (in order)

Development before birth. Three stages: germinal, embryonic, and fetal.

Teratogens

Agents causing birth defects, such as alcohol, nicotine, drugs, or certain viruses.

Cognitive development focus

Changes in thought, intelligence, language, and memory processes over time.

Piaget's 4 stages of cognitive development (in order)

Sensorimotor (sensory/motor), preoperational (symbolic), concrete operational (logic), formal operational (abstract).

Assimilation vs. Accommodation (Piaget)

Assimilation fits new info into existing schemas; accommodation alters schemas for new info.

Object permanence, Conservation, Egocentrism

Permanence: knowing hidden objects exist. Conservation: volume stays same despite shape. Egocentrism: self-centered viewpoint.

Executive function

Higher-order cognitive processes like goal-directed behavior, self-control, planning, and working memory.

Socioemotional development focus

Changes in social relationships, emotional regulation, personality, and interpersonal skills.

Temperament

An individual's behavioral style and characteristic way of responding emotionally.

Infant attachment

The close emotional bond between an infant and its primary caregiver.

Secure attachment (infants)

Infant uses caregiver as a secure base, is upset when gone, comforted upon return.

Erikson's 8 Stages of Psychosocial Development

Eight lifespan crises from trust vs. mistrust (infancy) to integrity vs. despair (late adulthood).

Baumrind's 4 parenting styles

Authoritative (supportive/limits), authoritarian (restrictive/punitive), neglectful (uninvolved), permissive (highly involved/no limits).

Emerging adulthood

Transitional period from adolescence to adulthood, spanning approximately ages 18 to 25.

Gender

Social and psychological aspects of being female, male, or another gender identity.

Gender identity

An individual's personal, inner sense of their own gender.

Sexual orientation

Direction of an individual's erotic and romantic attraction toward others.

Gender roles

Social expectations for how males and females should think, act, and feel.

Gender similarities hypothesis

Idea that males and females are similar on most psychological variables.

Kohlberg's 3 levels of moral reasoning

Preconventional (rewards/punishments), conventional (social laws/expectations), postconventional (universal ethical principles).

Prosocial behavior

Behavior intended to benefit other people, such as helping, sharing, or volunteering.

Ruth Winifred Howard, Ph.D.

First African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in psychology; studied triplets' development.