Developmental Psychology

Prenatal period

from conception to birth

conception

sperm fertilizes the egg

germinal stage

zygote divides, cell mass implants into uterus lining

embryonic stage

neural tube forms, blood begins circulation, becomes human-like

fetal stage

male/female is identifiable, placenta formed, heartbeat starts

full term

fetus ready for birth

pruning

brain cleans up unneeded connections

maturation

the biological growth process

critical period

babies need stimuli exposure for proper development

adolescence

biological, cognitive, and social developments

socialization

boys - achievement and girls - wives/mothers

midlife crisis

adolescence search for identity