Physical Development

AP PSYCH

zygote (0-2 weeks)

fewer than ½ survive the first 1-2 weeks

embryo (2-8 weeks)

by 4 weeks: developed a beating heart, brain, and intestinal tract

by 8 weeks: 1 inch long and has arms and a distinct face

fetus (8 weeks - birth)

around 4 months: movement is strong enough to be detected by mom

around 6 months: eyelids open and has a well developed grasp and taste buds

teratogens

are environmental agents that can cause harm or birth defects to a developing embryo or fetus

-like drugs, chemicals, or viruses

maternal illnesses

some can cross the placental barrier and interfere with fetal development

-1st trimester exposure tends to make the most severe effects

rubella

deafness, blindness, heart defects

-a maternal illness

HIV

transmissible during pregnancy or birth

-a maternal illness

syphilis

still birth, organ damage

-a maternal illness

zika virus

linked to microcephally in newborns

fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)

brain damage and physical growth caused by alcohol exposure in the utero

-severity in symptoms varies

-common effects: learning disabilities, behavioral issues, physical defects

-no amount of alcohol is good

genetic mutations

is any change/error in chromosonal structure or number that occurs in cell division

-can affect how the brain and the body develop with consequences that widely range in severity

down syndrome (trisomy 21)

caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21

-genetic mutation

-cognitive: intellectual disability, learning differences, speech and language delay

physical: facial features, low muscle tone, increased risk of heart and health conditions

PKU

the body can’t break down phenylalanine (an amino acid in protein)

-without treatment, buildup causes serious developmental harm

-genetic mutation

cognitive: intellectual disability, brain damage developmental delays (if not treated)

physical: seizures, skin and hair pigmentation changes, behavioral changes

reflexes

are unlearned, involuntary responses that occur automatically in the presence of certain stimulus

-presence of these at birth indicate normal neurological development

-last after first few months and replaced by more complex behaviors

the rooting reflex

is triggered by the touch of the cheek, automatically open mouth and turn to the source of touch

-finding food and consuming it before conscious awareness

the sucking reflex

after something is placed in mouth, immediately involuntary

-finding food and consuming it before conscious awareness

the babinski reflex

by touching edge or middle of baby foot with toes fanning outward

-indicates that the CNS is developing normally

-disappears by 2

the startle reflex, or moro reflex

is triggered by a sudden noise or movement, throwing arms and legs outward and pulling back in

-survival instinct

maturation

sequence of genetically programmed processes of growth and development that unfolds overtime

-relatively influenced by experience

-sequence is universal, timing is individual

gross motor development

involves large muscle movements and whole-body coordination

ex: rolling, crawling, running, jumping

fine motor development

involves small, precise muscle movements requiring coordination and control

ex: grasping, pinching, drawing, writing

critical period

a specific window where exposure to certain stimuli or experiences is required for normal development

-if window if missed, the developmental opportunity is lost or severely limited

sensitive period

a window where development is most easily shaped by experience

-missing doesn’t permanently foreclose development, just makes it significantly harder

imprinting

a form of attachment that occurs in certain animals during a critical period shortly after birth

-the organisms bond to the first moving stimulus it encounters

adolescence

is the transitional stage of development between childhood and adulthood

-marked by significant physical, cognitive, and social changes

physical changes of adolescence

rapid body growth, hormonal changes, onset of puberty and sexual maturation

cognitive changes of adolescence

development of abstract reasoning, moral thinking, and identity formation

puberty

is the period of development when people reach sexual maturity and become physically capable of reproduction

-driven by hormonal changes

menarche

1st menstrual period in females

-usually between 11-14

supermarche

1st ejaculation in males

-usually between 11-13

early adulthood (20s and 30s)

most capable with strength, speed reaction time and fertility, maximum physical functioning

middle adulthood(40s to 65)

gradual decline begins, metabolism slows, eyes and hearing start to change, muscle mass and bone density decrease, fertility decreases

late adulthood (65 and older)

more pronounced decline, reaction time slows more noticably, more vulnerable to illness and injury, recovery takes longer

menopause

marks the end of reproductive capacity in females

-typically between 45-55

-driven by decrease estrogen levels

-symptoms: hot flashes, mood changes, sleep disruption, cognitive changes, bone density loss, irregular periods

sex

biological classification of male or female based on chromosomes, hormones, and reproductive anatomy

-determined at conception

gender

the physiological and social dimension of being male or female

-includes the behaviors, attitudes, and traits that society associates with being a man or a woman

gender identity

s

gender role

a set of behaviors, attitudes, and traits that a society considers appropriate for males and females

-learned through socialization, reinforced by culture

role

is a s

sexual orientation

a person’s enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and sexual attraction towards others

-stable dimension of human development, not a choice or phase

-biological: genetic, hormonal, and neurological factors have been identified as contributors

-research consensus: major psychological and medical organizations classify sexual orientation as a natural variation of human development

social script

process where kids acquire the attitudes, behaviors, and traits considered appropriate for their gender

-begins in early childhood and is reinforced through family, media, and peers

androgyny

the possession of traditional feminine and masculine traits

-these people tend to be more psychologically flexible and adaptable