unit 3 Human Development Across the Lifespan ps 1140

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the major physical, cognitive, moral, and psychosocial milestones and theories of human development across the lifespan.

Nature

The influence of our inherited characteristics on our personality, physical growth, intellectual growth, and social interactions.

Nurture

The influence of the environment on personality, physical growth, intellectual growth, and social interactions.

Behavioural Genetics

A field of study that focuses on the interplay of nature versus nurture.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

A special molecule that contains the genetic material of the organism.

Gene

A section of DNA having the same arrangement of chemical elements.

Dominant Gene

A gene that actively controls the expression of a trait.

Recessive Gene

A gene that influences the expression of a trait only when paired with an identical gene.

Chromosome

A rod-like, tightly wound strand of genetic material or DNA; each human cell contains 46 chromosomes (23 from the biological mother and 23 from the biological father).

Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21)

A chromosomal disorder and form of developmental delay caused by an extra chromosome 21.

Conception

The moment at which a female becomes pregnant.

Ovum

The female sex cell, or egg.

Fertilization

The union of the ovum and sperm.

Zygote

The cell resulting from the uniting of the ovum and sperm; it divides into many cells, eventually forming the baby.

Monozygotic Twins

Identical twins formed when one single zygote splits into two separate masses of cells, each of which develops into a separate embryo with the same genetic composition.

Dizygotic Twins

Fraternal twins occurring when two separate eggs are released at once and fertilized by two different sperm, resulting in two zygotes in the uterus at the same time.

Germinal Period

The first two weeks of pregnancy after fertilization, during which the zygote divides via mitosis, moves down to the uterus, and begins to implant in the uterine wall.

Placenta

A specialized organ that provides nourishment and filters away the developing baby's waste products.

Umbilical Cord

The structure connecting the developing organism to the placenta.

Stem Cells

Specialized cells that stay in a somewhat immature state until needed to produce more cells.

Embryonic Period

The period lasting from two to eight weeks after fertilization, during which the major organs and structures of the organism develop and the heart begins to beat.

Embryo

The name for the developing organism from two weeks to eight weeks after fertilization.

Critical Periods

Times during development in which certain environmental influences can have a profound impact on the development of the infant.

Teratogen

Any factor or environmental agent (such as alcohol, drugs, or viruses) that can cause a birth defect.

Fetal Period

The time of prenatal development extending from about eight weeks after conception until the birth of the child, characterized by organ functioning and rapid growth.

Fetus

The name for the developing organism from eight weeks after fertilization until the birth of the baby.

Infant Reflexes

Innate, involuntary physical responses present at birth (such as sucking, rooting, Moro startle, grasping, and stepping) used to assess the health of an infant's nervous system.

Cognitive Development

The development of thinking, problem solving, and memory across the lifespan.

Schemas

Mental concepts formed by children as they experience new situations and events.

Assimilation

The cognitive process of understanding new things and experiences in terms of schemas a child already possesses.

Accommodation

The cognitive process of altering or adjusting old schemas to fit new information and experiences.

Sensorimotor Stage

Piaget's first stage of cognitive development (birth to 2 years) in which the infant uses senses and motor abilities to interact with objects in the environment.

Object Permanence

The knowledge that an object exists even when it is out of sight.

Preoperational Stage

Piaget's second stage of cognitive development (ages 2 to 7) in which the preschool child learns to use language as a means of exploring the world, but cannot yet logically reason or conserve.

Egocentrism

The inability of a child to see the world through anyone else's eyes or perspective.

Centration

In Piaget's theory, the tendency of a young child to focus only on one feature of an object while ignoring other relevant features.

Conservation

In Piaget's theory, the ability to understand that simply changing the appearance of an object does not change the object's fundamental nature or quantity.

Irreversibility

In Piaget's theory, the inability of a young child to mentally reverse an action.

Concrete Operations Stage

Piaget's third stage of cognitive development (ages 7 to 12) in which the child becomes capable of logical thought processes and conservation, but remains limited to concrete concepts.

Formal Operations Stage

Piaget's fourth stage of cognitive development (ages 12 to adulthood) in which adolescents become capable of abstract thought, logical possibilities, and systematic hypothesis testing.

Scaffolding

The process in which a more skilled learner provides assistance to a less skilled learner, reducing the amount of help as the learner becomes more capable.

Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)

Vygotsky's concept describing the difference between what a child can do alone versus what that child can do with the help of a teacher or skilled peer.

Language Acquisition Device (LAD)

An innate biological program that contains a schema for human language and governs language learning during infancy and early childhood.

Temperament

The behavioural characteristics that are fairly well established at birth, typically classified as easy, difficult, or slow to warm up.

Attachment

The emotional bond formed between an infant and their primary caregiver, categorized into secure, avoidant, ambivalent, or disorganized-disoriented styles.

Contact Comfort

The comforting tactile sensations provided by a caregiver, identified by Harry Harlow's rhesus monkey studies as the primary foundation of attachment rather than food provision.

Trust Versus Mistrust

Erikson's first psychosocial stage (birth to 1 year) in which infants learn to trust or mistrust others based on whether their physical and emotional needs are reliably met.

Autonomy Versus Shame and Doubt

Erikson's second psychosocial stage (ages 1 to 3) in which toddlers strive for independence in directing their own behaviour.

Initiative Versus Guilt

Erikson's third psychosocial stage (ages 3 to 5) in which preschool children are challenged to take responsibility and exercise control over their own behaviour.

Industry Versus Inferiority

Erikson's fourth psychosocial stage (ages 5 to 12) in which children develop feelings of competence and self-esteem by learning new skills and acquiring knowledge.

Identity Versus Role Confusion

Erikson's fifth psychosocial stage (ages 13 to early twenties) in which adolescents must define a consistent sense of self, personal values, and life goals.

Intimacy Versus Isolation

Erikson's sixth psychosocial stage (twenties and thirties) in which young adults face the task of sharing who they are in a close, committed relationship.

Generativity Versus Stagnation

Erikson's seventh psychosocial stage (forties and fifties) in which middle-aged adults focus on being creative, productive, and nurturing toward the next generation.

Ego Integrity Versus Despair

Erikson's eighth psychosocial stage (sixties and beyond) in which elderly adults reflect on life to achieve wisdom and wholeness rather than feeling regret.

Personal Fable

A form of adolescent egocentric thinking in which young people believe they are entirely unique and protected from potential harm.

Imaginary Audience

A form of adolescent egocentric thinking in which individuals believe everyone else is watching and intensely concerned with their thoughts and actions.

Preconventional Morality

Kohlberg's first level of moral reasoning, in which right and wrong are judged entirely by the external consequences (punishment or reward) of the behavior.

Conventional Morality

Kohlberg's second level of moral reasoning, in which moral decisions are determined by conforming to societal rules, expectations, and laws.

Postconventional Morality

Kohlberg's highest level of moral reasoning, in which decisions are guided by self-chosen ethical principles and universal human rights that may supersede social laws.

Emerging Adulthood

The developmental transition period between ages 18 and 25, marked by identity exploration, instability, and increasing independence before settling into full adulthood.

Authoritarian Parenting

A rigid, overly strict parenting style characterized by high demands, strict obedience, and very little warmth or communication.

Permissive Parenting

A parenting style characterized by making few demands or limits on a child's behaviour, divided into permissive-indulgent (warm but boundary-free) and permissive-neglectful (uninvolved).

Authoritative Parenting

A balanced parenting style that combines emotional warmth and responsiveness with firm, consistent limits and open communication.

Menopause

The cessation of ovulation and menstrual cycles marking the end of a woman's reproductive capacity, occurring around age 50.

Andropause

The gradual changes and decline in sexual hormones and the reproductive system observed in aging males.

Fluid Intelligence

The capacity to think abstractly, reason quickly, and process new or complex information, which naturally declines in later adulthood.

Crystallized Intelligence

The accumulated knowledge and verbal skills gained through education, learning, and life experience, which typically remains stable or increases with age.

Socio-Emotional Selectivity Theory

The theory suggesting that as older adults recognize that their remaining lifetime is limited, they intentionally focus their energy on close, emotionally rewarding relationships.

Activity Theory

A theory of aging proposing that older individuals adapt and experience higher life satisfaction when they remain socially engaged, active, and involved.

Cellular Clock Theory

A biological theory of aging stating that human cells can divide only a fixed number of times, after which cellular damage accumulates and leads to physical decline.

Wear-and-Tear Theory

A biological theory of aging stating that mechanical stress, physical use, and environmental damage gradually impair the body's tissues past the point of effective repair.

Free Radical Theory

A biological theory of aging positing that unstable oxygen molecules (free radicals) bounce around inside cells and damage DNA and other vital cellular structures.

Kübler-Ross's Five Stages of Grief

The theoretical sequence of emotional reactions individuals go through when coping with impending death or major loss: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance.