Untitled Flashcards Set

Who believed that children have innate knowledge of concrete objects and abstractions?

Plato

Who denied the existence of innate knowledge and emphasized knowledge through experience?

Aristotle

What philosopher proposed that infants are blank slates?

John Locke

What opposing view did Jean-Jacques Rousseau present to Locke's ideas?

Rousseau believed newborns possess an innate sense of justice and morality.

Nature vs. nurture debate is exemplified through which two philosophers?

Rousseau vs. Locke

What theory did G. Stanley Hall base his theories of child development on?

Evolutionary theory

Who devised mental tests in the field of child development?

Alfred Binet

What did Freud suggest was the cause of patterns of behavior in adulthood?

Early childhood experiences

Who founded behaviorism?

John B. Watson

What is the term for the development research aimed at promoting healthy development?

Applied developmental science

Define child development theory.

An organized set of ideas that explains and predicts development.

What perspective states that development is rooted in biology?

Biological perspective

Which theory reflects a specific plan within the body for child development?

Maturational theory by Arnold Gesell

What does the ethological theory emphasize in child development?

Behaviors that are adaptive and have survival value.

Define critical period in development.

A specific time when a certain type of learning can occur.

What is imprinting in the context of ethological theory?

An emotional bond formed at a critical period.

What are the three components of Freud's psychodynamic theory?

Id, Ego, and Superego.

What challenge does Erikson identify for adolescents?

Developing a sense of identity.

What stage of Erikson's psychosocial theory occurs from birth to 1 year?

Trust vs. Mistrust.

What learning perspective suggests children learn through observation?

Social cognitive theory by Albert Bandura.

What does Bandura mean by self-efficacy?

Beliefs about one's own abilities.

What are the four stages of Piaget's cognitive development?

Sensorimotor, Preoperational, Concrete Operational, Formal Operational.

What does the contextual perspective emphasize?

The child's development within cultural context.

Which model describes the interaction of multiple environmental systems?

Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory.

What term describes the idea that development can follow different paths?

Continuity and Discontinuity.

How do shared and nonshared environmental effects differ?

Shared effects are experiences common among siblings, while nonshared are unique to the individual.

What is the purpose of systematic observation in research?

To observe and record children's behaviors.

What is observer bias?

When researchers primarily notice behaviors that confirm their hypotheses.

What are physiological measures in developmental research?

Measures such as heart rate or cortisol levels.

Define heritability in behavioral genetics.

The extent to which differences in traits are due to genetics.

What is epigenesis?

The interplay between genes and environmental factors affecting development.

What is a teratogen?

An agent that can cause abnormal prenatal development.

What are the three prenatal development stages?

Germinal, Embryonic, and Fetal.

Define the role of the placenta during prenatal development.

To supply oxygen and nutrients while filtering waste.

What is the purpose of the APGAR test?

To assess the health of newborns based on five vital signs.

What is meant by cephalocaudal growth?

Growth that occurs from head to tail.

What is the significance of fine motor skills in infancy?

They are crucial for manipulating objects and coordination.

What are primary sex characteristics?

Reproductive organs directly involved in reproduction.

Define malnutrition in the context of childhood.

Inadequate nutrition leading to being below the expected growth for age.

What is the auditory threshold?

The quietest sound a person can hear.

What do newborns use to perceive depth?

Several cues, including motion and visual expansion.

What is meant by 'experience-expectant growth'?

Brain growth influenced by universal environmental experiences.

Define genetic disorders caused by missing or extra chromosomes.

Conditions like Turner’s syndrome and Down syndrome.

What are the two types of growth trends mentioned?

Cephalocaudal and Proximodistal.

What is the relationship between genes and the environment in development?

Genes influence the environment children experience, and vice versa.

What does the term 'niche-picking' refer to?

Actively seeking environments that fit one's genetic predispositions.

Explain what synaptic pruning entails.

The gradual loss of unused synapses to improve brain efficiency.

What does 'motor development' include?

The progression of physical skills and coordination in children.

Which neurotransmitter is primarily involved in reward processing in the brain?

Dopamine.

What is the key focus of behavioral genetics?

To assess how heredity influences behavior.

Which developmental theory emphasizes connections between different developmental domains?

Piaget’s developmental theory.

What does 'amodal information' refer to?

Information that can be experienced through multiple senses.

What are the risks associated with prenatal stress?

Can lead to lower birth weight, premature birth, and later behavior issues.

Define 'fine motor skills' and give examples.

Skills involving small movements, such as grasping and manipulating objects.

What type of studies provide geneticists with clues about heredity's influence?

Twin and adoption studies.

What is the disadvantage associated with longitudinal studies?

They may face issues like selective attrition and practice effects.

What does the term 'critical period' signify in developmental psychology?

A time frame when specific skills or behaviors must be developed.

What are the potential impacts of maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy?

Can lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

Explain the significance of maternal nutrition during pregnancy.

It is vital for fetal health and development.