Stages of Development

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to the stages of development as discussed in the lecture notes.

Prenatal Development

The process of growth and development of a baby during the nine months of pregnancy, divided into three stages: germinal, embryonic, and fetal.

Germinal Stage

The first stage of prenatal development, lasting from conception to two weeks, where the zygote forms and begins to divide.

Embryonic Stage

The second stage of prenatal development, lasting from two to eight weeks, where the embryo implants in the uterus and major organs begin to develop.

Fetal Stage

The final stage of prenatal development, from nine weeks to birth, where the fetus grows significantly and develops recognizable human features.

Zygote

A fertilized egg that forms when a sperm cell unites with an egg cell during conception.

Mitosis

The process of cell division that allows a zygote to multiply and develop into a multi-cellular organism.

Prenatal Care

Medical care during pregnancy to monitor the health of both the pregnant person and the fetus, which can reduce pregnancy complications.

Teratogen

Any environmental agent that can cause damage to the developing embryo or fetus.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)

A collection of birth defects associated with heavy alcohol consumption during pregnancy, affecting physical and cognitive development.

Cognitive Development

The progression of learning and understanding through thoughts, experiences, and the senses, especially significant in early childhood.

Attachment Theory

A psychological model describing the dynamics of long-term interpersonal relationships, particularly the bond between infants and their caregivers.

Self-Concept

An individual's perception of themselves, which develops in childhood as they begin to recognize their own identity and traits.

Blooming and Pruning

The processes during early development where neurons form rapid connections (blooming) followed by a reduction of those connections (pruning) as the brain matures.

Erikson's Stages of Development

A psychosocial development theory that outlines eight stages through which a healthy developing human should pass from infancy to adulthood.

Emerging Adulthood

A stage of development from 18 years old to mid-20s characterized by exploration in love, work, and worldviews.

Fluid Intelligence

The ability to think logically and solve problems in novel situations, independent of acquired knowledge.

Crystallized Intelligence

The ability to use learned knowledge and experience.

Socioemotional Selectivity Theory

A theory suggesting that as people age, they prioritize meaningful social interactions over a larger quantity of social relationships.