3.1 & 3.2a - Themes and Methods in Developmental Psychology & Physical Development Across the Lifespan: Prenatal Development, Infancy, and Childhood

developmental psychology

branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development throughout the lifespan

Emphasize experience/learning =

Emphasize biological maturation =

continuous development

development in clear stages

Nature and nurture?…

genetics and environment/experiences interact together to shape development

!!!Babies prefer sights and sounds that facilitate social responsiveness!!!

Malnourishment, maternal illness, and genetic mutations can lead to

health problems and psychiatric disorders

synaptic pruning

shut down unused synaptic links; use it or lose it

_{^{ex) forget random fact/unused knowledge}}

Fine vs. gross motor skills

Fine: small muscles

Gross: large muscles, whole body movement

teratogens

agents (chemicals, viruses) that can reach the embryo or fetus during prenatal development and cause harm

fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)

physical and cognitive function deficits in children caused by their birth mother’s heavy drinking during pregnancy. _{^{In severe cases, symptoms include a small, out-of-proportion head and distinct facial features}}

habituation

decreasing responsiveness with repeated stimulation. As infants gain familiarity with repeated exposure to a stimulus, their interest wanes and they look away sooner

maturation

biological growth processes that enable orderly changes in behavior, relatively uninfluenced by experience

critical period

an optimal period early in the life of an organism when exposure to certain stimuli or experiences produces normal development