Study Guide for Test 2 Ch.6-9

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from Chapters 6 to 9 on cognitive, physical and socioemotional development throughout childhood and adolescence.

Concrete Operational Stage

Age 7-11, where egocentrism decreases and children realize appearances can be deceiving.

Mental operations

Actions that can be performed on objects or ideas that consistently yield a result.

Organization

Structuring information so that related information is placed together.

Elaboration

Embellishing information to make it more memorable.

Metacognition

The awareness and understanding of one’s own thinking processes.

Emotional Intelligence

The ability to use one’s own and others’ emotions effectively to solve problems and achieve happiness.

Analytical ability

Using data to understand problems, identify solutions, and suggest effective solutions.

Creative ability

The ability to produce or develop original work, theories, techniques, or thoughts.

IQ testing

A measure of a person’s reasoning ability.

Mental age

The difficulty of problems a child could solve correctly.

Gifted children

Defined by IQ ≥ 130, includes exceptional ability in art, music, and dance.

Intellectual disability

A substantial limitation in intellectual ability and problems adapting to an environment.

Learning disability

Having difficulty mastering an academic subject despite normal intelligence.

Dyslexia

A learning disability characterized by difficulty with accurate or fluent word recognition.

ADHD

Characterized by hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity.

Gross motor skills

Skills that involve larger movements, typically better in boys, especially those requiring strength.

Fine motor skills

Skills involving smaller, more precise movements, generally better in girls.

Physical fitness

Being physically active helps promote mental growth.

Obesity

Childhood obesity is a significant issue in the U.S., linked to a lack of physical education.

Sports

Children's exercise benefits physical health, self-esteem, social skills, and cooperation.

Socialization

The process of learning the norms and values of one's society.

Authoritarian parenting style

Parents set strict rules and expect them to be followed without discussion.

Authoritative parenting style

Parents explain rules and encourage discussion.

Permissive parenting style

Parents accept their child’s behavior with infrequent punishment.

Direct instruction

Telling a child what to do, when, and why, which benefits social skills.

Modeling

Behavioral patterns that are often imitated by children.

Reinforcement

A consequence that increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.

Punishment

A consequence intended to reduce undesired behavior.

Birth order

The order in which a child is born within their family.

Blended family

A family consisting of a biological parent, a step-parent, and children.

Child maltreatment

Includes physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and/or psychological abuse.

Friendship

A voluntary relationship based on mutual liking.

Clique

Tight groups with strict membership codes.

Crowd

A large group of people gathered together in an unruly way.

Dominance hierarchy

A social structure with a leader chosen based on group function.

Popular children

Children who are liked by many and generally skilled socially and academically.

Instrumental aggression

Aggression used to achieve a specific goal.

Relational aggression

Non-physical aggression aimed at harming someone’s social relationships.

Effects of media

Includes health information and risks such as body dysphoria.

Undifferentiated perspective-taking

Understanding that people can have different thoughts and feelings, but often confusing them.

Puberty

The period of physical changes marking the transition from childhood to adulthood.

Age of puberty

Typically occurs around age 11 for girls and 13 for boys.

Physical growth spurt

Growth phases occurring at age 11 for girls and 13 for boys.

Myelination

The formation of the myelin sheath around a nerve for improved conduction.

Primary sex characteristics

Physical signs of maturity directly linked to reproductive organs.

Secondary sex characteristics

Physical signs of maturity not directly linked to reproductive organs.

Menarche

The onset of menstruation, usually around age 13.

Spermarche

The first spontaneous ejaculation of sperm-laden fluid around age 13.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

A measure of body weight relative to height.

Anorexia

An eating disorder characterized by self-starvation.

Bulimia

An eating disorder marked by cycles of binge eating followed by purging.

Working memory

The capacity for holding and manipulating information over short periods.

Problem-solving

The ability to solve problems analytically using logic and mathematics.

Mental processing speed

The rate at which the brain processes information.

Cognitive skills

Functions used in thinking, attention, processing information, and memory.

Risks

Behaviors and actions that adolescents engage in that are often deemed unacceptable by adults.

Hypothetical reasoning

The ability to think about possibilities and their consequences.

Moral reasoning (Preconventional level)

Reasoning based on external factors.

Moral reasoning (Conventional level)

Reasoning based on societal norms.

Moral reasoning (Post conventional level)

Reasoning based on a personal moral code.

Diffusion identity status

A state where an individual feels overwhelmed by identity tasks and does little about it.

Foreclosure identity status

A state where identity is determined by adults rather than personal exploration.

Moratorium identity status

A state where individuals explore different identities but have not settled on one.

Adolescent egocentrism

A teenage focus on their own feelings and experiences.

Imaginary audience

The belief that one’s peers are constantly observing them.

Illusion of invulnerability

The belief that misfortune affects others but not oneself.

Self-esteem

A person's overall sense of self-worth or personal value.

Sexual behavior risks

Includes teenage pregnancy and risk associated with feelings of invulnerability.

Work phases (crystallization)

Teens use their identities to form career ideas.

Work phases (specification)

Learning about specific career paths and beginning training.

Work phases (implementation)

Entering the job market and gaining experience.

Holland’s Work-related personality types

The theory that job satisfaction is higher when work fits one’s personality.

Realistic type

Individuals who prefer physical labor and concrete problem-solving.

Social type

Individuals who excel in verbal and interpersonal tasks.

Investigating type

Task-oriented individuals who enjoy abstract thinking.

Artistic type

Individuals who express themselves through unstructured activities.

Alcohol and drugs

Substances that can impact behavior and decision-making during adolescence.

Adolescent-limited antisocial behavior

Antisocial actions that occur in adolescence but do not persist into adulthood.

Life-course persistent antisocial behavior

Long-term antisocial behavior that begins early and continues into adulthood.

Depression

A disorder characterized by persistent sadness, irritability, and low self-esteem.