Pysch 2

Sensorimotor Stage

A developmental stage from ages 0-2 where infants adapt to and explore their environment.

Preoperational Stage

A developmental stage from ages 2-7 characterized by gains in mental representation, imaginative play, and symbolic thinking.

Critique of Sensorimotor and Preoperational Stages

Piaget's sensorimotor stage is seen as underestimating, while the preoperational stage is overestimating the abilities of young children.

Information Processing Theory

A theory describing cognitive development as involving mental hardware (brain) and mental software (skills and strategies) for processing information.

Physical Development during Puberty

Includes growth spurts, increases in weight and height, reversal of the cephalocaudal growth trend, and organ growth/maturation.

Primary Sex Characteristics

Physical changes directly related to reproduction, such as the maturation of reproductive organs.

Secondary Sex Characteristics

Visible changes associated with puberty that are not directly related to reproduction, like breast development in girls and voice changes in boys.

Biological Influences on Puberty

Factors such as genetics and hormones that affect physical development during puberty.

Environmental Influences on Puberty

Factors such as nutrition, exercise, and stress that impact physical development during puberty.

Achievement in Identity Status

The status where an individual has made a decision about their identity after careful consideration, such as choosing a career based on values.