Lifespan Development, Genetics, and Prenatal Care Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing core terms and definitions from Lifespan Development, Research Methods, Prenatal Stages, Teratogens, and Childbirth.

Developmental Psychology

The scientific study of the ways in which people change — and stay the same — across the lifespan from conception to death.

Chronological Age

The measure of age defined by the time elapsed since birth, often represented by the number on a birthday cake.

Biological Age

A measure of age based on an individual's physical health and functioning relative to typical age norms.

Psychological Age

A measure of age evaluated by an individual's adaptive capacities, such as emotional control, mental flexibility, and motivation.

Social Age

A measure of age based on age-graded roles and habits expected within an individual's culture.

Physical Domain of Development

The domain of developmental psychology that encompasses body growth, brain development, and health.

Cognitive Domain of Development

The domain of developmental psychology focused on thinking, learning, memory, and problem solving.

Psychosocial Domain of Development

The domain of developmental psychology involving emotions, personality, relationships, and social roles shaped by family, peers, and culture.

Erikson's Psychosocial Theory

A contemporary developmental theory that focuses on social and emotional development across stages of life.

Social Learning Theory

A developmental theory stating that individuals learn by observing others and their surrounding environment.

Descriptive Research Method

A research approach where investigators observe and describe what is happening.

Correlational Research Method

A research strategy that looks for relationships between variables to make predictions.

Experimental Research Method

A scientific methodology that manipulates independent variables to determine cause and effect.

Cross-Sectional Research Design

A developmental study design where individuals of different ages are studied at one single point in time.

Longitudinal Research Design

A study design in which the same group of individuals is studied over many years.

Sequential Research Design

A developmental research design that combines both cross-sectional and longitudinal approaches.

Plasticity

A key principle of Paul Baltes' lifespan perspective which states that humans retain the capacity to change throughout life.

Germinal Stage

The first period of prenatal development spanning $0\text{ to }2\text{ weeks}$, characterized by cell division of the zygote and implantation into the uterine wall, which occurs successfully in $40\%$ of cases.

Embryonic Stage

The most rapid period of prenatal development spanning $3\text{ to }8\text{ weeks}$, involving neural tube formation by Day $22$ and initial heart function by Day $18$.

Fetal Stage

The final and longest period of prenatal development from $9\text{ weeks}$ to birth, known as the growth and finishing phase.

Age of Viability

The point in prenatal development reached between $22\text{ and }26\text{ weeks}$ at which a fetus has a $50\%$ chance of survival outside the womb.

Teratogens

Harmful agents or substances that cause physical or structural damage during prenatal development.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

A congenital condition caused by prenatal alcohol exposure, characterized by smaller heads, deformed facial features, poor coordination, and learning difficulties.

Postpartum Depression

A period of sadness, anxiety, insecurity, and inadequacy experienced by $10\text{ to }20\%$ of women after giving birth.

Baby Blues

A temporary period of mild depression, anxiety, or anger experienced by $70\text{ to }80\%$ of new mothers within a few days of childbirth.

Apgar Scale

A quick physical assessment administered to a newborn at $1\text{ minute}$ and $5\text{ minutes}$ post-birth, scoring $5$ health criteria up to $2\text{ points}$ each.

Vernix Caseosa

A protective white waxy substance that covers the skin of a newborn child.