AP Psych - Unit 3 Mid-Unit

Developmental psychology

The study of how people grow, change, and remain the same across their lifespan.

Developmental Psychology (RWE)

Studying how moral reasoning develops from childhood to adulthood.

Cross-sectional studies

Compare people of different ages at one point in time

Cross-sectional studies (RWE)

Testing memory skills in 10-, 20-, and 30-year-olds at once

Longitudinal studies

Follow the same group over time to observe changes.

Longitudinal studies (RWE)

Following a group of children from kindergarten to high school to see academic growth.

Nature vs. nurture

Debate over whether genetics (nature) or environment (nurture) shapes development.

Nature vs. nurture (RWE)

Studying whether intelligence is more influenced by heredity or by early education.

Continuity and stages (continuous vs. discontinuous development)

Continuous = gradual, cumulative growth; stages = discrete, separate steps.

Continuity and stages (continuous vs. discontinuous development) (RWE)

Height growth is continuous; Piaget’s cognitive stages are discontinuous.

Stability and change

Traits that persist vs. traits that change over life.

Stability and change (RWE)

Temperament is often stable; political views may change

Teratogens

Substances that can harm a developing fetus.

Teratogens (RWE)

Alcohol, tobacco, certain medications.

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)

Birth defects caused by maternal alcohol use.

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) (RWE)

Small head size, facial abnormalities, learning difficulties.

Maternal illness

Illnesses in the mother that can affect fetal development.

Maternal illness (RWE)

Rubella during the first trimester may cause blindness or heart defects.

Genetic mutations

Permanent changes in DNA that can cause disorders.

Genetic mutations (RWE)

Cystic fibrosis caused by a gene mutation

Rooting reflex

Baby turns head toward touch on cheek (helps breastfeeding).

Rooting reflex (RWE)

Baby finds the nipple when cheek is stroked

Visual cliff test

Measures depth perception in infants

Maturation

Biological growth processes that enable orderly changes in behavior.

Maturation (RWE)

Walking develops naturally around 12 months.

Synaptic pruning

Brain eliminates unused neurons/connections to increase efficiency.

Synaptic pruning (RWE)

Childhood overproduction of neurons reduces during adolescence.

Critical period

Time when certain experiences are essential for development.

Critical period (RWE)

Learning a first language is easiest in early childhood.

Adolescence

Transition from childhood to adulthood, including physical, cognitive, and social changes.

Puberty

Biological changes leading to sexual maturity.

Menopause

End of menstruation in women, usually in late 40s–50s.

Sex

Biological differences between male and female.

Gender

Socially constructed roles, behaviors, and identities.

Primary sex characteristics

Directly involved in reproduction.

Primary sex characteristics (RWE)

Ovaries, testes.

Secondary sex characteristics

Not directly reproductive, develop during puberty.

Secondary sex characteristics (RWE)

Breast development, facial hair.

Spermarche

First ejaculation in boys.

Menarche

First menstrual period in girls.

Gender roles

Societal expectations for male/female behavior.

Gender roles (RWE)

Girls expected to be nurturing; boys expected to be assertive.

Gender identity

Personal sense of being male, female, or other

Social learning theory (gender)

Children learn gender roles by observing and imitating others.

Gender typing

Process of acquiring a traditional gender role.

Gender typing (RWE)

A boy learning to play sports and a girl learning to play with dolls.

Schemas

Mental frameworks for organizing information.

Schemas (RWE)

“Dog” schema includes four legs, fur, barks.

Assimilation

Integrating new experiences into existing schemas.

Assimilation (RWE)

Seeing a coyote and calling it a dog.

Accommodation

Adjusting schemas to fit new information.

Accommodation (RWE)

Learning that a coyote is not a dog.

Piaget’s stages:

1. Sensorimotor (0–2 yrs)

Piaget’s stages:

1. Sensorimotor (0–2 yrs) (RWE)

Knowledge through senses and actions.

Object Permanence 

Understanding that objects exist even when unseen.

Preoperational (2–7 yrs)

Symbolic thinking, egocentrism, lack conservation

Conservation

Understanding that quantity remains the same despite shape changes.

Egocentrism

Difficulty seeing others’ perspectives.

Concrete operational (7–11 yrs)

Logical thinking about concrete events.

Reversibility

Understanding that actions can be reversed.

Formal operational (12+ yrs)

Abstract and hypothetical reasoning.

Vygotsky’s theory

Cognitive development occurs through social interaction.

Scaffold

Temporary support to help a child learn a task

Scaffold (RWE)

Teacher guiding a student step-by-step.

Zone of proximal development (ZPD)

Tasks a child can do with help but not alone.

Zone of proximal development (ZPD) (RWE)

A child can solve a puzzle with hints from a parent

Theory of mind

Ability to understand others’ perspectives

Theory of mind (RWE)

Knowing a friend is sad even if they smile

Crystallized intelligence

Knowledge from experience.

Crystallized intelligence (RWE)

Vocabulary or math facts.

Dementia

Decline in mental ability interfering with daily life.

Dementia (RWE)

Alzheimer’s disease causing memory loss and confusion.

Phonemes

Smallest sound units in language.

Morphemes

Smallest meaning units.

Grammar

Rules for language structure.

Semantics

Meaning of words and sentences

Syntax

Word order rules

Universal grammar

Chomsky’s idea that humans are born with innate grammar ability.

Cooing & babbling

Early speech sounds.

One-word stage

Single words express meaning

Telegraphic speech

Two-word phrases, like a telegram.

Overgeneralization

Applying language rules too broadly

Example: “I goed to the store.

Broca’s area

Speech production.

Wernicke’s area

Speech comprehension.

Separation anxiety

Distress when caregiver leaves.

Stranger anxiety

Fear of unfamiliar people

Harlow’s study

Monkeys preferred comfort over food.

Attachment

Emotional bond between child and caregiver.

Imprinting

Early attachment (in animals).

Sensitive period

Optimal time for attachment in humans

Ainsworth’s Strange Situation

Measures attachment type

Secure

Comforted by caregiver, explores freely

Insecure/Anxious

Clingy, less comforted.

Avoidant

Ignores caregiver.

Disorganized

Confused or inconsistent.

Temperament

Innate personality style.

Basic trust

Sense the world is predictable (Erikson).

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)

Traumatic experiences affecting development.

Self-concept

Understanding of who you are

Parallel play

Playing next to others without interacting