Developmental Psychology: Piaget, Vygotsky, and Attachment Theories

What is the Preoperational stage in Piaget's theory?

A stage from ages 2-7 where children can represent things with words and images but cannot perform mental operations.

What is egocentrism in the context of child development?

The inability of children in the Preoperational stage to see things from perspectives other than their own.

What defines the Concrete Operational stage?

A stage from ages 7-11 where children understand complex operations and the principle of conservation.

What is conservation in child development?

The understanding that objects maintain their properties despite changes in form, such as mass, volume, and quantity.

What is the Formal Operational stage?

A stage from around age 12 where reasoning expands to include abstract thinking and logical deduction.

How does Vygotsky's view of cognitive development differ from Piaget's?

Vygotsky emphasizes social interaction and language in cognitive development, while Piaget focuses on individual exploration of the physical world.

What is scaffolding in Vygotsky's theory?

A framework that offers temporary support to children as they develop higher levels of thinking.

What is the Theory of Mind?

The understanding of one's own and others' mental states, including feelings, perceptions, and thoughts.

At what age do children begin to show knowledge of others' beliefs?

As young as 7 months.

What is the significance of the Sally and Anne test?

It assesses a child's understanding of false beliefs and perspective-taking.

What are the eight psychosocial stages proposed by Erikson?

Stages that include trust vs. mistrust, autonomy vs. shame, initiative vs. guilt, industry vs. inferiority, identity vs. role confusion, intimacy vs. isolation, generativity vs. stagnation, and integrity vs. despair.

What is attachment in child development?

A powerful survival tool that keeps infants close to their caregivers, essential for emotional security.

What did Harlow's experiment with monkeys demonstrate about attachment?

That comfort and closeness are crucial for attachment, not just nourishment.

What is imprinting?

A rigid attachment process in certain animals during early life, which does not occur in children.

What is the Strange Situation experiment by Mary Ainsworth?

An experiment that observed infant attachment styles by assessing their behavior in a strange environment with and without their mothers.

What are the characteristics of secure attachment?

Infants play comfortably in their mother's presence, become distressed when she leaves, and seek comfort upon her return.

What factors influence attachment styles in children?

Parental sensitivity and responsiveness, as well as the child's temperament.

What is self-concept in childhood?

An understanding and assessment of oneself, including physical characteristics, group memberships, and psychological traits.

How does familiarity influence attachment?

Children develop attachments based on familiarity, which fosters feelings of safety and comfort.

What is the impact of attachment deprivation on children?

While many children can withstand adversity, enduring abuse can lead to lifelong psychological scars.

What is the role of language in Vygotsky's theory?

Language is a crucial tool that allows individuals to solve problems and navigate the zone of proximal development.

What does the term 'zone of proximal development' refer to?

The range of tasks that a child can perform with guidance but not yet independently.