Developmental Psychology: Key Concepts, Theories, and Research Methods

What is a critical period?

A specific window in time where a pivotal milestone should be reached.

What are the two research approaches used when exploring the life cycle?

Cross-sectional and Longitudinal.

What is the definition of developmental psychology?

The study of age-related behavior and mental processes from birth onward.

According to Piaget, what is a schema?

A framework or theory that a child develops.

What are the four stages of Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development?

Sensory Motor (0-2), Pre-operational (2-7), Concrete Operational (7-11), Formal Operational (11+).

What is the difference between assimilation and accommodation?

Assimilation — child forms a schema and learns info that validates it. Accommodation — child forms a schema and learns new info that causes re-evaluation.

What is the significant event that takes place during the sensorimotor stage?

Object permanence.

How does object permanence work?

The child starts to realize that just because it doesn't see something, doesn't mean it's not real.

What is animism and which Piaget stage does it occur in?

When a child gives human-like properties to an inanimate object. Occurs in the Pre-operational phase.

What takes place during the formal operational stage?

Deductive reasoning, hypothetical reasoning, and adolescent egocentrism.

What is egocentrism and during which stage does it take place?

The child believes everyone sees things the way they do. Occurs in the Pre-operational stage.

What are Erikson's Eight Stages of Psychosocial Development (in order)?

Trust vs. Mistrust → Autonomy vs. Doubt → Initiative vs. Guilt → Industry vs. Inferiority → Identity vs. Role Confusion → Intimacy vs. Isolation → Generativity vs. Stagnation → Ego Integrity vs. Despair.

Which Erikson stage is Peter in if he is on his third job in 18 months, failing to form peer relationships?

Industry vs. Inferiority.

Which Erikson stage is Gina in if she cannot initiate activities and follows others' lead?

Initiative vs. Guilt.

What are the three stages of prenatal development and the weeks they cover?

Germinal Phase (0-3 wks), Embryonic Phase (3-8 wks), Fetal Phase (9-38 wks).

Any factor that causes damage or death to a developing fetus is called a?

Toxin (Teratogen).

What happens when the mother goes into fight or flight?

As the mother's heart rate increases, so does the baby's — causing the baby to have trouble breathing.

What are the categories of teratogens?

Medications and drugs, malnutrition, environmental factors, diseases.

What is the main event during the germinal period?

Implantation.

What is the definition of attachment?

A strong emotional bond with others that develops over time.

All of a baby's senses are fully developed at birth except?

Their eyesight.

What is auditory threshold?

The lowest point someone can hear without assistance.

What is visual acuity?

The smallest point someone can see without assistance.

What are the four different parenting styles?

Authoritarian, Authoritative, Permissive-Neglectful, Permissive-Indulgent.

Which parenting style is most effective and why?

Authoritative — high control, high warmth. Sets boundaries, gives consequences, is passionate and involved.

Which parenting style is low in warmth and low in control?

Permissive-Neglectful.

What are the cycles of relationship violence?

Honeymoon Phase → Testing Phase → Abuse Phase → Guilt Phase (Loaded Apology) → Back to Normal Phase.

What are the five categories of relationship violence?

Physical, Sexual, Financial, Emotional, Psychological.

What are the five tactics of perpetrators of relationship violence?

Domination, Isolation, Humiliation, Intimidation, Threats.

What is one main reason a person in an abusive relationship stays?

They don't know they are being abused.

Which tactic is used when Linda's boyfriend punches the wall and breaks her phone but never touches her?

Intimidation.

What is the definition of ADHD?

A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a consistent pattern of impulsivity and hyperactivity.

What is a neurodevelopmental disorder?

A disorder that typically starts in childhood and impacts communication.

What are the treatment modalities for ADHD?

Medication, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Parental Training, Reinforcement.

Since there is no blood test for ADHD, how is it diagnosed?

Through normative scales, observation, and clinical concepts.

What are the risk factors of the hyperactive component of ADHD?

Talking over others, accident prone, inability to sit still, inability to wait their turn.

List five key symptoms of the inattentive component of ADHD.

Loses things, difficulty following directions, easily distracted, makes simple mistakes, forgets important due dates.

What are some diagnoses ADHD is sometimes confused with?

Bipolar disorder, anxiety, and rudeness/bullying behavior.

What are the five myths about suicide?

1) Someone who says they'll self-harm won't do it. 2) Only a 'crazy' person will commit suicide. 3) Suicide always happens without warning. 4) Once suicidal, always suicidal. 5) Talking about it plants the idea.

What are the five categories of suicidal ideation?

Verbal, Emotional, Psychological, Behavioral, Situational.

Why is it risky when a depressed person suddenly 'snaps' out of it?

If a decision has been made, they often don't care anymore and become more upbeat and positive — masking risk.

If someone loses their job and becomes suicidal, which category of risk is that?

Situational.

What are the two key questions for assessing someone's level of risk?

1) What is the person doing now that they weren't doing before? 2) What are they not doing now that they were doing before?

How does a longitudinal study work?

Researchers follow the same group of people over an extended period of time, measuring changes as they age.

What are the pros and cons of a longitudinal study?

Pro: tracks real change over time, same subjects. Con: time-consuming, expensive, subject attrition.

How does a cross-sectional study work?

Researchers study different groups of people of different ages at the same point in time.

What are the pros and cons of a cross-sectional study?

Pro: quick and less expensive. Con: cohort effects, doesn't track actual change in individuals.

Why can't we assume everything will be alright if a baby is born seemingly normal?

Critical periods still lie ahead — developmental milestones must still be met within specific windows after birth.