Developmental Concepts and Theories Flashcards

Question and Answer style flashcards generated from lecture notes on developmental psychology concepts, theories, and biological foundations.

What is the main point of debate in Nature vs. Nurture?

The debate over the extent to which development is determined by genetics and innate biological traits (nature) versus environmental influences, experiences, and culture (nurture).

How is Plasticity defined in human development?

The idea that human traits and developmental pathways can be molded or changed over time, yet people maintain a certain durability and continuity of identity.

What is the difference between a Critical Period and a Sensitive Period?

A Critical Period is a crucial time when a particular developmental growth must happen for normal development to occur. A Sensitive Period is a time when development happens most easily or rapidly, though it can still occur later with more difficulty.

How do Genotype and Phenotype differ?

Genotype is an organism's entire genetic inheritance or genetic potential. Phenotype refers to the observable characteristics of a person (appearance, personality, intelligence) resulting from the interaction of genotype and environment.

When are Recessive Traits expressed in a person's phenotype?

Only when inherited from both parents (homozygous), as they are masked when paired with a dominant gene.

What are Jean Piaget's four stages of cognitive development and their age ranges?

1. Sensorimotor (Birth–2 years)
2. Preoperational (2–6 years)
3. Concrete Operational (6–11 years)
4. Formal Operational (12+ years)

In Piaget's theory, what characterizes the Sensorimotor stage?

Learning through senses and motor skills during Birth–2 years.

In Piaget's theory, what characterizes the Preoperational stage?

Symbol and language use from 2–6 years, where thinking is egocentric.

In Piaget's theory, what characterizes the Concrete Operational stage?

Logic applied to concrete, tangible concepts from 6–11 years.

In Piaget's theory, what characterizes the Formal Operational stage?

Abstract reasoning and hypothetical logic from 12+ years.

What is the difference between Assimilation and Accommodation in cognitive development?

Assimilation is interpreting new experiences by fitting them into pre-existing schemas. Accommodation is restructuring or altering existing schemas to fit new information and experiences.

What is Equilibrium in cognitive development?

A state of mental balance where a person's internal cognitive concepts match their real-world observations.

What is Object Permanence and when does it typically develop?

The realization that objects or people continue to exist even when no longer visible, audible, or touched; typically develops around 8 months in Piaget's sensorimotor stage.

What is Cognitive Psychology?

The branch of psychology that focuses on how people think, perceive, remember, analyze, and process information.

What is Behaviorism?

A developmental theory emphasizing observable, measurable behavior and the environmental influences that shape it (also called learning theory).

How does Pavlov's Classical Conditioning work?

It is a learning process in which a meaningful stimulus comes to be connected with a neutral stimulus that had no special meaning prior to conditioning (learning by association).

How does B.F. Skinner's Operant Conditioning operate?

It is a learning process in which an action is reinforced or punished, increasing or decreasing the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated.

What is Modeling in social learning theory?

The central process of social learning theory where individuals observe and imitate the actions, behaviors, and attitudes of others.

What is the central premise of Psychoanalytic Theory?

That irrational, unconscious drives and motives (often originating in childhood) underlie human behavior.

What are the five stages of Sigmund Freud's Psychosexual Theory?

Oral, Anal, Phallic, Latency, and Genital stages.

What is Erik Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development model?

An 8-stage lifelong developmental model where each stage focuses on a primary social task or crisis (e.g., Trust vs. Mistrust, Identity vs. Role Confusion).

What are Teratogens?

External substances, chemicals, viruses, or conditions that can harm a developing embryo or fetus during prenatal development, causing birth defects or functional damage.

What causes Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and what are its symptoms?

Caused by maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy, leading to a cluster of birth defects including severe physical anomalies, brain damage, and cognitive impairments.

What do Cortisol Studies in infants and children measure?

They examine levels of the primary stress hormone (cortisol) to measure physiological responses to emotional distress, neglect, or environmental trauma.

What is the difference between Gross Motor Skills and Fine Motor Skills?

Gross Motor Skills involve large muscle movements (e.g., walking, jumping, crawling), while Fine Motor Skills involve small body movements and precise coordination, especially of hands and fingers (e.g., drawing, holding a utensil).

What components determine Socioeconomic Status (SES)?

Income, wealth, occupation, education, and place of residence.

What did Harry Harlow's research on surrogate mother monkeys demonstrate about attachment?

It demonstrated that infant attachment relies on contact comfort and security rather than just feeding.

What are Mirror Neurons and what functions do they support?

Cells in an observer's brain that fire both when the individual performs an action and when they watch another individual perform that same action, aiding in empathy, learning, and imitation.

How does Evolutionary Theory explain human behaviors and psychological traits?

It proposes that modern human behaviors and psychological traits were shaped by natural selection over millions of years to maximize survival and reproduction.

What is Lev Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory?

A theory holding that dynamic interactions between developing persons and their surrounding culture/society drive cognitive growth.