Developmental Psychology: Reflexes, Piaget Sensorimotor Stage, Attachment, Motor Skills, Nutrition, Senses, Emotions, Synaptic Growth, Prenatal Stages

Reflexes

Automatic, involuntary responses to stimuli; important for survival and early development.

Rooting reflex

Baby turns head when cheek is stroked (helps with feeding).

Sucking reflex

Infant automatically sucks when object placed in mouth.

Moro reflex (startle)

When startled, arms/legs fling out then curl back.

Palmar grasp

Infant grasps finger placed in palm.

Babinski reflex

Toes fan out when sole of foot is stroked.

Sensorimotor Stage

Infants learn about the world through senses and motor actions.

Object permanence

Understanding that objects exist even when out of sight (around 8-12 months).

Attachment Theory

Emotional bond between infant & caregiver.

Secure attachment

Distressed when caregiver leaves, comforted upon return.

Insecure-avoidant

Doesn't seek closeness, avoids caregiver.

Insecure-resistant (ambivalent)

Very distressed when caregiver leaves, not easily comforted on return.

Disorganized attachment

Inconsistent, confused behavior (often linked to neglect/trauma).

Motor Skills - Fine vs. Gross

Gross motor skills: Large movements (crawling, walking, running, jumping). Fine motor skills: Small movements (grasping, writing, buttoning, drawing).

Nutrition - Breastmilk vs. Formula

Breastmilk contains antibodies, boosts immune system; formula provides nutrients but lacks antibodies.

Touch

First sense to develop (prenatal, very early).

Taste & Smell

Develop in womb; newborns prefer sweet tastes.

Hearing

Well-developed at birth; infants recognize mother's voice.

Vision

Least developed at birth; blurry at first (best focus ~8-10 inches).

Primary emotions

Universal, innate emotions that appear in first 6 months (e.g., joy, anger, sadness, fear, disgust, surprise).

Secondary emotions

Self-conscious emotions that appear after ~18-24 months (e.g., guilt, shame, embarrassment, pride, envy).

Synaptic Growth

Rapid formation of synapses in early years; unused connections are eliminated to increase efficiency.

Stages of Prenatal Development

Germinal stage (0-2 weeks): Conception → zygote → blastocyst implants in uterus; Embryonic stage (3-8 weeks): Major organs form; Fetal stage (9 weeks-birth): Growth and refinement of systems.