Developmental Psychology: Key Concepts and Stages in Human Growth

Developmental psychology

Study of physical, cognitive, and social change across the lifespan

Nature vs. nurture

Genetics vs. environment

Continuity vs. stages

Gradual change vs. distinct steps

Stability vs. change

Do traits stay consistent over time?

Zygote

Fertilized egg (0-2 weeks)

Embryo

Developing human; organs begin forming (2-8 weeks)

Fetus

Developing human; growth & maturation (9 weeks-birth)

Teratogens

Harmful substances that affect prenatal development

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

Brain damage & facial abnormalities from alcohol exposure

Rooting reflex

Baby turns toward touch on cheek

Habituation

Decreased response to repeated stimulus

Maturation

Biological growth process

Motor development

Development of physical movement (crawl → walk)

Infantile amnesia

Inability to remember early childhood memories

Schema

Mental framework for organizing information

Assimilation

Adding new info to existing schema

Accommodation

Changing schema to fit new info

Sensorimotor stage

(0-2) Learning through senses & actions

Object permanence

Objects exist even when unseen

Preoperational stage

(2-7) Symbolic thinking, lacks logic

Conservation

Quantity stays same despite shape

Egocentrism

Inability to see others' perspectives

Theory of mind

Understanding others have thoughts/feelings

Concrete operational stage

(7-11) Logical thinking about concrete events

Formal operational stage

(12+) Abstract & hypothetical thinking

Scaffolding

Temporary support to help a child learn

Zone of proximal development

What a learner can do with help

Attachment

Emotional bond with caregiver

Imprinting

Rapid attachment during a critical period

Critical period

Limited time when development must occur

Contact comfort

Physical closeness provides security (Harlow)

Strange Situation

Measures attachment style

Secure attachment

Distressed when parent leaves, comforted when returns

Insecure attachment

Avoidant or anxious behavior

Temperament

Inborn emotional reactivity

Anxious attachment

Fear of abandonment

Avoidant attachment

Discomfort with closeness

Self-concept

Understanding of who you are

Authoritarian parenting

Strict, low warmth

Permissive parenting

Warm, few rules

Negligent parenting

Uninvolved, low warmth & control

Authoritative parenting

Warm, firm, supportive (best outcomes)

Sex

Biological traits

Gender

Socially defined roles

Gender roles

Cultural expectations for genders

Social learning theory

Learn behavior through observation

Gender typing

Learning gender-appropriate behavior

Gender identity

Personal sense of gender

Transgender

Gender identity differs from sex assigned at birth

Pruning

Brain eliminates unused neural connections

Peer influence

Peers shape behavior & identity

Puberty

Sexual maturation

Limbic system

Emotion & reward (develops first)

Frontal lobes

Reasoning & impulse control (develop last)

Preconventional morality

Avoid punishment, gain rewards

Conventional morality

Follow rules & laws

Postconventional morality

Moral principles over laws

Psychosocial development

Life stages focused on social conflicts

Identity vs. role confusion

Adolescents forming sense of self

Emerging adulthood

Ages ~18-25; independence exploration

Primary sex characteristics

Reproductive organs

Secondary sex characteristics

Physical traits (voice, body hair)

Menarche

First menstruation

Spermarche

First ejaculation

Longitudinal study

Same people studied over time

Cross-sectional study

Different ages studied once

Neurocognitive disorder

Decline in mental functioning

Alzheimer's disease

Memory loss caused by brain deterioration

Trust vs. Mistrust

Infancy (0-1); caregivers are reliable → trust; inconsistent care → mistrust; virtue: hope

Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt

Toddler (1-3); independence builds autonomy; overcontrol causes shame; virtue: will

Initiative vs. Guilt

Preschool (3-6); encouraged exploration leads to initiative; discouragement leads to guilt; virtue: purpose

Industry vs. Inferiority

Elementary (6-12); competence through achievement; repeated failure causes inferiority; virtue: competence

Identity vs. Role Confusion

Adolescence (12-18); exploring values and roles forms identity; lack of exploration causes confusion; virtue: fidelity

Intimacy vs. Isolation

Young adulthood (18-40); close relationships create intimacy; avoidance leads to isolation; virtue: love

Generativity vs. Stagnation

Middle adulthood (40-65); contributing to society brings generativity; self-focus leads to stagnation; virtue: care