MURTAGH AP PSYCHOLOGY - Myers 4th Edition UNIT 3: Development and Learning Modules (3.1-3.3) - Themes in Development, Physical Development & Gender

developmental psychology

a branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, and social change throughout the life span

cross-sectional study

A study in which a representative cross section of the population is tested or surveyed at one specific time.

longitudinal study

research in which the same people are restudied and retested over a long period

fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)

physical and cognitive abnormalities in children caused by a pregnant woman's heavy drinking. In severe cases, symptoms include noticeable facial misproportions

Teratogens

agents, such as chemicals and viruses, that can reach the embryo or fetus during prenatal development and cause harm

Habituation

an organism's decreasing response to a stimulus with repeated exposure to it

Maturation

biological growth processes that enable orderly changes in behavior, relatively uninfluenced by experience

critical period

an optimal period early in the life of an organism when exposure to certain stimuli or experiences produces normal development

puberty

the period of sexual maturation, during which a person becomes capable of reproducing

menopause

the time of natural cessation of menstruation; also refers to the biological changes a woman experiences as her ability to reproduce declines

adolescence

the transition period from childhood to adulthood, extending from puberty to independence

sex

the biologically influenced characteristics by which people define males and females

gender

the attitudes, feelings, and behaviors that a given culture associates with a person's biological sex

gender identity

our personal sense of being male or female, regardless of whether this identity matches our sex assigned at birth, and the social affiliation that may result from this identity.

Intersex

possessing biological sexual characteristics of both sexes

aggression

any physical or verbal behavior intended to harm someone physically or emotionally

relational aggression

an act of aggression (physical or verbal) intended to harm a person's relationship or social standing

gender bias

Stereotypical views and differential treatment of males and females, often favoring one gender over the other.

X chromosome

The sex chromosome found in both men and women. Females have two X chromosomes; males have one. An X chromosome from each parent produces a female child.

Y chromosome

the sex chromosome found only in males. When paired with an X chromosome from the mother, it produces a male child.

Testosterone

the most important of the male sex hormones. Both males and females have it, but the additional testosterone in males stimulates the growth of the male sex organs in the fetus and the development of the male sex characteristics during puberty

Estrogens

sex hormones, such as estradiol, secreted in greater amounts by females than by males and contributing to female sex characteristics. In nonhuman female mammals, estrogen levels peak during ovulation, promoting sexual receptivity

primary sex characteristics

the body structures (ovaries, testes, and external genitalia) that make sexual reproduction possible

secondary sex characteristics

nonreproductive sexual characteristics, such as female breasts and hips, male voice quality, and body hair

spermarche

boys' first ejaculation

menarche

the first menstrual period

role

a set of expectations (norms) about a social position, defining how those in the position ought to behave

gender role

a set of expected behaviors, attitudes, and traits for males or for females

sexual aggression

any physical or verbal behavior of a sexual nature that is intended to harm someone physically or emotionally. Can be expressed as either sexual harassment or sexual assault

social learning theory

the theory that we learn social behavior by observing and imitating and by being rewarded or punished

gender typing

the acquisition of a traditional masculine or feminine role

Androgyny

displaying both traditional masculine and feminine psychological characteristics

Sexuality

our thoughts, feelings, and actions related to our physical attraction to another

Asexual

having no sexual attraction to others

social script

culturally modeled guide for how to act in various situations

sexual orientation

a person's sexual identity in relation to the gender to which they are attracted; the fact of being heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual.