developmental psychology

Human development

The systematic study of processes of change and stability throughout the life span.

Systematic

Coherent and organized

Adaptive

It is aimed at dealing with internal and external conditions of existence

4 goals of human development

• description

• Explanation

• Prediction

• Intervention

Domains of development

• physical development

• Cognitive development

• Psychosocial development

Pre-natal period

Conception to birth

Infancy and toddlerhood

Birth to age 3

Early childhood

Age 3-6

Middle childhood

Age 6-11

Adolescence

Age 11-20

Young adulthood

Age 20-40

Middle adulthood

Age 40-65

Late adulthood

Age 65 and over

Fertilization; zygote

also known as conception, is the process by which sperm and ovum (sex cells) combine to create a single cell called ___

Ovulation

rupture of mature follicle in either ovary and expulsion of its ovum which occurs every month until menopause

Dizygotic twins

also known as Fraternal Twins

 Two separate eggs being fertilized by two different sperms

 Can be same or different sex

 May have genetic basis

Monozygotic twins

resulted from the cleaving of one fertilized egg and are generally genetically identical

Heredity

Genetic transmission of heritable characteristics from parents to offspring

Deoxyribonucleic acid

long, spiraling ladder whose steps are made of pairs of chemical units called bases

 Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine, Guanine

Chromosomes

Coils of DNA of smaller segments called genes

Mitosis

Cell division of non-sex cells

Meiosis

Cell division of sex cells

Mutation

mistake in copying genetic code which creates permanent alteration in genetic material

Autosomes

Not affiliated to sexual expression

Sex chromosomes

23rd pair which indicates the baby’s sex

Alleles

produce alternative expressions of characteristics

Homozygous

if two alleles are the same

heterezygous

if two alleles are different

dominant

alleles that is always expressed or show up as a trait in that person

Recessive

usually does not show unless paired with another recessive trait

polyggenetic inheritance

interaction of several genes

phenotype

observale characteristics

genotype

underlying genetic makeup

Epigenesis

environment can influence when and which genes turn on and off

carriers

carry one bad copy of recessive gene and one good one

genotype-environment interaction 

effects of similar environment conditions on genetically different individuals

genotype-environment correlation

environment often reinforces genetic differences

niche-picking

tendency to seek out environment compatible with one’s genotype

nonshared environmental effects

result from the unique environment in which each child in a family grows up

infertility

inability to conceive a child

in vitro fertilization (ivf)

eggs and sperm are combined in a laboratory dish

ultrasound sonography

high frequency sound waves are directed into the pregnant woman’s abdomen

• no risk to the woman or fetus

• detect abnormalities, number of fetuses, and sex

Gestation

period between conception and birth, between 37 and 41 weeks

gestational age

dated from the first day of an expectant mother’s last menstrual cycle

cephalocaudal principle

development proceeds from head to lower extremities

proximodistal

development proceeds from the center to outer parts of the body

Germinal stage

• from fertilization to about 2 weeks of gestational age

• zygote enters into cell division (mitosis) while making its way to the fallopian tube

differentiation

specialization of the cells to perform various tasks

trophoblast

outer layer of cells that later provides nutrition and support for the embryo

amniotic sacs

encloses the developing embryo, protecting it and giving it a room and grow

placenta

allows oxygen, nourishment, and wastes to pass between mother and embryo

umbilical cord

connects the embryo to the placenta

spontaneous abortion (miscarriage)

expulsion from the uterus of an embryo that is unable to survive outside the womb

stillbirth

miscarriage occurred after 20 weeks of gestation (approx. 5 months)

males

are more likely to be spontaneously aborted or to be stillborn

individual differences

difference in characteristics, influence, or developmental outcomes

heredity

inborn traits or characteristics inherited from the biological parents

environment

total of nonheredity, or experiential, influences on development

maturation

unfolding of a natural sequence of physical and behavioral changes

teratogen

environmental agent that can interfere with normal prenatal development

teratology

field of study that investigates the causes of birth defects

malnutrition

results to fetal growth restriction and low birth weight

thalidomide

caused stunted limbs, facial deformities, and defective organs

Opioids

are associated with small babies, fetal death, preterm labor, and aspiration of meconium

fetal alcohol syndrome

characterized by a combination of retarded growth, face and body malformations, and disorders of the central nervous system

maternal smoking

was identified to be the most important factor for low-birth weight babies

diabetic mothers

Are most likely tend to have premature or underweight babies

prenatal cell-free dna scans

fetal dna is extracted from the mother’s blood and tested for early detection of genetic problems

labor

process of giving birth

braxton-hicks contractions

false contractions

false contractions

-first stage

- longest stage

contractions are 15-20 mins apart

cervix opened about 10cm

second stage 

baby’s head starts to move through the cervix

baby is coming out

approx. 45 mins 

third stage

afterbirth

placenta, umbilical cord, and other membranes detached and expelled

shorest stage

analgesia

pain reliever such as tranquilizers, barbiturates, and narcotics

anesthesia

used in the late first stage labor and during delivery to block sensation in an area of the body or to block consciousness

epidural block

regional anesthesia that blocks the lower part of the body

pudenandal block

vaginal anesthesia

oxytocin

hormone that promotes contraction

Natural Childbirth 

method that aims to reduce the mother’s pain by decreasing her fear by providing information about childbirth and teaching her and her partner to use breathing methods and relaxation techniques during delivery

bradley method

husbands as coaches, relation for easier birth and prenatal nutrition and exercise

cesarean delivery

Performed if the baby is lying crosswise, if the baby’s head is too large, complications, or if the mother is bleeding internally

Not recommended prior to 39 weeks of gestation unless there is an indication of fetal lung maturity

breech position

baby’s buttocks are the first part to emerge from the vagina which can cause respiratory problems

APGAR scale

widely used to assess the health of newborns at 1-5 mins after birth

Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale 

performed within 24-36 hrs after birth to assess neurological development, reflexes, and reactions

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Network Neurobehavioral Scale 

assessment of the newborn’s behavior, neurological and stress                                         response, and regulatory capacities