Developmental Psych Exam 1

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from lectures on lifespan development, psychological research methods, prenatal development, and infant cognitive development.

Lifespan development

The study of development from conception to death, which is multidisciplinary, covers all age groups (not just children), and encompasses many dimensions.

Development

A pattern of change involving growth and decline that is lifelong, multidimensional, multidirectional, plastic, multidisciplinary, contextual, and involves the growth, maintenance, and regulation of loss.

Normative history-graded influences

Contextual influences on development that stem from a shared historical context.

Culture

The behavior patterns and beliefs of a group of people.

Theory

A concept and propositions intended to describe and explain certain phenomena.

Hypothesis

A specific prediction, such as predicting that providing older adults a way to exercise cognitive ability will increase their cognitive ability.

Sample

The group of people who are studied in a research study.

Replication crisis

The ongoing issue in research concerning the replication of classic studies using new populations.

Social desirability

A tendency in self-reports where participants try to make themselves sound better than they actually are.

Structured observation

A data collection method where researchers attempt to replicate a naturalistic environment in a laboratory setting to control conditions.

Confederate

An individual who is secretly part of the research study.

Correlational method

A research design used to determine whether two or more variables are related in a systematic way.

Directionality

An issue in correlational research where the direction of the cause-and-effect relationship could be the reverse of what is expected.

Third variable problem

The situation in correlational research where the observed association between two variables of interest is caused by an unmeasured third variable.

Meta-analysis

A research approach involving the consultation of literature and analysis of multiple combined studies.

Cross-sectional study

A developmental research design where individuals of different age groups are compared at one time, providing information about age differences.

Age effects

The relationship between age and development.

Cohort effects

The effects of being born as a member of a particular generation in a specific historical context.

Longitudinal design

A study design in which one cohort of individuals is assessed repeatedly over time, providing information about age changes rather than age differences.

Sequential design

A developmental research design that combines cross-sectional and longitudinal methods.

Conception

The union of a gamete and a sperm.

Organogenesis

The beginning of organ formation during the embryonic period, representing critical periods for development.

Fetal period

The period of prenatal development characterized by the refinement of organs.

Teratogens

Any external agents (such as alcohol, drugs, pollution, medication, or stress) that can pass through the placenta and negatively affect the embryo.

Birth weight

The weight of a baby at birth, serving as a marker for how healthy the prenatal environment was and an indicator of later health.

Preclampsia

A condition during pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure.

Sensorimotor stage

Piaget's first stage of infant cognitive development, lasting from birth to 2 years old, where infants construct understanding through sensory experiences.

Schemas

Actions, mental representations, or knowledge structures that organize knowledge and help children learn about the world.

Assimilation

The process of using existing schemas to deal with new information or experiences.

Accommodation

The process that occurs when children adjust existing schemas to fit new information and experiences.

Organization

In Piaget's theory, the grouping of isolated behaviors and thoughts into a higher-order cognitive system.

Equilibration

A mechanism defined by Piaget by which children shift from one stage of thought to the next.

Disequilibrium

The state that drives the changing or modification of existing schemas.

Object permeance

An understanding that objects and events continue to exist even when out of sight; considered one of the infant's most important accomplishments according to Piaget.

Core knowledge approach

The theory proposing that infants are born with domain-specific innate knowledge systems.

Habituation

Decreased responsiveness to a stimulus after repeated presentations.

Dishabituation

Increased responsiveness after a change in stimulation.

Joint attention

An interaction where two or more individuals focus on the same object or event, which is the most important factor for encouraging cognitive development.

Implicit memory

Memory retention over time without conscious recollection.

Explicit memory

Conscious remembering of facts and experiences over time.

Infantile or childhood amnesia

The inability to remember much, if anything, from the first 3 years of life.

Deferred imitation

Imitation of an action that occurs after a delay of hours or days.

Genotype

organisms entire genetic inheritance (genes)

Phenotype

observable characters (EXPRESSION of genes)

Monozygotic

one egg split

Dizygotic

two egg split

Rooting reflex

One of the first reflexes - stroking a child’s cheek makes the child turn

Sucking reflex

Child automatically sucks when object is placed in their mouth

Temperament

The first personality of a child. Easy temperament babies are adaptable to new environments; difficult temperament babies are irritable and have a hard time adapting. Slow to warm up babies are slow to adapt to new people and situations, but respond mildly rather than intense ways.

Secure attachment

Baby uses the parent as a secure base to explore. Might be distressed when parent leaves- seeks contact and is comforted when parent returns.

Avoidant attachment

Baby does not care when parent leaves or returns- responds similarly to parent as a stranger

Resistant attachment

Stays with parent until they leave, are angry the whole time, resistant when parent returns

Disorganized attachment

Child is confused when parent returns

Sensitive caregiving

Caregiving that is sensitive to a child’s needs and understanding how they act