g

Habituation

An infant becomes less responsive to a repeated stimulus.

Dishabituation

The infant's attention increases when a new stimulus appears.

Preferential looking

Researchers measure which of two images an infant looks at longer.

Operant conditioning

Researchers examine whether infants learn that a behavior produces a reward, such as a mobile moving when they kick.

Imitation

Researchers observe whether infants copy an action performed by someone else.

Temperament

refers to early-appearing individual differences in emotional reactivity, activity, and self-regulation.

Personality

a broader pattern of thoughts, emotions, motivations, and behaviors that develops through biological influences and life experiences.

Schema

A mental framework used to organize knowledge and interpret experiences.

Assimilation

Fitting new information into an existing schema

Accommodation

Changing an existing schema or creating a new one to fit new information.

Equilibration

The process of balancing assimilation and accommodation to develop more accurate understanding.

Birth–1 year

Trust vs. mistrust

1–3 years

Autonomy vs. shame and doubt

3–6 years

Initiative vs. guilt

6 years–puberty

Industry vs. inferiority

Adolescence

Identity vs. role confusion

Young adulthood

Intimacy vs. isolation

Middle adulthood

Generativity vs. stagnation

Late adulthood

Integrity vs. despair