AP Psychology Unit 3 Part 1

Developmental Psychology

Branch of psychology that studies the physical, cognitive, and social changes over a lifespan.

Cross-Sectional Studies

Studies that analyze people of different ages at the same time.

Longitudinal Studies

Studies that follow groups of people across time.

Themes of Developmental Psychology

Nature/nurture, continuity/stages, and stability/change.

End of History Illusion

Individuals are capable of recognizing past changes in themselves, but presume little future change.

Teratogens

Chemicals, viruses, or other substances that can reach an embryo and cause harm.

Congenital

Present at birth.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

Syndrome causing physical and mental deficits due to a mother’s consumption of alcohol, and can also cause distinct facial features.

Habituation

Process leading to decreased responsiveness with repeated stimulation.

Maturation

Biological growth processes that enable changes in behavior largely independent of experiences.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Things like deprivation that can slow development and cause problematic effects.

Synaptic Pruning

The process by which the brain rids itself of unnecessary connections.

Critical Period

The optimal time in an organism’s early life when exposure produces normal development.