Developmental psychology

Continuous development

The gradual and cumulative process of development where skills and abilities build upon one another.

Discontinuous development

The idea that development occurs in distinct and separate stages, with a rapid change in abilities.

Enduring themes in development

Key concepts that persist throughout various aspects of development, such as nature vs. nurture.

Nature and nurture

The debate regarding the influence of genetic inheritance (nature) and environmental factors (nurture) on development.

Stability and change

The examination of whether traits remain consistent over time or change with development.

Cross-sectional Study

A research method that analyzes data from a population at a specific point in time.

Longitudinal Study

A research method that involves repeated observations of the same variables over a long period.

Teratogens

Agents or factors that cause malformation or abnormal development in an embryo or fetus.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

A condition resulting from alcohol exposure during pregnancy, leading to physical and developmental issues.

Maternal illness (effects of)

How diseases or conditions in a pregnant woman may negatively impact fetal development.

Genetic mutation

A permanent alteration in the DNA sequence that can lead to developmental disorders.

Reflexes (Babinski, Moro, Palmar, Rooting)

Inborn automatic responses to stimuli; examples include the Babinski reflex (toes curling) and the Moro reflex (startle response).Palmar, grasping finger, rooting, opening mouth when finger is ran across cheek

Fine Motor Coordination

The ability to coordinate small muscle movements, typically involving the hands and fingers.

Gross Motor Coordination

The ability to use large muscle groups for activities such as walking or jumping.

Visual Cliff

A laboratory device used to test depth perception in infants.

Critical Period

A specific time during development when certain abilities or characteristics are most easily developed.

Imprinting

A form of learning occurring at a particular life stage that is rapid and apparently independent of the consequences of behavior.

Sensitive period

A time frame in development when an individual is particularly receptive to certain environmental stimuli.

Puberty

The process of physical changes that occur during adolescence, leading to sexual maturity.

Reaction time

The time taken to respond to a stimulus.

Sensory acuity

The sharpness or clarity of sensory perceptions.

Visual sensory acuity

The clarity or resolution of visual perception.

Auditory sensory acuity

The clarity or precision of auditory perception.

Sex

The biological classification as male or female.

Gender

The roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a society considers appropriate for men and women.

Sexual orientation

A person's emotional, romantic or sexual attraction to individuals of the same or different sex.

Gender identity

A person's personal sense of their own gender, which may be different from the sex they were assigned at birth.

Gender typing

The process by which children learn the behaviors and expectations associated with their gender.

Social learning theory

The theory suggesting that we learn behaviors, attitudes, and emotional reactions through observation and imitation of others.