Human Development

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts in human development study.

Developmental Psychology

The study of changes over the lifespan.

Prenatal Period

The stage of development from conception to birth.

Infancy

The period from birth to 18-24 months.

Childhood

The stage from the end of infancy to 11-14 years.

Adolescence

The stage from the end of childhood to 18-21 years.

Adulthood

The stage from the end of adolescence to old age and death.

Myelination

The process that leads to the formation of a myelin sheath around the nerves, which is vital for brain development.

Synaptic Pruning

The process of eliminating synapses in the brain to retain important connections and discard non-important ones.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs)

A group of conditions that result from alcohol exposure during pregnancy.

Dynamic Systems Theory

A theory proposing that development is a self-organized process influenced by environmental factors.

Infantile Amnesia

The inability of adults to retrieve memories from early childhood.

The Mozart Effect

The theory that listening to Mozart can temporarily enhance certain cognitive abilities.

Attachment

An emotional connection between individuals often formed during early development.

Imprinting

A critical period in which a young animal forms an attachment to its caregiver.

Ainsworth's Strange Situation Test

An experiment that identifies different styles of attachment based on a child's behavior.

Secure Attachment

A strong emotional bond characterized by trust and comfort.

Insecure Attachment

A type of attachment where the infant may show anxiety or avoidance towards the caregiver.

Cognitive Development

The process of growth and change in intellectual capabilities that influence behavior.

Sensorimotor Stage

The stage from birth to 2 years characterized by information acquisition through senses and motor skills.

Preoperational Stage

The stage from 2 to 7 years characterized by symbolic thinking and egocentrism.

Concrete Operational Stage

The stage from 7 to 12 years where logical thinking begins.

Formal Operational Stage

The stage from 12 years to adulthood characterized by abstract thought.

Moral Development

The development of understanding right from wrong and the capacity for moral reasoning.

Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development

A theory outlining three stages of moral reasoning: Pre-conventional, Conventional, and Post-conventional.

Screen Time

Refers to the time spent using devices with screens, often linked to negative outcomes in child development.