Developmental Psychology

Starting from Chapter 3

DNA

Makes up genes

Chromosome

A thread-like structure made of protein and a single molecule of DNA that carries genomic information from cell to cell

Gametes

Reproductive cell, sperm or ova

Zygote

New cell formed when sperm and ova combine

Gene

Collection of instructions for cells, some are polymorphic

Alleles

Variations in genes

Genome

Entire packet of instructions for a living organism

Single-nucleotide polymorphism, SNPs

A tiny variation in only one part of the code, in one DNA block

Copy number variations

When numbers of a copy of a DNA segment varies between people, affects the likelihood of many inherited diseases

Autosome

Individual chromosomes independent of the sex chromosomes

Homozygous

When you have 2 identical versions of a particular gene, with one inherited from each parent

Heterozygous

When the code on one gene differs from its counterpart

23rd pair

The sex chromosomes

SRY gene

The gene in the Y chromosome that directs the embryo to make it male

Parental imprinting

When the same allele affects the embryo differently depending on if it came from the mother or father

Epigenetics

The study of how the environment alters genetic expression

Microbiome

The composition of all the microbes that live within us

Stem cell

Stem cells are the body’s raw materials—unspecialized cells that can divide and renew themselves while having the potential to become specialized cell types like muscle, blood, or nerve cells

Differentiation

Cells start to specialize, take different forms and replicating at different rates depending on their location

IVF

A medical procedure where eggs are removed from the ovaries and combined with sperm in a laboratory dish to create an embryo, which is then placed in the uterus

Phenotype

Set of observable traits and characteristics of an organism

Human Genome Project

An international scientific research effort lasting from October 1990 to April 2003 that successfully mapped and sequenced all 3 billion chemical base pairs of human DNA

Additive Heredity

When multiple genes or alleles contribute to a physical trait by adding their effects together

Carrier

Someone who carries a recessive gene, it’s on their genotype but not their phenotype

X-Linked

Genetic traits or conditions caused by genes located on the X chromosome, if the X-linked gene is recessive, boys will more often have the phenotype, girls will more often be carriers

Heritability

A statistical measure that estimates how much of the variation in a given trait within a specific population is due to genetic differences rather than environmental factors

XXY

Klinefelter syndrome, Typical male characteristics don’t develop at puberty

XYY

Jacob’s syndrome, typically tall

XXX

Triple X syndrome, typical appearance, intellectual difficulties

XO

Turner syndrome, webbed neck, secondary sex characteristics don’t develop

Trisomy-21

Down Syndrome

Dominant disorders

Rarer as people who have them usually die before puberty, but if they don’t they can be passed down

Recessive Disorders

Rarer, as people usually won’t notice them

Zone of Proximal Development

Lev Zygotsky, the gap between what a learner can do independently and what they can achieve with guidance from someone with more knowledge or expertise

Chinh is a 1 year old boy. He has been walking with support for several weeks and is just about to take his first unsupported step. He staggers a little and then falls. He then gets back to his feet and is ready to try again. It sounds like walking unsupported is:

Within Chinh’s zone of proximal development

Scaffolding

In vygotsky’s theory, temporary, structured support provided by an MKO during the learning process that is gradually peeled away as the learner gains competence and independence

Thomas is a math tutor and is tutoring Baayan in Algebra. Based on Vygotsky’s theory, who is the apprentice in this situation?

Baayan

Professor Carlson wants to examine the relationship between parental use of corporal punishment and child outcomes. The research, to a certain extent, seems mixed and she plans to combine the results of many studies to come to an overall conclusion. Which research strategy would be BEST?

Meta-analysis

Mila has always had a difficult time remembering things. She went a psychologist and underwent tests which concluded that the way she senses input and then stores the information is interfering with her ability to recall the information. This explanation of Mila’s memory difficulties is consistent with:

Information-processing theory

Nala believes that heredity is primarily responsible for her personality traits. Keiko believes that environmental influences are primarily responsible for personality traits, they are on different sides of the _____ debate

Nature vs. Nurture

Dr. Breslin would like to determine whether age affects reaction time, and he needs to find the answer quickly. Which research method would you reccomend?

Cross-sectional study

Cross-sectional study

An observational research design that analyzes data from a population, or a representative subset, at a single, specific point in time

Longitudinal Study

A research design that observes the same participants or variables repeatedly over an extended period, which can range from months to decades

Cross-sequential study

A research design that combines cross-sectional and longitudinal methods by following multiple age groups (cohorts) over a period of time

A balloon popped and made Bobby cry. It happened again when they were at a friend’s birthday party. Now when Bobby sees a balloon he starts to cry. Bobby cries in response to the balloon because of:

Classical Conditioning

_____ is the process by which genes for traits that aid survival and reproduction are selected over time to allow the species to thrive

Selective adaptation

Cognitive Equilibrium

A mental state of balance where a person's existing ideas and mental frameworks match new information and experiences from the world around them

When change is gradual it is said to be:

Continuous

Data that are reported in narrative form are known as:

Qualitative

Quantitative Data

Any information that can be counted, measured, or expressed with numerical values

Categorical Data

A type of qualitative data that places observations into distinct, non-overlapping groups or categories based on names, labels, or characteristics rather than numerical measurement, falls under qualitative

What is plasticity?

The idea that human traits may change or stay the same over time

What is replication of a study?

The repetition of a study using different participants

A _____ organizes facts and observations into a meaningful whole

Theory

Scientific observation allows for the

Study of individuals’ behavior in a systematic and objective manner

A person’s personality is part of their:

Phenotype

In 22 of the 23 pairs of chromosomes, both members of the pair are closely matched. Each of these 44 chromosomes is called a(n):

Autosome

Oliver has inherited genes that put him at risk for developing diabetes, but he never develops it because he always had a healthy diet and plenty of exercise. This example demonstrates that human characteristics such as diabetes are:

Epigenetic

Joaquín has a chromosomal pattern of XXY. He did not develop properly during puberty and has a learning disability in language. Which disorder does Joaquín likely have?

Klinefelter Syndrome

3 stages of prenatal development

Germinal, embryonic, and fetal

Germinal Period

First 14 days, cells divide and move to different parts of the blastocyst, implantation begins which is when , 65% of zygotes don’t make it past this stage

Embryonic Period

Weeks 3 to 8, mass of the inner shell takes shape, primitive streak forms, which then becomes the CNS, head starts to form along with the heart in the form of a small blood vessel, then 5th week arms and legs start, by week 8 has the organs and body parts of a human, embryo has both male and female potential

Primitive Streak

The part of the embryo that becomes the CNS

Cephalocaudal

Growth that is head to feet

Proximodistal

Growth that is near to far, meaning extremities are last

Wolffian Ducts

Male potential

Mullerian Ducts

Female potential

Indifferent gonad

Early embryonic reproductive structures that look the same in both male and female embryos before sex differentiation begins

Fetus

Week 9 till birth

Middle 3 months

Fetus is active, miscarriage rate plummets, little parts form and the CNS awakens

Final 3 months

Neurological, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems all develop, brain develops a lot and becomes wrinkled, cell death called apoptosis, also develop fontanelles

Apoptosis

Voluntary cell death for the greater good of the organism

Fontanelles

Soft membranous gaps between the cranial bones of an infant's skull

Neural Progenitor Cells

Cells that duplicate to create neurons

Gyri and Sulci

Folds and depressions in the brain

Oxytocin

The hormone that increases a lot in a fetus before birth

Anoxia

Lack of oxygen, caused by contractions, if it lasts too long it can cause cerebral palsy

Doula

Someone trained to support birth parents

Apgar Scale

Scale for newborn health, 5 signs: color, heart rate, cry, muscle tone, and breathing, assessed at 1,5, and 10 minutes after birth, each category is a 0,1, or 2, 10 overall is the goal nowadays

Eclampsia

Maternal blood pressure spike resulting in death

Teratogen

Anything that increases the risk of prenatal anomalies and birth complications

Behavioral Teratogens

An agent or substance exposed to a fetus during pregnancy that alters the central nervous system and causes cognitive, behavioral, or emotional problems after birth, even without causing physical birth defects

Threshold Effect

When a teratogen is harmless until a certain level

Factors in the cascade of prenatal harm

Timing, amount, genes i.e. innate vulnerability, drugs, and pesticides

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Caused by heavy drinking earlier in the pregnancy, affects facial features

Fetal Alcohol Effects

Caused by heavy drinking later in pregnancy, affects behavior

Low Birth Weight

Under 2500 grams, 5½ pounds

Very Low Birth Weight

Under 1500 grams, 3 pounds 5 ounces

Extremely Low Birth Weight

Under 1000 grams, 2 pounds 3 ounces

Preterm

2 or more weeks early

Small for Gestational Age

When a baby is small for that date

Couvade Syndrome

A proposed condition where an expectant partner without a biological pregnancy experiences real physical and emotional pregnancy symptoms

Immigration Paradox

The unexpected finding that first-generation immigrants often achieve better health, educational, and behavioral outcomes than non-immigrants or later-generation descendants

Reflex

An involuntary response to particular stimulus

Reflexes that maintain oxygen supply

Breathing, hiccups, sneezes, and thrashing

Reflexes that maintain body temperature

Crying, shivering, tucking their legs, and pushing away

Reflexes that manage feeding

Sucking, rooting, swallowing, and crying

Babinki Reflex

When feet are stroked and fan upward

Swimming reflex

When held horizontally on their stomachs newborns stretch their arms and legs

Stepping Reflex

When newborns are held upright, feet touching a flat surface, they move their legs as if to walk