Unit 3 developmental psych. 3.1-3.6 development and language

Developmental Psychology

a branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, and social change throughout the lifespan.

cross sectional study

research that compares people of different ages at the same point in time.

Longitudinal study

research that follows and retests the same people over time.

teratogens

agents, such as chemicals and viruses, that can reach the embryo or fetus during prenatal development and cause harm.

fetal alcohol syndrom (FAS)

physical and cognitive function deficits in children caused by their birth mother’s heavy drinking during pregnancy. In severe cases, symptoms include a small, out-of-proportion head and distinct facial features.

Habituation

decreasing responsiveness with repeated stimulation. As infants gain familiarity with repeated exposure to a stimulus, their interest wanes and they look away sooner.

maturation

biological growth processes that enable orderly changes in behavior, relatively uninfluenced by experience.

critical period

an optimal period early in the life of an organism when exposure to certain stimuli or experiences produces normal development.

adolesence

the transition period from childhood to adulthood, extending from puberty to independence.

puberty

the period of sexual maturation, during which a person usually becomes capable of reproducing.

menopause

the time of natural cessation of menstruation; also refers to the biological changes a woman experiences as her ability to reproduce declines.

sex

in psychology, the biologically influenced characteristics by which people define male, female, and intersex.

gender

in psychology, the attitudes, feelings, and behaviors that a given culture associates with a person’s biological sex. (See also gender identity.)

intersex

possessing male and female biological sexual characteristics at birth.

agression

any physical or verbal behavior intended to harm someone physically or emotionally.

relational agression

an act of aggression (physical or verbal) intended to harm a person’s relationship or social standing.

x chromosome

the sex chromosome found in females and males. Females typically have two X chromosomes; males typically have one. An X chromosome from each parent produces a female child.

y chromosomes

the sex chromosome typically found only in males. When paired with an X chromosome from the mother, it produces a male child.

testosterone

the most important male sex hormone. Males and females have it, but the additional testosterone in males stimulates the growth of the male sex organs during the fetal period and the development of male sex characteristics during puberty.

estrogen

sex hormones, such as estradiol, that contribute to female sex characteristics and are secreted in greater amounts by females than by males.

primary sex charateristics

the body structures (ovaries, testes, and external genitalia) that make sexual reproduction possible.

secondary sex characteristic

nonreproductive sexual traits, such as female breasts and hips, male voice quality, and body hair.

spermarche

[sper-MAR-key] the first ejaculation.

menarche

[meh-NAR-key] the first menstrual period.

role

a set of expectations (norms) about a social position, defining how those in the position ought to behave.

gender roles

a set of expected behaviors, attitudes, and traits for men and for women.

sexual aggression

any physical or verbal behavior of a sexual nature that is unwanted or intended to harm someone physically or emotionally. Can be expressed as either sexual harassment or sexual assault.

gender identity

our personal sense of being male, female, neither, or some combination of male and female, regardless of whether this identity matches our sex assigned at birth, and the social affiliation that may result from this identity.

social learning theory

the theory that we learn social behavior by observing and imitating and by being rewarded or punished.

gender typing

the acquisition of a traditional masculine or feminine role.

androgyn

displaying traditionally masculine and traditionally feminine psychological characteristics.

sexuality

our thoughts, feelings, and actions related to our physical attraction to another.

asexual

having no sexual attraction toward others.

cognition

all the mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating.

sexual scripts

a culturally modeled guide for how to act in various situations.

sexual orientation

according to the APA (2015), “a person’s sexual and emotional attraction to another person and the behavior and/or social affiliation that may result from this attraction.”

Carol Gilligan

suggested that this struggle describes Western individualistic males more than relationship-oriented females. Gilligan believed females tend to differ from males both in being less concerned with viewing themselves as separate individuals and in being more concerned with “making connections.” Indeed, males tend to be independent.

Alferd Kinsey

pioneered the study of human sexuality. Findings ignited debate and controversy, but they also paved the way for future research on the sexual behavior of men and women. Our sexual feelings and behaviors reflect both physiological and psychological influences.

Alice Eagly

found smaller behavioral differences between women and men in cultures with greater gender equality. Believe that social learning theory offers a helpful explanation of gender differences. We all learn social scripts — our culture’s guide to how people should act in certain situations. By watching and imitating others in their culture, women, for example, may learn that sexual encounters with strange men can be dangerous, that casual sex may not offer much sexual pleasure, and that women (more than men) who engage in casual sexual activity face reputational harm

Jean Piaget

all the mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating. His interest in children’s cognitive development began in 1920, when he was in Paris developing questions for children’s intelligence tests. While administering the tests, became intrigued by children’s wrong answers, which were often strikingly similar among same-age children. Where others saw childish mistakes, Piaget saw developing intelligence at work. Such accidental discoveries are among the fruits of psychological science.