Unit 3 - Development and Learning

developmental psychology

branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development throughout the lifespan

explores 3 major themes: nature/nurture, continuity/stage and stability/change

maturation

biological growth processes that enable orderly changes in behavior, relatively uninfluenced by experience (nature)

synaptic pruning

process that shuts down unused synaptic links

adolescence

the developmental stage from puberty and independent adulthood characterized by physical, emotional, and cognitive changes

puberty

when people become sexually matured and able to reproduce

menopause

when a woman's menstrual cycles and fertility end

can cause depression and mood swings

death-deferral phenoenon

the tendency for people to die after major milestones (birthday, holiday, etc.)

intersex

possessing male and female biological sexual characteristics at birth

aggression

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

relational agression

agression intending to harm relationship or social status

interdependence

the mutual reliance among people or groups for resources, support, or information

estrogens

sex hormones like estradiol that are secreted more by females than by males and contribute to female characteristics

primary sex characteristics

body structures that make sexual reproduction possible

ex. ovaries, testes, external genitalia

secondary sex characteristics

nonreproductive sexual traits

ex. female breasts and hips, male voice quality, body hair

spermarche

first ejaculation

menarche

first menstrual period

sexual aggression

unwanted or harmful physical or verbal behavior of sexual nature

ex. sexual harassment or assault

gender identity

personal sense of gender

social learning theory

learn social behavior by observing and imitating and being rewarded or punished

ex. watching an older sister play with dolls

gender typing

taking on traditional masculine or feminine role

androgyny

blending of traditionally masculine and feminine psychological characteristics

social script

culturally modeled guide for how to act in various situations

sexual orientation

a person’s sexual and emotional attraction and the behavior and/or social affiliation from this attraction; not something that can be changed

sensorimotor stage

object permanence