207 Lecture 3

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts in developmental psychology as discussed in the lecture, focusing on behaviorism, classical conditioning, prenatal development, and early learning.

John Watson

A psychologist known for his contributions to behaviorism and classical conditioning, particularly his work with Little Albert.

Classical Conditioning

A learning process in which a stimulus conditions a response

Little Albert

A baby who was conditioned by John Watson to fear white rats as part of a study on classical conditioning.

Deconditioning

The process of reversing previous conditioning of behavior, often used in therapy for treating phobias.

Systematic Desensitization

A behavior modification technique used to treat anxiety disorders by gradually exposing the patient to the feared object or context.

Germinal Period

The first two weeks of prenatal development after conception, during which the zygote develops and implants into the uterine wall.

Embryonic Period

The period from the third to the eighth week of prenatal development characterized by major organ formation.

Fetal Period

The developmental stage from the ninth week until birth, where rapid growth and further development occur.

Prenatal Development

The process of growth and development of a human fetus during pregnancy.

Perinatal

A term broadly used to refer to the time surrounding birth, including both before and after.

Neonatal Period

The first four weeks after birth, where significant adjustments occur for the newborn.

Antenatal

Referring to the period before birth, synonymous with prenatal.

Nativist Perspective

The belief that certain skills or abilities are innate, present from birth.

Empiricist Perspective

The belief that individuals are born as a 'blank slate' and develop skills and knowledge through experience.

Behaviorism

A theory in psychology which argues that behaviors are learned from the environment, focusing primarily on observable behaviors.

Fetal Learning

The process by which a fetus acquires knowledge and preferences through experiences in the womb, like hearing their mothers voice.

Operant Conditioning

A method of learning that employs rewards and punishments for behavior; introduced by B.F. Skinner.

Attachment Theory

A psychological concept that describes the dynamics of long-term interpersonal relationships, emphasizing closeness and bonding.

Conditioned Response

A learned reaction to a previously neutral stimulus that has been paired with an unconditioned stimulus.