Psych 1005 chapter 11

Germinal stage

The first stage of prenatal development, starting from fertilization to the formation of the blastocyst.

Myelination

The process of forming a myelin sheath around nerves, crucial for proper nerve signal transmission.

Teratogen

Substances or factors that can disrupt prenatal development and cause birth defects.

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)

A condition resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure, leading to physical and cognitive impairments.

Motor reflexes

Involuntary movements in response to stimuli, crucial for survival in infancy.

Sensorimotor stage

The initial stage in Piaget's theory of cognitive development, where infants learn through sensory experiences and actions.

Object permanence

The understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are not visible, typically developed during infancy.

Concrete operational stage

Piaget's stage of cognitive development where children can think logically about concrete events and objects.

Theory of mind

The ability to understand and attribute mental states to oneself and others, crucial for social interactions.

Attachment styles

Patterns of how individuals connect and relate to others, influenced by early caregiver interactions.

Puberty

The stage of development where individuals reach sexual maturity and become capable of reproduction.

Primary sex characteristics

Physical features directly related to reproduction, such as genitalia.

Egocentrism

A cognitive bias where individuals struggle to see things from perspectives other than their own.

Temperament

Individual differences in behavior and emotional reactions that are present from infancy.

Conventional stage

In Kohlberg's theory of moral development, the stage where individuals conform to societal norms and expectations.

Postconventional stage

The highest level in Kohlberg's theory of moral development, where individuals develop their moral principles beyond societal norms.

Adulthood

The stage of life following adolescence, characterized by maturity and independence.