Psych Human Motivation

developmental psychology

study of change and stability of human physical, cognitive, social, and behavioral characteristics across life span

cross-sectional design

research design used to measure and compare samples of people from different age groups at one point in time

longitudinal design

research design that follows the development of the same set of individuals overtime

cohort effects

consequence of being born in a particular year or narrow range of years

Sensitive Period

window of time during which exposure to a specific type of environmental stimulation is needed for normal development of a specific ability

Preterm infants

infants born at 36 weeks gestation or earlier

teratogen

substance/drug that is capable of producing physical defects in a fetus. Appear at birth or shortly after

fetal alcohol syndrome

condition resulting in abnomralities in mental functioning, growth, and fetal development in offspring of women who use alcohol during pregnancy

reflex

involuntary muscle reaction to specific stimulation

synaptic pruning

process where weak and unused nerve cells connections are lost

synaptogenesis

formation of millions of new synapses

cognitive development

the changing abilities and processes of memory, thought, and reasoning that occur throughout life span

assimilation

children add new information but interpret based on what they know

Sensorimotor stage

0-2 years old, infants thinking/understanding about world is based on sensory experiences and physical actions they perform on objects

preoperational stage

2-7 years old, characterized by unerstanding of symbols, pretend play, and mastery of concept of conversion.

concrete operational stage

7-11 years old, children develop skills in using and manipulating numbers as well as logical thinking

formal operational stage

11-current. involves advanced cognitive processes such as abstract reasoning and hypothetical thinking

object permanence

ability to understand that objects exisit even when they cant be seen/touched

conservation

knowledge that the quantity or amount of an object is not related to the physical arrangement and appearance of that object

core knowledge hypothesis

view on development that proproses infants have inborn abilities for understanding some key aspects of their environment

habituation

decreasing in responding with repeated exposure to an event

dishabituation

increase in responsiveness following a change in a stimulus or event

zone of proximal development

concept from Lev Vygotsky explaing that development is ideal when children attempt skills and activites that are just beynd what they can alone do, but have adults who are attentive and can help

attachment

enduring emotional bond formed between individuals

secure attachment

caregiver equals the base child uses while exploring

insecure attachment

disorganized, resistant, and avoidant attachment to caregivers

disorganized

no consistent pattern of behavior when mom leaves/comes

resistant

upset when mom leaves, angry at her return

avoidant

not upset when mom leaves, avoids contact upon return

temperament

general emotional reactivity typically found in infants that serves as basis for development of adult personality

high reactive

respond with vigorous limb activity, they become timid/negative reaction

low reactive

less motor activity/distress, will approach strangers

self-awareness

the ability to recognize ones individuality

egocentric

seeing/interpreting world in terms of self

theory of mind

ability to recognize the thoughts, beliefs, and expectations of others

libido

motivation for sexual activity and plesure

sexual response cycle

the phases of physiological change during sexual activity, which consists of four primary stages: Excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution

sexual orientation

consistent preference for sexual relations with members of opposite or same sex or both sex

testosterone

hormone involved in development of sex charecteristics and the motivation of sexual behavior

accommodation

when children modify belief structures based on experiences

scaffolding

an approach to teaching in which the teacher matches guidance to learner or student needs

Klinefleter syndrome

Men born with an extra X chromosome (XXY) led to low infertility, testosterone, and and small testes.

Turner Syndrome

a complete or partial absence of the second X chromosome in females leads to specific physical and developmental traits

Parthogenesis

when egg develops into an embryo without being fertilized by sperm

Selfing

single organism that has both forms of genetalia, allowing for self fertilization

Fission/budding

organism splits into seperate individuals or grows new seperate individual from its own body

Germinal Period

first two weeks of conception, zygote

blastocyst

inner mass of cells that develops during the germinal period later devleops into embryo

Trophoblasts

outer layer of cells, providing nutrition and support for embryo

Embryonic period

3-8 weeks, cells become differentiated, support systems for cells and organs begin to appear

fetal period

9 weeks to birth, fetus is devleoping the apporpriate organs and weight

critical period

between day 28 and 54, critical for development, developing arms and legs, hands and feet, fingers and toes

Sexual Arousal

physical and psychological readiness to perform sexual behavior