Human Development Lecture Notes

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key concepts of Human Development, including prenatal stages, cognitive theories, parenting styles, and biological theories of aging.

Development

The pattern of continuity and change in human capabilities that occurs throughout life, involving growth and decline.

Cross-sectional studies

A research method in developmental psychology that assesses people of different ages at one single timepoint.

Cohort effects

A problem in cross-sectional research where differences between groups may be due to the period or generation in which they were born rather than age.

Longitudinal studies

A research method where the same participants are assessed over a lengthy period of time to study developmental change.

Nature

An individual's biological inheritance or genes.

Nurture

An individual's environmental and social experiences.

Resilience

A person’s ability to recover from or adapt to difficult times.

Germinal Period

The first two weeks of prenatal development involving conception and the formation of the zygote.

Embryonic Period

Weeks 3 to 8 of prenatal development characterized by cell differentiation and the start of organ formation.

Fetal Period

Months 2 to 9 of prenatal development during which organ functioning increases.

Teratogens

Agents such as nicotine, alcohol, or specific viruses that can disrupt the development of the fetus.

Reflexes

Genetically wired behaviors; some are crucial for survival (yawning), while others disappear with neurological development (rooting, startle).

Preferential Looking

A research technique used to measure infant preferences by giving them a choice between stimuli and measuring their gaze.

Myelination

A process beginning prenatally and continuing into adulthood that involves the development of protective sheaths around neurons.

Pruning

The removal or replacement of unused synaptic connections in the brain.

Cognitive development

The study of how thought, intelligence, and language processes change as people mature.

Schemas

Concepts or frameworks used to organize and interpret information.

Assimilation

The process of applying old, existing schemas to new experiences.

Accommodation

The process of adjusting or altering schemas in response to new information.

Sensorimotor Stage

Piaget's first stage (Birth to 2 years) where infants coordinate sensations with movements and develop object permanence.

Object permanence

The understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen, heard, or touched.

Preoperational Stage

Piaget's second stage (2 to 7 years) characterized by symbolic thinking, intuitive reasoning, and egocentrism.

Egocentrism

The belief that others see the world exactly as one does; common in childhood and adolescence.

Concrete Operational Stage

Piaget's third stage (7 to 11 years) involving logical reasoning in concrete contexts and the understanding of conservation.

Formal Operational Stage

Piaget’s final stage (11 to 15 years through adulthood) characterized by abstract, idealistic thought and hypothetical-deductive reasoning.

Vygotsky's Sociocultural Cognitive Theory

A theory viewing children as apprentice thinkers whose cognitive development is supported by scaffolding from expert adults.

Temperament

An individual’s behavioral style or characteristic way of responding, often categorized as easy, difficult, or slow-to-warm-up.

Infant Attachment

The close emotional bond between an infant and its caregiver.

Strange Situation Test

Mary Ainsworth’s procedure to measure secure or insecure attachment by observing infant responses to a caregiver's return.

Authoritarian Parenting

A restrictive, punitive style where parents are controlling, potentially leading to a child's lack of social skills.

Authoritative Parenting

A style encouraging independence with limits; parents are warm and nurturing, correlating with child social competence.

Neglectful Parenting

A style where parents are generally uninvolved, correlating with poor self-control in the child.

Permissive Parenting

A style where parents are involved but place few limits, often leading to a child's lack of respect for others.

Preconventional Morality

Kohlberg's first level where moral behavior is guided strictly by punishments and rewards.

Conventional Morality

Kohlberg's second level where moral standards are learned from parents and society.

Postconventional Morality

Kohlberg's third level where morality is based on contracts, rights, and abstract principles.

Identity Diffusion

A state in Marcia's theory where an individual has neither explored identity options nor made a commitment.

Identity Foreclosure

A state in Marcia's theory where an individual has made an identity commitment without prior exploration.

Identity Moratorium

A state in Marcia's theory where an individual is actively exploring identities but has not yet made a commitment.

Identity Achievement

A state in Marcia's theory where an individual has made an identity commitment after a period of exploration.

Emerging Adulthood

The transition period from adolescence to adulthood (ages 18 to 25) characterized by identity exploration and instability.

Cellular Clock Theory

A biological theory stating that cells can divide a maximum number of times, predicting a human life span of about 120 years.

Hormonal Stress Theory

A biological theory of aging suggesting that lingering stress hormones increase the risk of disease.

Intimacy versus isolation

Erikson’s sixth stage (Early Adulthood) centered on forming friendships and long-term romantic relationships.

Generativity versus stagnation

Erikson’s seventh stage (Middle Adulthood) focused on leaving a legacy that benefits future generations.

Integrity versus despair

Erikson’s eighth stage (Late Adulthood) involving a life review to find a sense of meaning before death.