Untitled Flashcard Set

Lifespan Development

The scientific study of growth, change, and stability throughout a person’s life.

Physical Development

Changes in the body’s structure, functioning, and abilities.

Cognitive Development

Changes in thinking, learning, memory, reasoning, and language.

Personality and Social Development

Changes in emotions, personality, relationships, and social interactions.

Age-Graded Influences

Biological and environmental influences strongly related to chronological age.

History-Graded Influences

Biological and environmental influences associated with a historical period.

Sociocultural-Graded Influences

Influences related to cultural background, ethnicity, social class, or social group membership.

Non-Normative Life Events

Unusual events that significantly influence an individual's development.

Cohort Effects

A group of people born around the same time exposed to similar historical and social conditions.

Nature vs. Nurture

Debate concerning the contributions of genetics (nature) and environment (nurture) to development.

Continuous Development

Development that occurs gradually through small changes.

Discontinuous Development

Development that occurs through distinct stages characterized by qualitative differences.

Critical Period

A specific developmental window during which an event or influence must occur for normal development.

Sensitive Period

A time frame during which an experience has a significant impact on development, though may still occur later.

Psychodynamic Perspective

Focuses on unconscious processes and internal conflicts influencing personality development.

Behavioral Perspective

Focuses on observable behavior and learning through environmental experiences.

Cognitive Perspective

Examines how people think, understand, remember, and process information.

Humanistic Perspective

Emphasizes free will, personal growth, and individuals’ potential for development.

Contextual Perspective

Emphasizes the influence of social, cultural, and historical environments on development.

Evolutionary Perspective

Focuses on inherited characteristics and behaviors that contribute to survival.

Monozygotic Twins

Identical twins resulting from one fertilized egg dividing into two embryos.

Dizygotic Twins

Fraternal twins resulting from two separate eggs fertilized by two separate sperm.

Genotype

An individual's genetic makeup.

Phenotype

Observable characteristics resulting from genetic and environmental influences.

Alleles

Alternative forms of a gene.

Dominant Allele

An allele that can influence a trait when only one copy is present.

Recessive Allele

An allele whose effects are generally expressed when two copies are present.

Mutation

A change in genetic material.

X-Linked Inheritance

Inheritance involving genes located on the X chromosome.

Polygenic Traits

Traits influenced by multiple genes.

Phenylketonuria (PKU)

An inherited metabolic disorder affecting the body's ability to process phenylalanine.

Down Syndrome

Typically caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21, associated with various physical and intellectual characteristics.

Amniocentesis

A prenatal test that collects amniotic fluid for genetic testing.

First-trimester screening

Estimates risk of chromosomal or developmental conditions through blood testing and ultrasound.

Germinal Period

The stage from fertilization to approximately 2 weeks.

Embryonic Period

The stage from approximately weeks 2 to 8, where major organs begin forming.

Fetal Period

The stage from approximately week 8 until birth, characterized by rapid physical growth.

Synaptic Pruning

Elimination of unnecessary or weak neural connections during brain development.

SUID

Sudden Unexpected Infant Death, encompassing various causes of sudden infant deaths.

SIDS

The unexplained death of an infant during sleep, remaining unexplained after investigation.

Apgar Scale

A quick assessment of a newborn’s physical condition post-birth.

Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale

Assesses newborn behavioral and neurological functioning.

Proximal Caregiving

Emphasizes physical closeness and bodily contact between caregiver and infant.

Distal Caregiving

Emphasizes interaction at a greater physical distance.

Epidural Anesthesia

Medication administered near the spinal nerves to reduce pain during labor.

Permissive Parenting

High warmth with few rules and inconsistent limits.

Authoritarian Parenting

Strict rules, high control, low warmth.

Authoritative Parenting

High warmth with clear expectations and consistent boundaries.

Uninvolved Parenting

Low warmth and low responsiveness with little guidance.

Trust vs. Mistrust

Erikson's stage for infants learning whether caregivers are reliable.

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

Stage where toddlers seek independence.

Collectivistic Orientation

Emphasizes group responsibility and interdependence.

Individualistic Orientation

Emphasizes personal identity and independence.

Centration

The tendency to focus on one prominent aspect of a situation.

Conservation

Understanding that quantity remains the same despite changes in appearance.

ZPD (Zone of Proximal Development)

The range between what a child can achieve independently and with assistance.

Scaffolding

Temporary support given to help a child complete a task.

Gender Schema Theory

A cognitive framework for organizing information about gender roles.

Gender Constancy

Understanding that gender remains stable despite changes in appearance.

Aggression

Behavior intended to harm another person.

Instrumental Aggression

Aggression motivated by achieving a specific goal.

Relational Aggression

Aggression intended to harm someone's social relationships.

Resilience

The ability to adapt positively despite adversity.

Empathy

The ability to understand or share another person's emotional experience.

Deep Play vs. Shallow Play

Deep play infers a meaningful and immersive experience, while shallow play lacks depth.

Social Referencing

Looking to another person’s emotional reaction to decide how to respond.

Mirror Recognition Test

A test for self-awareness in infants involving a mark on their face.

Piaget's View of Moral Development

Stages of moral understanding progressing from fixed to negotiable rules.

Critical vs. Sensitive Periods

Critical periods have more restrictive windows; sensitive periods are more flexible.

Nature vs. Nurture Debate

Discussion on the influence of genetics versus environment in development.

Continuous vs. Discontinuous Development

Continuous is gradual change; discontinuous occurs in stages.

Attachment Theory

The theory that emphasizes the importance of early relationships in development.

Self-Awareness

Understanding of oneself as a separate individual.

Early Friendships

Developing social relationships based on shared activities.

Authoritative Parenting

Parenting style characterized by high warmth and clear expectations.

Emotional Regulation

Managing emotional responses appropriately.

Aggressive Behavior

Behavior intended to cause harm from preschoolers.

Developmental Plasticity

The brain's ability to change in response to experiences.

Brain Lateralization

Cognitive functions becoming specialized in one hemisphere.

Physical Punishment

Using physical force with intention to discipline.

Cognitive Development

The process of growth and change in intellectual capabilities.

Functional Play

Simple, repetitive physical activities for young children.

Pretend Play

Using imagination and symbolic representation in play.

Helicopter Parenting

Overly involved parenting that limits children’s independence.

Speech Development

The process through which children develop the ability to communicate verbally.

Peer Relationships

Social interactions among children throughout their early years.

Aggressive Models

Behavior shown by adults that children may imitate.

Peer Familiarity

Preference for playing with peers who are familiar.

Gender Roles

Societal norms dictating behaviors appropriate for genders.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

A theory that prioritizes human needs in a motivational hierarchy.

Reinforcement in Behaviorism

A consequence that increases the likelihood of a behavior repeating.

Social Influence

How people impact one another’s thoughts, feelings, and actions.

Altruism

Selfless concern for the welfare of others.

Peer Comparisons

Evaluating oneself relative to one's peers.

Belief in Gender Differences

View that males and females exhibit distinct traits.

Childcare Quality

Refers to the level of care and education a child receives.

Situational Factors in Development

Contextual influences affecting child development outcomes.

Positive Discipline

Guiding children's behavior through understanding rather than punishment.

Parenting Stress

The stress parents experience in raising children.

Socioeconomic Status and Development

The social and economic factors impacting child development.