Unit 6: Developmental Psychology - Prenatal and Childhood Social Development

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers prenatal development stages, genetic and environmental disruptions during pregnancy, Erikson's psychosocial stages, attachment theories, and Baumrind's parenting styles.

Developmental Psychology

The study of how our psychology changes from beginning to end of life, including specific focus on infant, child, adolescent, adult, and elderly psychology.

The Germinal Stage

The prenatal stage of development occurring in the first $0-2$ weeks where the zygote is a group of rapidly dividing cells.

Zygote

A mass of cells during the first $0-2$ weeks of prenatal development; its sex is determined by the sperm (if sperm contains $X$ chromosome, sex is $XX$; if $Y$ chromosome, sex is $XY$).

Phenylketonuria (PKU)

A genetic disorder beginning in the germinal stage where the individual cannot produce enzymes to digest proteins.

Down syndrome

A developmental disorder caused by trisomy $21$, or three of chromosome pair $21$ instead of two, resulting in delayed physical growth and intellectual disability.

The Embryonic Stage

The prenatal stage of development from $3-8$ weeks where the embryo develops a forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain, and the placenta and umbilical cord form.

Teratogens

Harmful environmental substances, such as alcohol and tobacco, that can lead to developmental issues if ingested by a pregnant parent.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Neurological and physical impairments caused by a pregnant parent ingesting alcohol during the embryonic or fetal stages.

The Fetal Stage

The prenatal stage of development from $9$ weeks to birth where sex organs differentiate, hearing develops, and brain, muscles, and bones grow rapidly.

Erik Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development

A theory stating that children go through four distinct internal social conflicts as they mature, resulting in either a psychological strength or challenge.

Trust vs. Mistrust

The phase of psychosocial development during infancy ($0-1.5$ years) where babies learn if the world is welcoming through consistent care or dangerous through neglect.

Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt

The phase of psychosocial development during early childhood ($1-4$ years) where toddlers learn to meet physical needs independently or feel dependent and ashamed.

Initiative vs. Guilt

The phase of psychosocial development during the "Play" age ($2-4$ years) where children learn to explore and do things "their way" or feel their voice is not valid.

Industry vs. Inferiority

The phase of psychosocial development during school age ($5-6$ years) where children compare themselves to peers and learn to apply effort or feel unsuccessful.

Mary Ainsworth’s Attachment Theory

A theory based on the Strange Situation Test proposing that infants develop one of three possible types of attachment based on temperament and parental behavior.

Secure Attachment

An attachment style (Style B) where the infant feels trusting and reliant upon the caregiver, often calming down after the caregiver returns from absence.

Insecure-Avoidant Attachment

An attachment style (Style A) where the infant remains distant from and shows little interest in the caregiver.

Insecure-Resistant Attachment

An attachment style (Style C) where the infant experiences intense distress when the caregiver is gone but remains distant upon their return.

Temperament

The concept by Alexander Thomas and Stella Chess that children are born with a specific nature, categorized as easy, slow-to-warm, or difficult.

Harry Harlow’s Monkey Experiments

Experiments involving wire and cloth "mothers" which found that infant attachment to a caregiver is based more on comfort than nourishment.

Konrad Lorenz’s Theory of Imprinting

The theory that there is a critical period during which an infant connects with and attaches to their primary caregiver.

Authoritative Parenting

A parenting style characterized by high warmth and high demand; parents explain rules and show care, resulting in happy, confident, and socially skilled children.

Authoritarian Parenting

A parenting style characterized by low warmth and high demand; parents set strict rules with harsh punishments and no explanations, often leading to angry or passive children.

Permissive Parenting

A parenting style characterized by high warmth and low demand; parents give care easily but do not follow through with rules, often leading to undisciplined or self-involved children.

Uninvolved/Neglectful Parenting

A parenting style characterized by low warmth and low demand; parents are absent or distant, often resulting in children who are anxious or emotionally withdrawn.