Developmental Psychology: Theories, Research Methods, and Early Childhood Development

What is the focus of Behavioral Genetics Research?

The interaction of genes and environment in shaping behavior.

What does the term 'tabula rasa' refer to in developmental psychology?

The idea that a child is a 'blank slate' shaped by external forces, as proposed by Locke.

How does Piaget's view of child development differ from Locke's?

Piaget sees the child as a 'little scientist' who is internally driven and actively shapes their environment.

What does bi-directional influence in development mean?

It means that the child and their environment (parents, teachers, peers) influence each other.

What are the two perspectives on whether development is continuous or discontinuous?

Continuous development involves gradual, quantitative change, while discontinuous development involves abrupt, qualitative change.

What is Brofenbrenner's Bio-Ecological Theory?

A model that describes the child as nested within a series of embedded environmental systems.

What is the microsystem in Brofenbrenner's model?

The immediate environments that directly affect the child, such as family and school.

What does the mesosystem refer to?

The interrelations among different microsystems, such as the relationship between parents and teachers.

What is the exosystem?

External contexts that indirectly affect the child, like a parent's workplace.

What is the macrosystem in developmental contexts?

The larger cultural values, customs, and contexts that influence development.

What does the chronosystem encompass?

The sociohistorical and temporal context affecting development over time.

What is the difference between systemic observations and naturalistic observations?

Systemic observations are structured and controlled, while naturalistic observations occur in everyday settings.

What are the characteristics of structured (lab) observations?

They elicit behaviors in a controlled setting to study specific responses.

What is a self-report in developmental research?

A method where participants provide information about themselves through interviews or questionnaires.

What is a correlation coefficient?

A statistical measure (r) that indicates the strength and direction of a relationship between two variables.

What is the significance of a correlation not implying causation?

It indicates that just because two variables are related, one does not necessarily cause the other.

What characterizes true experiments in developmental research?

Participants are randomly assigned to conditions, and an independent variable is manipulated to observe its effect on a dependent variable.

What is a cross-sectional design in developmental research?

A study comparing different age groups at the same time to gather data quickly and efficiently.

What are the advantages of longitudinal studies?

They track real changes over time in the same individuals, allowing for better cause-and-effect conclusions.

What are the disadvantages of longitudinal studies?

They are expensive, time-consuming, and subject to participant drop-off and practice effects.

What is the germinal stage in prenatal development?

The first two weeks of development, ending with implantation in the uterine wall.

What occurs during the embryonic stage?

Rapid growth and formation of major organs and systems, with high vulnerability to teratogens.

What does the fetal stage encompass?

The period from the 8th week to birth, characterized by growth and finishing of developmental processes.

What is the Apgar score used for?

To assess the health of newborns based on appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiration.

What are the risks associated with low birth weight (LBW)?

Increased risk of physical health complications, neuro-cognitive impairments, and behavioral problems.

What is the significance of the Children of Kauai Study?

It demonstrated the importance of parental support and interventions for at-risk children.

What was the main focus of Werner's study?

To follow ~700 infants into adulthood, examining pre-/perinatal stress and early rearing environments.

What did the findings suggest about supportive environments?

A stable, supportive environment can help overcome early pre-perinatal stress and risk factors.

What percentage of children flourished despite significant early trauma?

One-third (⅓) of the children.

What was the intervention used in T. Field's touch/massage therapy studies?

Premature babies received 15-minute massages three times a day.

What were the outcomes for massaged infants by day 10?

They gained nearly 50% more weight and were discharged earlier from the hospital.

What sensory systems are present in newborns?

Taste, smell, hearing, touch, and vision.

What taste preference do fetuses show in utero?

A preference for sweet tastes.

What did the Steiner study reveal about newborn smell preferences?

Newborns smiled at sweet smells and grimaced at sour/bitter smells.

What was the result of the MacFarlane study regarding newborns and smell?

By 6 days old, ⅔ of newborns preferred their mother's breast pad over others.

How do newborns indicate auditory preferences?

By head turning and pacifier sucking.

What sound do newborns prefer?

Complex sounds, especially the human voice.

What was the method used in the 'Cat in the Hat' study?

Mothers read a story to fetuses, and newborns were tested with the same vs. different story.

What did the results of the 'Cat in the Hat' study show?

The experimental group preferred the same story they heard in utero.

What is the visual acuity of infants at birth?

Poor visual acuity (20/400) and color discrimination.

At what age do infants develop depth perception?

By 4 months.

What did the Visual Cliff study reveal about experienced crawlers?

Experienced crawlers crossed the shallow side but none crossed the deep side.

What is social referencing in infants?

Looking to caregivers for cues on how to react in uncertain situations.

Who developed the stage theory of cognitive development?

Jean Piaget.

What are the stages of Piaget's cognitive development?

Sensorimotor (0-2), Preoperational (2-7), Concrete Operational (7-12), and Formal Operational (12+).

What is object permanence?

The understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen.

What is the significance of habituation and dishabituation?

Habituation is the decrease in attention with repetition, while dishabituation is the recovery of attention to novelty.

What is the dual representation view in cognitive development?

The understanding that scale models represent both real objects and symbols.

What is the typical age for infants to produce their first words?

Around 12 months.

What is 'telegraphic speech'?

Two-word combinations that convey meaning, such as 'eat cookie' or 'Mommy hug'.

What are the features of infant-directed speech?

Higher pitch, larger pitch range, slower tempo, and exaggerated facial expressions.

What emotions emerge in infants by 6 months?

Sadness, disgust, fear, and anger.

What are the three temperament types identified in the New York Longitudinal Study?

Easy (40%), Difficult (10%), and Slow to Warm Up (15%).

What is the 'Goodness of Fit' model?

The idea that a good match between a child's temperament and their environment leads to positive outcomes.

Different cultures may value different characteristics, influencing behavior perception and parenting styles.

How do cultural values affect child-rearing practices?