Developmental Psychology PSYC20008 – Vocabulary Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from Weeks 1–11 of Developmental Psychology PSYC20008, designed to aid exam revision.

Development

A lifelong, crisis-driven, multi-dimensional process covering biological, personal, and social growth.

Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development

Stage theory proposing eight age-related crises that shape personality across the lifespan.

Identity Achievement

Marcia status marked by explored options and committed choices, linked to high self-esteem and good relationships.

Identity Moratorium

Status of active exploration without commitment, often accompanied by anxiety and uncertainty.

Identity Foreclosure

Commitment without exploration, characterised by rigidity and intolerance of differing views.

Identity Diffusion

Lack of exploration or commitment, associated with apathy, depression, and risky behaviour.

Theory of Mind (ToM)

Ability to attribute mental states to oneself and others and understand how they guide behaviour.

Joint Attention

Shared focus of two individuals on an object or event, foundational for social learning.

False Belief Task

Experimental tool assessing understanding that others can hold incorrect beliefs (e.g., Sally–Anne).

Genotype

An individual’s specific genetic information that can influence observable traits.

Phenotype

Observable characteristics produced by the genotype interacting with the environment.

Chromosome

Thread-like structure of DNA and protein carrying genetic information; humans have 23 pairs.

Karyotype

Photographic representation of an individual’s chromosomes arranged in numerical order.

Autosome

Any chromosome that is not a sex chromosome (pairs 1–22).

Sex Chromosomes

Chromosome pair determining biological sex (XX female, XY male).

Klinefelter Syndrome

Chromatin abnormality with an extra X (XXY) causing physical, language, and social differences.

Chromatin

Complex of DNA, RNA, and proteins forming chromosomes.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

Double-helix molecule storing genetic instructions in sequences of nucleotides.

Nucleotide

DNA sub-unit composed of a phosphate, deoxyribose sugar, and nitrogenous base.

Complementary Base Pairing

Specific hydrogen bonding of A–T and C–G in DNA strands.

Locus

Fixed position of a gene on a chromosome.

Gene Expression

Process by which information from a gene is transcribed and translated into proteins.

Transcription

Copying DNA sequence into messenger RNA.

Translation

Decoding mRNA to assemble a chain of amino acids (protein).

Operon

Cluster of functionally related genes transcribed together under one promoter (mainly in bacteria).

Allele

Alternative form of a gene at the same locus influencing the same trait.

Homozygous

Having identical alleles at a gene locus.

Heterozygous

Having two different alleles at a gene locus.

Mutation

Permanent change in DNA sequence, source of genetic variation.

Recessive Gene Disorder

Disease expressed only when two copies of the mutant allele are present (e.g., Tay-Sachs).

Tay-Sachs Disease

Fatal autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder caused by HEXA mutations.

Huntington’s Disease

Autosomal dominant disorder due to CAG repeat expansion on chromosome 4, causing late-onset neurodegeneration.

CAG Trinucleotide Repeat

Repetition of CAG sequence in DNA; pathological expansion leads to Huntington’s disease.

Polygenic Inheritance

Trait influenced by multiple genes and often environmental factors (e.g., height, schizophrenia).

Phenylketonuria (PKU)

Autosomal recessive inability to metabolise phenylalanine; controlled by diet.

Range of Reaction

Spectrum of possible phenotypes a genotype can express across environments.

Epigenetics

Heritable, reversible changes in gene expression not involving DNA sequence alterations.

DNA Methylation

Addition of methyl groups to DNA, often silencing gene transcription.

Histone Modification

Chemical changes to histone proteins that influence chromatin structure and gene activity.

Chi-Square Test of Independence

Statistical test assessing association between two categorical variables.

Degrees of Freedom

Number of independent values that can vary in a statistical calculation.

Standardised Residual

(Observed–Expected)/√Expected value showing cell contribution in Chi-square analysis.

Period of the Zygote

First 0–14 prenatal days from conception to implantation.

Blastocyst

Ball of ~60–80 cells formed 4 days after fertilisation, precursor to embryo and support tissues.

Ectoderm

Outer embryonic layer forming skin and nervous system.

Endoderm

Inner embryonic layer developing into digestive and respiratory systems.

Mesoderm

Middle embryonic layer giving rise to muscles, skeleton, and circulatory system.

Monozygotic Twins

Identical twins arising from a single zygote splitting; share identical genetics.

Dizygotic Twins

Fraternal twins from two separate ova fertilised by different sperm.

Amnion

Fluid-filled sac cushioning the embryo/fetus and regulating temperature.

Chorion

Membrane surrounding the amnion; forms part of placenta.

Allantois

Embryonic membrane that develops into the umbilical cord.

Teratogen

Environmental agent causing prenatal developmental damage (e.g., alcohol).

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

Range of birth defects and neurodevelopmental problems due to prenatal alcohol exposure.

Sensitive Period

Time window when developing systems are especially vulnerable to environmental insults.

Neuron

Specialised nerve cell transmitting electrical and chemical signals.

Glial Cell

Support cell in nervous system aiding neurons; includes astrocytes and oligodendrocytes.

Astrocyte

Star-shaped glia that regulate chemical environment and synapse formation.

Oligodendrocyte

Glial cell that forms myelin sheaths in the central nervous system.

Schwann Cell

Peripheral nervous system glia producing myelin around axons.

Microglia

Immune-like glial cells that remove debris and toxins in the brain.

Enteric Nervous System (ENS)

‘Second brain’ of 400–600 million neurons embedded in the gastrointestinal tract.

Neurulation

Early embryonic process forming the neural tube from ectoderm.

Neurogenesis

Generation of new neurons from neural stem cells.

Neuronal Migration

Movement of neurons to their final brain locations after birth.

Arborisation

Growth and branching of dendrites increasing synaptic connections.

Myelination

Formation of fatty myelin sheath around axons to speed neural transmission.

Synaptogenesis

Creation of synapses between neurons, peaking prenatally and in early life.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death eliminating unneeded neurons.

Synaptic Pruning

Elimination of unused synapses, refining neural networks.

Experience-Dependent Plasticity

Neural reorganisation in response to individual life experiences.

Schema

Piagetian mental structure organising knowledge.

Assimilation

Incorporating new information into existing schemas.

Accommodation

Modifying schemas to fit new information.

Equilibration

Balancing assimilation and accommodation for stable understanding.

Object Permanence

Understanding that objects continue to exist when out of sight.

Conservation

Recognition that certain properties remain constant despite appearance changes.

Information Processing Theory

View of cognition as mental processes of encoding, storing, and manipulating information.

Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)

Gap between independent performance and potential performance with guidance.

Scaffolding

Supportive guidance within the ZPD provided by more knowledgeable others.

Private Speech

Self-directed talk aiding regulation and problem solving that becomes inner speech.

Functional Play

Simple repetitive movements with objects or body (first 2 years).

Pretend Play

Symbolic make-believe activity beginning ~3 years, fostering representation and ToM.

Constructive Play

Manipulating objects to build or create, enhancing planning and spatial skills.

Games with Rules

Formal play governed by fixed rules, common from ~6 years.

Atypical Play Trajectory

Developmental pattern of play differing from typical progress (e.g., in autism).

Reflex

Inborn automatic response to specific stimulation (e.g., rooting).

Moro Reflex

Startle response where infant flings arms outward and arches back.

Cephalocaudal Trend

Developmental pattern where control progresses from head downward.

Core Knowledge Theory

Perspective positing innate, domain-specific knowledge systems present at birth.

Violation-of-Expectation

Research paradigm measuring infants’ surprise at events violating core knowledge.

Shared Intentionality

Capacity to share goals, attention, and emotions with others for collaboration.

Phoneme

Smallest sound unit distinguishing meaning between words.

Categorical Perception

Tendency to perceive continuous acoustic variation as discrete phoneme categories.

Voice Onset Time (VOT)

Interval between consonant release and vocal cord vibration onset.

Child-Directed Speech (CDS)

Exaggerated, high-pitch, slow speech style adults use with young children.

Transitional Probability

Likelihood that one sound or syllable follows another in speech; aids word segmentation.

Fast Mapping

Rapid vocabulary learning after minimal exposure to a new word.

Shape Bias

Preference to extend new nouns to objects of similar shape.

Mutual Exclusivity

Assumption that each object has only one label, guiding novel word mapping.