Psychology and Human Development Concepts

Vocabulary flashcards covering key psychological theories, developmental stages, research methods, and prominent figures from the lecture notes.

Random sample

A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has a chance of inclusion.

autonomous morality

In Piaget's theory of moral development, the stage at which a person understands that people make the rules and that punishments are not automatic.

School of thought

A group of psychologists who become associated ideologically.

gender Schena theory

Theory stating that children learn from their culture what it means to be male and female.

Survey

Ascertaining the self-reported behaviors of a particular group.

Control Variable

A constant variable during an experiment.

Theory

A hypothesis that has been tested with significant data.

Stage theory

A theory of development characterized by periods of life.

Pre Conventional reasoning

Stage of reasoning where a child acts to avoid a punishment.

Convenience Sample

A sample chosen most easily.

William James

Associated with Functionalism; stated that humans use perception to function in society.

heteronomous morality

In Piaget's theory (ages 4-7), the stage where rules are viewed as unchangeable.

naturalistic observation

Observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation.

Accommodation

Adapting one's current understanding to incorporate new info.

Kohlberg

Studied moral development using situations such as one where a poor man has a poor wife.

Evolutionary psych

The study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection.

Titchner

Associated with Structuralism; used introspection to reveal the structure of the human mind and trained individuals to report experiences.

Private Speech (Vygotsky)

Self-talk learners use to monitor and guide themselves as they work through a problem.

Posconventional reasoning

Reasoning stage where one starts looking and exploring why laws and rules are in place and the ethics behind it.

Operational definition

What you decide to measure in a study.

Assimilation

Interpreting our new experiences in terms of our existing schemas.

Concrete operational stage

In Piaget's theory of cognitive development (ages 6-11), the stage during which children gain operations that enable them to think logically about concrete events.

psycho analytic theory

Psychological theory associated with Freud.

preoperational theory (Stage)

Cognitive development stage (ages 2-7) where a child does not understand concrete logic.

Scientific method

A logical, systematic approach to the solution of a scientific problem.

Social cognitive theory

Theory referring to the use of cognitive processes in relation to understanding the social world.

Zone of proximal development

Phase of learning where children benefit from instruction.

Schena

A concept or framework that organizes and interprets info.

Lev Vygotsky

Investigated child development and how culture and interpersonal communication guide development, including the Zone of Proximal development.

John Watson

Associated with behaviorism, placing emphasis on external behaviors of people and their reactions.

Conventional reasoning

Stage of moral reasoning where a child looks for approval from peers and society.

Wundt

had the first psychological lab

Niesser

viewed the mind as a computer

confounding variable

a factor that might produce an effect on an experiment

formal operations

Piaget’s theory ages 12-adult where people start thinking about concepts abstractly

social role theory

gender differences result from contrasting roles of men and women

Scaffolding

temporary support that is tailored to a learners needs and abilities aimed at helping them learn faster

data

used to support statements

Maslows Heirarchy of needs

psychological needs-safety-belonging and love-esteem-self actualization

case study

study of an individual in great detail

paradign

belonging to the same school of thought