Lifespan Development

A collection of flashcards covering key concepts and theories in lifespan development psychology.

Lifespan Development

The study of how individuals change and remain the same throughout their lives.

Physical Development

Growth and changes in the body and brain, including senses, motor skills, and health.

Cognitive Development

Learning processes involving attention, memory, language, reasoning, and creativity.

Psychosocial Development

Development that utilizes emotions, personality, and social relationships.

Normative Approach

A method that studies large numbers of children to establish average developmental milestones.

Continuous Development

A perspective that views development as a cumulative process, gradually improving skills.

Discontinuous Development

A perspective that views development as occurring in distinct stages or ages.

Nature vs Nurture

A debate regarding the relative contributions of genetics and environment to human development.

Psychosexual Theory

Sigmund Freud's theory which posits that childhood experiences shape adult personality and behavior.

Psychosocial Theory

Erik Erikson's theory suggesting that personality develops across the lifespan through social interactions.

Attachment

A long-standing bond formed between an infant and caregiver.

Secure Attachment

When a child uses the caregiver as a secure base and feels distressed when separated.

Avoidant Attachment

When a child is unresponsive to the caregiver and does not seek comfort upon reunion.

Erikson's Stages of Development

Eight stages highlighting psychosocial tasks encountered throughout the lifespan.

Piaget's Stages of Cognitive Development

Four stages of cognitive growth: Sensorimotor, Preoperational, Concrete Operational, and Formal Operational.

Cognitive Empathy

The ability to understand others' perspectives and feel concern for them.

Emerging Adulthood

A developmental period from ages 18 to mid-20s where identity exploration occurs.

Fluid Intelligence

The ability to reason and process information rapidly, which tends to decline with age.

Crystalized Intelligence

Information and skills acquired through experience, which remains stable or improves with age.

Teratogen

An environmental agent that causes malformation or damage to the embryo or fetus.

Fetal-Alcohol Syndrome

A collection of birth defects caused by heavy alcohol consumption during pregnancy.