Cognitive Development and Normality Unit 1

Abstract thinking

Ability to utilize hypothetical-deductive reasoning and imagine non-concrete ideas

Adaptive behaviour

Actions that allow someone to adjust to an environment and function effectively

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Developmental disorder affecting social interaction, communication, learning, and behaviour

Centration

Tendency to focus on one object aspect while neglecting others

Classification

Ability to categorize objects or ideas based on shared characteristics

Concrete operational stage

Cognitive development from 7-12 years. Conservation and classification.

Conservation

Understanding that properties stay the same even if appearance changes

Culturally responsive practices

Acting in ways that respect and understand diverse cultural beliefs and needs

Egocentric thinking

Inability to differentiate between one's own perspective and that of others

Formal operational stage

Cognitive development from 12 years to adulthood. Abstract thinking and reason and logic.

Functional approach

Normality defined by ability to cope with demands of everyday life

Goal-directed behaviour

Intentional, purposeful action where infants combine schemas to achieve a desired outcome

Historical approach

Normality defined by what is acceptable during specific historical periods

Maladaptive behaviour

Actions that make someone unable to adapt to an environment appropriately

Medical approach

Abnormality defined by underlying biological causes and diagnosable symptoms

Mental wellbeing

Psychological state involving ability to think, process information, and regulate emotions

Neurodivergent

Individual whose brain development or functioning differs from the typical

Neurotypicality

Neurological and cognitive functioning that is typical or expected

Object permanence

Understanding that objects continue to exist even when not perceived

Psychiatrist

Doctor specializing in diagnosis and medical treatment of mental disorders

Psychologist

Professionally trained individual who diagnoses and provides therapy for mental wellbeing

Reversibility

Ability to mentally reverse a sequence of events back to starting points

Situational approach

Normality based on what is acceptable in different contexts

Socio-cultural approach

Normality defined by codes relating to social and cultural context

Statistical approach

Normality based on how the majority of people think, feel, and behave

Sensorimotor stage

Cognitive development from 0 to 2 years, object permanence and goal directed behaviour.

Pre-operational stage

Cognitive development from 2 to 7 years, characterized by egocentric thinking, reversibility, and centration

Neurodiversity

Variations in neurological development and functioning between groups of people