Unit 2 AOS 1 SAC: Chapter 7 only

Flashcards for SAC

Lifespan:

The amount of time for which a person is alive.

Development:

The series of orderly, predicatable changes that occur from fertilisation until death. Development can be physical, social, emotional and intellectual.

Stages of the human lifespan:

Prenatal→ Infancy→ Early childhood→ Late childhood→ Youth→ Early adulthood→ Middle adulthood→ Late adulthood

Prenatal stage

Conception until birth (approximately 38 weeks). Begins with the fusing of a sperm and egg cell (called fertilisation) to form one complete cell, called a zygote. This is the fastest growth period of the entire human lifesspan. This is when body structures and organs develop.

Infancy

Begins at birth and lasts around two years. A period of rapid growth and many changes, including motor skill development, emotional development such as tantrums, and learning to identify familiar people.

Developmental milestones:

The average age at which a child achieves skills such as crawling, or standing, or saying its first words.

Childhood

Begins at the age of two and lasts until age 12. Divided into two stages — early childhood (2-6 years) and late childhood (6-12) — due to the substantial development that occurs across this period. During early childhood, it is slow and steady growth, but social skills are developed a lot quicker. In Late childhood, growth is still slow and steady, but skills such as writing, developing long-term memory, and refining motor skills occur.

Puberty

Biological changes that occur during youth and prepare the individual for sexual reproduction.

Youth

A transitional period between childhood and adulthood, from the ages of 12-18 years old. It is characterised by rapid physical growth, puberty, increased independence, the development of complex relationships, and working toward long-term life goals.

Adulthood

The longest stage of the lifespan, beginning at the age of 18 and continuing until death. It is divided into early adulthood (18-40), middle adulthood (40-65), and late adulthood (65+). Key characteristics include physical maturity, career development, establishing family units, and navigating life transitions like retirement.

Physical development

Changes to the body and its systems. These can be changes in size (i.e. growth), complexity (for example, the increase in complexity of the brain) and motor skills (for example, learning to walk). Sub-areas: Growth; Changes to body systems; Motor skills (fine and gross motor skills).

Motor skills development

The process of gaining control over muscles, progressing from uncoordinated movements in infancy to deliberate movement.

Gross motor skills and Fine motor skills

Gross motor skills involve larger muscle groups for example running and throwing. While fine motor skills involve smaller muscles groups for example writing and cutting with scissors.

Primary sex characterisitcs

Apart of changes to body systems and is where body parts that are directly involved in reproduction and form genitals and organs of reproduction.

Secondary sex characteristics

Apart of changes of body systems and is when there are traits arising from changes in both males and females at puberty. They are neither directly related to reproduction.

Social development

The increasing complexity of behaviour patterns used in relationships with other people. Sub-areas: Behaviours, Social roles and expectations, Communication skills, Relationship skills.

Intimate relationships

Apart of social roles and expectations and is an interpersonal relationship that involves physical or emotional closeness.

Emotional development

Relates to experiencing the full range of emotions, and increasing complexity relating to the expression of emotions, the development of a self-concept and resilience. Sub-areas: Developing self-concept (how a person sees themselves), Experiencing full range of emotions, Building resilience, learning appropriate ways of expressing and communicating emotions.

Resilience

The ability to effectively deal with adverse or negative events that occur throughout life.

Intellectual development

The increase in complexity of processes in the brain, such as thought, knowledge and memory. Also known as cognitive development. Sub-areas: Attention, Knowledge and memory, Language, Thought patterns and problem solving, Creativity and imagination.

Concrete thought

Apart of thought patterns and problem solving, its a simple thought process that centres on objects and the physical environment.

Abstract thought

Apart of thought patterns and problem solving, its a complex thought process where ideas are the focus rather than physical objects.

Narcissistic

A perception of youth, In this context, refers to having an over-afiliated sense of self importance. However, narcissim can also be part of diagnosed mental health condition.