Studied by 0 people
developmental psychology
a branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, and social change throughout the life span
zygote
the fertilized egg; it enters a 2-week period of rapid cell division and develops into an embryo
embryo
the developing human organism from about 2 weeks after fertilization through the second month
fetus
the developing human organism from 9 weeks after conception to birth
teratogens
agents, such as chemicals and viruses, that can reach the embryo or fetus during prenatal development and cause harm
fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)
physical and cognitive abnormalities in children caused by a pregnant woman's heavy drinking. In severe cases, symptoms include noticeable facial misproportions
habituation
decreasing responsiveness with repeated stimulation. As infants gain familiarity with repeated exposure to a visual stimulus, their interest wanes and they look away sooner.
maturation
biological growth processes that enable orderly changes in behavior, relatively uninfluenced by experience
schema
a concept or framework that organizes and interprets information
assimilation
interpreting our new experiences in terms of our existing schemas
accommodation
in developmental psychology, adapting our current understandings (schemas) to incorporate new information.
sensorimotor stage (Jean Piaget)
in Piaget's theory, the stage (from birth to nearly 2 years of age) during which infants know the world mostly in terms of their sensory impressions and motor activities
object permanence
the awareness that things continue to exist even when not perceived
Preoperational stage (Jean Piaget)
in Piaget's theory, the stage (from about 2 to 6 or 7 years of age) during which a child learns to use language but does not yet comprehend the mental operations of concrete logic
conservation
the principle (which Piaget believed to be a part of concrete operational reasoning) that properties such as mass, volume, and number remain the same despite changes in the forms of objects
egocentrism
in Piaget's theory, the preoperational child's difficulty taking another's point of view
theory of mind
people's ideas about their own and others' mental states—about their feelings, perceptions, and thoughts, and the behaviors these might predict.
autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
a disorder that appears in childhood and is marked by significant deficiencies in communication and social interaction, and by rigidly fixated interests and repetitive behaviors
concrete operational stage (Jean Piaget)
in Piaget's theory, the stage of cognitive development (from about 7 to 11 years of age) during which children gain the mental operations that enable them to think logically about concrete events
formal operational stage (Jean Piaget)
in Piaget's theory, the stage of cognitive development (normally beginning about age 12) during which people begin to think logically about abstract concepts
stranger anxiety
the fear of strangers that infants commonly display, beginning by about 8 months of age
attachment
an emotional tie with another person; shown in young children by their seeking closeness to the caregiver and showing distress on separation
critical period
an optimal period early in the life of an organism when exposure to certain stimuli or experiences produces normal development
imprinting (Konrad Lorenz)
the process by which certain animals form attachments during early life
temperament
a person's characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity
basic trust
according to Erik Erikson, a sense that the world is predictable and trustworthy; said to be formed during infancy by appropriate experiences with responsive caregivers
self-concept
all our thoughts and feelings about ourselves, in answer to the question, "Who am I?"
gender
in psychology, the biologically and socially influenced characteristics by which people define boy, girl, man, and woman
aggression
any physical or verbal behavior intended to harm someone physically or emotionally
gender role
a set of expected behaviors, attitudes, and traits for males or for females
role
a set of expectations (norms) about a social position, defining how those in the position ought to behave
gender identity
our sense of being male, female, or some combination of the two
social learning theory
the theory that we learn social behavior by observing and imitating and by being rewarded or punished
gender typing
the acquisition of a traditional masculine or feminine role
transgender
an umbrella term describing people whose gender identity or expression differs from that associated with their birth sex
adolescence
the transition period from childhood to adulthood, extending from puberty to independence
identity
our sense of self; according to Erikson, the adolescent's task is to solidify a sense of self by testing and integrating various roles
social identity
the "we" aspect of our self-concept; the part of our answer to "Who am I?" that comes from our group memberships
intimacy
in Erikson's theory, the ability to form close, loving relationships; a primary developmental task in young adulthood
emerging adulthood
a period from about age 18 to the mid-twenties, when many in Western cultures are no longer adolescents but have not yet achieved full independence as adults
X chromosome
The sex chromosome found in both men and women. Females have two X chromosomes; males have one. An X chromosome from each parent produces a female child.
Y chromosome
the sex chromosome typically found only in males. When paired with an X chromosome from the mother, it produces a male child.
testosterone
the most important of the male sex hormones. Both males and females have it, but the additional testosterone in males stimulates the growth of the male sex organs in the fetus and the development of the male sex characteristics during puberty
puberty
the period of sexual maturation, during which a person becomes capable of reproducing
primary sex characteristics
the body structures (ovaries, testes, and external genitalia) that make sexual reproduction possible
secondary sex characteristics
nonreproductive sexual characteristics, such as female breasts and hips, male voice quality, and body hair
menarche
the first menstrual period
AIDS (Acquired immune deficiency disorder)
a life-threatening, sexually transmitted infection caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). it depletes the immune system, leaving the person vulnerable to infections.
sexual orientation
our enduring sexual attraction, usually toward members of our own sex (homosexual orientation) or the other sex (heterosexual orientation); variations include attraction toward both sexes (bisexual orientation)
menopause
the time of natural cessation of menstruation; also refers to the biological changes a woman experiences as her ability to reproduce declines
cross-sectional study
research that compares people of different ages at the same point in time
longitudinal study
research that follows and retests the same people over time
social clock
the culturally preferred timing of social events such as marriage, parenthood, and retirement
Zone of proximal development (Lev Vygotsky)
zone between what a child can learn with and without help
Secure attachment v Insecure attachment (MaryAinsworth)
Secure attachment in adults is typically characterized by trust, stability, and a balance between intimacy and independence. Insecure attachment (anxious, avoidant, or disorganized) tends to involve emotional distance, inconsistent reactions to intimacy and conflict, and a fear of abandonment
Harry Harlow
Studied attachment in monkeys with artificial mothers
Authoritarian
a strict style of parenting that places high expectations on children; parents set rigid rules with no explanation, and expect their children to obey them without question or face severe punishment.
Permissive
a type of parenting style characterized by low demands with high responsiveness; parents tend to be very loving, yet provide few guidelines and rules. These parents do not expect mature behavior from their children and often seem more like a friend than parental figure.
Authoritative
the parents are nurturing, responsive, and supportive, yet set firm limits for their children. They attempt to control children's behavior by explaining rules, discussing, and reasoning.
Lawrence Kohlberg & 3 levels of Moral Reasoning
Kohlberg identified three levels of moral reasoning: preconventional, conventional, and postconventional. Each level has two sub-stages. People can only pass through these levels in the order listed
Erik Erickson & 8 Stages of Psychosocial Development
An individual's personality develops throughout the lifespan.
Diana Baumrind and 4 parenting styles
psychologist Diana Baumrind identified three main styles of parenting: authoritarian, authoritative and permissive. A fourth style, neglectful, was later added in the 1980s by Stanford researchers Eleanor Maccoby and John Martin
Animistic Thinking
the cognitive process of perceiving objects or abstract ideas as possessing living characteristics.
Gender Schema Theory
the theory that children learn from their cultures a concept of what it means to be male and female and that they adjust their behavior accordingly
norm
an understood rule for accepted and expected behavior. prescribe "proper" behavior.
personal space
a norm that one shouldn't intrude another's personal space
Note
Flashcard