Psychology Chapter 9.3 Stages of Development

Conception

When a sperm fertilizes an egg and forms a zygote.

Zygote

Structure created when a sperm and egg merge at conception; begins as a single cell and rapidly divides to form the embryo and placenta.

Mitosis

Process of cell division.

Embryo

Multi-cellular organism in its early stages of development.

Placenta

Structure connected to the uterus that provides nourishment and oxygen to the developing baby.

Prenatal Care

Medical care during pregnancy that monitors the health of both the mother and the fetus.

Teratogen

Biological, chemical, or physical environmental agent that causes damage to the developing embryo or fetus.

Critical (Sensitive) Period

Time during fetal growth when specific parts or organs develop.

Motor Skills

Ability to move our body and manipulate objects.

Fine Motor Skills

Use of muscles in fingers, toes, and, eyes to coordinate small actions.

Gross Motor Skills

Use of large muscle groups to control arms and legs for large body movements.

Attachment

Long-standing connection or bond with others.

Secure Base

Parental presence that gives the infant/toddler a sense of safety as he explores his surroundings.

Secure Attachment

Characterized by the child using the parent as a secure base from which to explore.

Avoidant Attachment

Characterized by child's unresponsiveness to parent, does not use the parent as a secure base, and does not care if parent leaves.

Resistant Attachment

Characterized by the child's tendency to show clingy behavior and rejection of the parent when she attempts to interact with the child.

Disorganized Attachment

Characterized by the child's odd behavior when faced with the parent; type of attachment seen most often with kids that are abused.

Authoritative Parenting Style

Parents give children reasonable demands and consistent limits, express warmth and affection, and listen to the child's point of view.

Authoritarian Parenting Style

Parents place a high value on conformity and obedience, are often rigid, and express little warmth to the child.

Permissive Parenting Style

Parents make few demands and rarely use punishment

Uninvolved Parenting Style

Parents are indifferent, uninvolved, and sometimes referred to as neglectful; they don't respond to the child's needs and make relatively few demands.

Temperament

Innate traits that influence how one thinks, beehaves, and reacts with the environment.

Adolescence

Period of development that begins at puberty and ends at early adulthood

Adrenarche

Maturing of the adrenal glands.

Gonadarche

maturing of the sex glands

Menarche

Beginning of menstrual period; around 12-13 years old.

Primary Sexual Characteristics

Organs specifically needed for reproduction.

Secondary Sexual Characteristics

Physical sighs of sexual maturation that do not directly involve sex organs.

Spermarche

First male ejaculation

Cognitive Empathy

Ability to take the perspective of others and to feel concern for others.

Emerging Adulthood

Newly defined period of lifespan development from 18 years old to the mid-20s; young people are taking longer to complete college, get a job, get married, and start a family.

Socioemotional Selectivity Theory

Social support / friendships dwindle in number, but remain as close, if not more close than in earlier years.

Hospice

Service that provides a death with dignity; pain management in a humane and confortable environment; usually outside of a hospital setting.

Newborn Reflexes

Inborn automatic response to a particular form of stimulation that all healthly babies are born with.