Development Through the Lifespan: Chapter 5

These flashcards cover key concepts and vocabulary from the lecture notes on human development from prenatal stages through adulthood.

Developmental Psychology

A branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, and social development throughout the lifespan.

Nature vs. Nurture

A major debate in developmental psychology concerning the relative importance of genetics (nature) and environment (nurture) in human development.

Continuity vs. Stages

The discussion over whether development occurs gradually (continuity) or through distinct stages.

Stability vs. Change

The examination of whether personality traits remain stable over time or change as individuals grow.

Prenatal Development

The stages of development that occur from conception to birth, including zygote, embryo, and fetus.

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 function deficits in children caused by their mother's heavy drinking during pregnancy.

Attachment

An emotional tie with others; shown in young children by their seeking closeness to caregivers and showing distress on separation.

Imprinting

The process by which certain animals form strong attachments during early life.

Cognitive Development

All the mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating.

Schema

A concept or framework that organizes and interprets information.

Object Permanence

The awareness that things continue to exist even when not perceived.

Egocentrism

In Piaget's theory, the preoperational child's difficulty taking another's point of view.

Conservation

The principle that properties such as mass, volume, and number remain the same despite changes in the forms of objects.

Identity

Our sense of self; the adolescent's task is to solidify a sense of self by testing and integrating various roles.

Social Clock

The culturally preferred timing of social events such as marriage, parenthood, and retirement.

Neurocognitive Disorders

Acquired disorders marked by cognitive deficits, often related to Alzheimer’s disease or brain injury.

Alzheimer’s Disease

A neurocognitive disorder marked by neural plaques and progressive decline in memory and cognitive abilities.