Cognitive Development

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from cognitive development, related theories, research methods, and parenting styles in psychology.

Cognitive Development

The scientific study of how people change physically, cognitively, socially, and emotionally from infancy through old age.

Stages of development

Distinct segments of an organism’s life with sharp differences or discontinuities between them.

Qualitative changes

Abrupt changes in physiology from one stage to the next.

Quantitative changes

Gradual changes in the amount or degree of functioning.

Longitudinal research design

A research method that involves repeated observations of the same variables over long periods.

Cross-sectional research design

A research method that compares different groups at one point in time.

Sequential research design

A research approach that combines both longitudinal and cross-sectional methods.

Piaget's theory

A theory explaining how children's thinking changes as they develop through stages.

Sensorimotor stage

The first stage in Piaget's theory, spanning from birth to 2 years, where knowledge is developed through senses and actions.

Preoperational stage

The second stage in Piaget's theory, from 2 to 7 years, where children use symbols but struggle with perspective-taking.

Concrete operational stage

The third stage in Piaget's theory, from 7 to 12 years, where children think logically about concrete objects.

Formal operational stage

The fourth stage in Piaget's theory, starting at 12 years, where individuals can think abstractly and logically.

Moral dilemmas

Situations in which a person must decide between conflicting ethical principles.

Parenting Styles

Different approaches caregivers take in raising children, categorized by responsiveness and demandingness.

Authoritarian parenting

A style where parents are demanding but not responsive, leading to obedient but less happy children.

Authoritative parenting

An ideal style where parents are both responsive and demanding, often resulting in self-reliant and curious children.

Permissive parenting

A style characterized by high responsiveness but low demands, leading to high self-confidence but low self-control.

Disengaged parenting

A style where parents are neither responsive nor demanding, leading to negative outcomes in children's development.