Developmental Psychology Review

A comprehensive set of flashcards focusing on key vocabulary and concepts in developmental psychology based on lecture notes.

Nature vs. Nurture

The debate concerning whether human behavior is determined by heredity (nature) or environment (nurture).

Cognitive Development

The process of growth and change in intellectual capabilities that influence a person's behavior.

Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development

A theory proposing eight stages through which a healthy developing individual passes from infancy to adulthood.

Plasticity

The capacity of the brain to be influenced by experience; the degree to which development can be altered.

Psychosexual Development

Freud's theory that childhood experiences shape adult personality and behavior through distinct stages.

Attachment Theory

A psychological model that describes the dynamics of long-term interpersonal relationships between humans.

Learning Theory

A theory that emphasizes the importance of learning from the environment as a key factor in development.

Behavioral Genetics

The study of genetic influences on behavior.

Critical Period

A specific time during development when certain abilities or traits must emerge.

Theory of Mind

The recognition that others have thoughts, beliefs, desires, and intentions that are different from one's own.

Conservation

The understanding that certain properties of objects remain the same despite changes in their form or arrangement.

Empathy

The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

Observational Learning

Learning by observing others and imitating their actions.

Gender Identity

A person's intrinsic sense of being male, female, or another gender, which may not necessarily correlate with one's biological sex.

Self-Esteem

An individual's subjective evaluation of their own worth.

Socialization

The lifelong process of integrating individuals into society through education and cultural standards.

Adolescence

The developmental stage that occurs between childhood and adulthood, generally characterized by significant physical, emotional, and social changes.

Altruistic Behavior

Selfless concern for the well-being of others.

Temperament

An individual's innate personality traits that influence how they experience and react to the world.

Crisis

A crucial situation that influences the development of personality and identity according to Erikson.

Identity Foreclosure

Choosing an identity without exploring alternatives.

Nonshared Environmental Influences

Unique experiences that affect one family member differently than others.

Manipulative Control

Using behavior to affect others' emotions or reactions.

Resilience

The ability to recover quickly from difficult conditions.

Peer Pressure

Influence from peers to conform to their behaviors, attitudes, and values.

Equilibration

The process of balancing assimilation and accommodation in cognitive development.

Informed Consent

Voluntary agreement to participate in research after understanding the risks and benefits.

Challenging Situations

Contextual factors faced by individuals during their development.

Maturation

The genetically programmed process of physical and psychological development.

Cognitive Load

The total amount of mental effort being used in working memory.

Positive Reinforcement

The introduction of a desirable stimulus following a behavior to increase the likelihood of that behavior occurring again.

Operant Conditioning

A method of learning that employs rewards and punishments for behavior.

Ego Integrity

Erikson's final stage of development where individuals reflect on their lives and feel a sense of fulfillment.

Separation Anxiety

Discomfort experienced by an infant or young child when separated from their caregiver.

Developmental Milestones

Key skills or developmental behaviors that most children can perform within a certain age range.

Social Support

The perception and reality of being cared for and supported by others.

Emerging Adulthood

A phase of development typically ranging from ages 18 to 25, characterized by exploration of identity.

Multidimensionality

The view that development occurs across multiple dimensions (biological, cognitive, and psychosocial).

Sociocultural Theory

A Vygotsky theory emphasizing the role of social interaction in cognitive development.

Cognitive Dissonance

The mental discomfort experienced when holding two conflicting beliefs or values.

Identity Achievement

The adolescent has explored options and has made choices regarding their identity.

Bowlby's Attachment Styles

The different types of attachment patterns that can develop between a child and their caregiver.

Stress Coping Strategies

Methods individuals use to manage stress.

Critical Thinking

The mental process of analyzing and synthesizing information to evaluate arguments or ideas.

Life Span Perspective

The view that human development happens throughout a person's entire life.

Self-Regulation

The ability to manage one's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in different situations.

Developmental Tasks

Specific challenges individuals face at different stages of development.

Collectivism vs. Individualism

Cultural values emphasizing group goals versus individual goals respectively.

Neuroplasticity

The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections.

Developmental Psychopathology

The study of the origins and course of psychological disorders.

Heredity

The genetic transmission of characteristics from parents to offspring.

Episodic Memory

The ability to recall specific events and experiences.

Semantic Memory

The part of memory responsible for storing information about the world, concepts, and facts.

Multigenerational Families

Families that include multiple generations living together and interacting.

Postformal Thinking

A stage of cognitive development beyond Piaget's formal operations, characterized by the ability to think abstractly and accommodate for contradictions.

Expressive Language

The ability to use language to express thoughts, feelings, or ideas.

Stoicism

A school of philosophy that teaches the development of self-control and fortitude as a means to overcome destructive emotions.

Behavior Modification

A therapeutic approach to behavior change through reinforcement principles.

Readiness to Learn

The recognized state one must be in to effectively absorb and retain new information.

Adaptive Behavior

The ability to adapt to the needs of the environment.

Negative Reinforcement

The removal of an unpleasant stimulus to increase the likelihood of behavior.

Developmental Variability

Differences in development due to individual environmental and genetic factors.

Peer Relationships

Importance of interactions between individuals of similar age, which can significantly affect behaviors during development.

Chronic Health Conditions

Health issues that persist for a long time, typically over three months.

Health Promotion

Activities aimed at improving health and reducing disease.

Underextension

Using a word too restrictively; applying it to fewer objects than is usual.

Overextension

Using a word to refer to more objects than it should, exceeding the limits of an adult's usage.

Sibling Relationships

The dynamic interactions that take place between siblings that can influence individual development.

Vygotsky's Scaffolding

Support given to a learner that is tailored to their needs.

Epidemiology

The study of how diseases affect the health and illness of populations.

Dual Process Theory

The theory that asserts that all decisions are influenced by two cognitive systems, one intuitive and one analytical.

Cognitive Reflections

Thought processes that involve deep reasoning and contemplation.

National Development Goals

Ambitious global targets aimed at social, economic, and environmental progress and equity.

Stereotypes

Oversimplified and generalized beliefs about a group of people.

Marital Satisfaction

A measure of how content partners are in their marriage and relationship.

Intergenerational Relationships

The interactions between different generations of family members.

Gender Dysphoria

Psychological distress resulting from an incongruence between one's gender identity and biological sex.

Mental Health Disorders

A wide range of mental health conditions that affect mood, thinking, and behavior.

Optimal Well-being

Achieving a balance in mental, physical, and social health.

Disengagement Theory

The view that aging involves a gradual withdrawal from social engagement.

Ego Integrity vs. Despair

Erikson's final conflict in late adulthood, focusing on self-reflection and acceptance of one's life.

Transformative Learning

A process of individual change where understanding, values, and constructs are reexamined.

Chronic Illness

A long-term health condition that may not have a cure and can affect an individual's daily life.

Hope Theory

A framework that emphasizes the importance of optimism in mental and physical well-being.

Self-Discovery

The process of gaining insight into one's character.

Life Course Perspective

An approach analyzing life events through the experiences of time and environment.

Sustained Relationships

Enduring connections that provide social and emotional support over time.

Emotional Regulation

The ability to manage and respond to emotional experiences.

Learning Disability

A condition that affects the ability to learn in a typical way.

Trust vs. Mistrust

Erikson's first stage of psychosocial development, emphasizing the importance of a caregiver's responsiveness.

Reflective Learning

Learning that involves continuous thinking about the learning itself.

Coping Strategies

Methods employed to manage stress or hardship.

Behavioral Repair

Efforts to change or correct one's behaviors for improvement.

Developmental Milestones

Age-specific functional capacities or age ranges at which a child typically achieves certain skills.

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)

Activities related to living independently such as managing money, medication, and transportation.

Interpersonal Relationships

Social connections and interactions between individuals that can influence various aspects of life.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

A type of psychotherapy that helps individuals accept what is out of their personal control and commit to action that improves and enriches their life.

Cognitive Therapy

A psychological intervention that aims to improve mental health by altering dysfunctional thoughts.

Crisis Theory

The study of the psychological impact of crisis on individuals.

Phonological Awareness

The recognition of sounds in spoken words and the manipulation of these sounds.