Developmental Psychology 1 & 2

What is the central question of developmental psychology?

To understand how and why people change and stay the same over time.

Which three broad domains of development are interdependent?

Physical (including neural), cognitive (including intellectual), and social (including emotional).

Why is developmental psychology useful to health professionals?

It helps identify normal development, recognise when development goes wrong, tailor interventions to developmental stages, and understand factors influencing continuity and change.

Define ‘nature vs. nurture’ in developmental psychology.

The debate over the extent to which genetics (nature) and environment (nurture) influence human development.

What does epigenetics study?

How environmental factors influence gene expression without altering DNA sequences.

Give an example of a trait strongly influenced by nature and one influenced by both nature and nurture.

Physical size/appearance (nature); intelligence/personality (both).

What is a sensitive or critical period?

A limited span in which the brain is especially prepared to acquire a function; missing key experiences then can hinder full development.

Differentiate stability and change in development.

Stability refers to traits or behaviours that stay consistent; change refers to gains or losses in behaviours or functions across time.

Contrast continuous and discontinuous change.

Continuous change is gradual and cumulative; discontinuous change is stage-like, with qualitatively different phases in a fixed order.

Describe Bronfenbrenner’s microsystem.

The immediate surroundings (family, friends, teachers) that directly interact with the individual.

What is the chronosystem in Bronfenbrenner’s model?

The dimension that captures changes and transitions in the individual’s environment over time.

Define normative and non-normative life events.

Normative events occur at expected ages for most people; non-normative events are atypical or unexpected and may alter developmental trajectories.

Give a quantitative difference example in development.

Individuals with intellectual disability progress through typical stages but at a slower pace.

Give a qualitative difference example in development.

Autistic individuals develop social and emotional skills in a distinct manner from typically-developing peers.

What research design combines cross-sectional and longitudinal methods?

Sequential (or cohort-sequential) design.

List Piaget’s two key processes for adapting schemas.

Assimilation and accommodation.

Define assimilation (Piaget).

Incorporating new experiences into existing schemas.

Define accommodation (Piaget).

Modifying existing schemas to fit new experiences.

What causes ‘disequilibrium’ in Piaget’s theory?

An imbalance between existing schemas and new experiences, prompting accommodation.

Summarise Piaget’s view of the child as a learner.

Children are active thinkers who construct knowledge by interacting with their environment (constructivism).

According to Vygotsky, what drives cognitive development?

Social interaction and learning through contact with more knowledgeable others.

Name the first five periods of development discussed in the lecture.

Prenatal (conception-birth), Infancy & Toddlerhood (0-2 yrs), Early Childhood (2-6 yrs), Middle Childhood (6-11 yrs), Adolescence (11-18 yrs).

List three factors that can create continuity in development.

Biological characteristics, self-selection/shaping of environments, and cumulative effects of experiences.

Why can understanding developmental stage improve clinical interactions?

Interventions, communication, and expectations can be tailored to match the client’s cognitive, emotional, and social capacities.

What is meant by ‘development as a trajectory’?

Viewing development as a life-long path, with earlier experiences influencing later outcomes.

What is temperament?

Biologically based individual differences in emotional reactivity and self-regulation.

What are the three temperament types defined by Thomas & Chess (1977)?

Easy, Difficult, and Slow to Warm Up.

What are characteristics of an 'easy' temperament?

Adaptable, regular routines, mild emotional reactions.

What are characteristics of a 'difficult' temperament?

Irregular, intense emotions, not easily soothed.

What are characteristics of a 'slow to warm up' temperament?

Low activity level, withdraws from new situations, needs time to adapt.

What influences temperament?

Genetics, parenting style, and culture.

What is attachment?

An enduring emotional bond between an infant and caregiver.

Who developed the attachment theory?

John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth.

What is Erikson’s first psychosocial stage?

Trust vs. Mistrust.

According to Bowlby, what is a secure base?

A caregiver who provides safety for exploration and development.

What did Harlow’s monkey study demonstrate?

Infants prefer comfort over nourishment, highlighting importance of emotional security.

What is the Strange Situation procedure?

A laboratory method developed by Ainsworth to assess attachment in infants.

How many attachment classifications are identified in the Strange Situation?

Four: Secure, Avoidant, Anxious-Ambivalent, and Disorganised.

What characterizes a secure attachment?

Distressed when caregiver leaves, quickly soothed upon return.

What characterizes an avoidant attachment?

Little distress on separation, avoids caregiver on return.

What characterizes an anxious-ambivalent attachment?

Extremely distressed, hard to soothe, ambivalent toward caregiver.

What characterizes a disorganised attachment?

Contradictory, confused behaviours, often linked with neglect or trauma.

Why is caregiver responsiveness important?

It teaches infants the world is safe and needs will be met.

What are factors that help caregiver responsiveness?

Support network, parenting knowledge, low stress.

What are factors that hinder caregiver responsiveness?

Mental illness, substance abuse, chronic stress.

What is 'serve and return' interaction?

Bidirectional interactions (e.g., eye contact, speech) between caregiver and child.

Why is 'serve and return' important?

Builds brain architecture and supports social/emotional development.

What are Baumrind’s four parenting styles?

Authoritarian, Authoritative, Permissive, Disengaged.

What is the Authoritarian parenting style?

Strict, low warmth, demands obedience without explanation.

What is the Authoritative parenting style?

Demanding but responsive, explains rules, supportive.

What is the Permissive parenting style?

Lenient, few rules, indulgent.

What is the Disengaged parenting style?

Neglectful, emotionally uninvolved.

How do parenting styles differ across cultures?

Parenting values and outcomes vary by cultural norms and expectations.

What are internal working models?

Mental representations of self and others based on early attachment.

How does early attachment influence adulthood?

Affects trust, communication, self-esteem, and relationships.