psyc ch3

developmental psychology

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

cross-sectional study

Research that compares people of different ages at the same point in time

longitudinal study

Research that follows and retests the same people over time.

chromosomes

threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that have genes

DNA

molecule with genetic info making up chromosomes

genes

biochemical units of heredity that make up chromosomes; segments of dna

heredity

genetic transfer of characteristics from parents of offspring

genome

complete instructions for making an organism, with all genetic material in that organism’s chromosome

environment

every external influence, from pranatal nutrition to social support in later life

interaction

inerplay that happens when effect of one factor (like environment) depends on another factor (like heredity)

epigenetics

study of molecular ways by which environments can influence gene expression (without DNA change)

zygote

fertilized egg; enters 2-week period of rapid cell division and develops into an embryo

embryo

developing human organism from about 2 weeks after fertilization through second month

fetus

developing human organism frmo 9 weeks after conception to birth

teratogens

agents that can reach embryo or fetus during prenatal development and cause harm

fetal alcohol syndrome

physical and mental function deficits in kids caused by birth mother’s heavy drinking during pregnancy

can have small, disproportionate head and distinct facial features

reflex

simple automatic response to sensory stimulus like knee-jerk response

temperament

person’s characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity

identical (monozygotic) twins

individs who developed from single fertilized egg that split in two; genetically identical

fraternal (dizygotic) twins

individs from separate fertilized eggs

maturation

biological growth processes leading to orderly changes in behavior, mostly indep of experience

critical period

period early in life when exposure to certain stimuli or experiences is needed for proper development

cognition

all mental activities associated with thinking knowing, remembering, communicating

schema

concept or framework that organizes and interprets info

assimilation

interpreting our new experiences in terms of our existing schemas

accomodation

adapting our current schemas to incorporate new info

sensorimotor stage

stage where infants know world mostly in terms of their sensory impressions and motor activities

object permanence

awareness that things continue to exist even when not perceived

preoperational stage

• 2-7 yrs old

• child learns to use language but can’t yet perform mental operations of concrete logic

egocentrism

preoperational child; can’t take another’s POV

concrete operational stage

• 7-11 yrs old

• mental operations to think logically abt concrete event

conservation

properties like mass, volume, number remain the same despite changes in shapes

formal operational stage

people think logically about abstract concepts

scaffold

Vygotsky; framework that offers kids temp support as they develop higher levels of thinking

theory of mind

people’s ideas about their own and others’ mental states—about feelings, perceptions, thoughts, and behaviors these might predict

stranger anxiety

fear of strangers that infants commonly display, beginning bt 8 mo of age

attachment

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

basic trust

• Erik Erikson

• sense that world is predictable and trustworthy

• formed during infancy by appropriate experiences with response caregivers

adolescence

transition period from childhood to adulthood, going from puberty to indep

puberty

period of sexual maturation, can reproduce

identity

• sense of self

• Erikson; adolescent’s task to solidify sense of self by testing and blending various roles

social identity

• ‘we’ aspect of our self-concept

• part of ‘who am I’ answer coming from group membership

intimacy

• Erikson: ability to form close, loving relationships

• primary developmental task in early adulthood

emerging adulthood

period from age 18 to mid-20s; no longer adolescents but not yet fully independent adults

menopause

end of menstruation

social clock

culturally preferred timing of social events like marriage, parenthood, retirement