AP Psychology unit 9

Developmental Psychology

Examines physical, cognitive, and social development across the lifespan.

Nature vs. Nurture

Interaction between genetics and environment in development.

Continuity vs. Stages

Debate on whether development is gradual or occurs in distinct stages.

Stability vs. Change

Investigates what aspects of personality remain stable and what changes over time.

Zygote

Fertilized egg that undergoes rapid cell division during the first 0-2 weeks.

Embryo

Stage of development from 2-9 weeks where inner cells form the embryo and outer cells form the placenta.

Teratogens

Harmful agents that can negatively affect prenatal development.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

Physical and cognitive abnormalities in a child caused by heavy drinking during pregnancy.

Rooting Reflex

Infant's instinct to turn head and open mouth when touched on the cheek, searching for a nipple.

Habituation

Decreased response to repeated stimuli, indicating learning and familiarity.

Maturation

Biologically programmed sequence of growth and development influenced by experience.

Object Permanence

Understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are not visible, developing around 6-8 months.

Egocentrism

Difficulty in seeing the world from another's perspective, typical in the Preoperational stage.

Conservation

Understanding that quantity remains the same despite changes in shape, evident in the Concrete Operational stage.

Attachment

An emotional bond with a caregiver that involves seeking closeness and showing distress upon separation.

Secure Attachment

Attachment style where the child explores freely, is distressed by separation, and seeks comfort when the caregiver returns.

Insecure Attachment

Attachment style characterized by anxiety or avoidance towards the caregiver.

Critical Period

A limited time window for certain events to occur for proper development.

Social Learning Theory

Theory explaining that children acquire gender identity by imitating others and learning social roles.

Gender Schema

A cognitive framework that organizes characteristics and roles associated with gender.

Identity

Our sense of self; in adolescence, involves testing and integrating various roles.

Emerging Adulthood

A stage spanning late teens to mid-twenties, bridging adolescence dependence with adulthood.

Terminal Decline

Memory deterioration that is associated with aging.

Social Clock

Culturally preferred timing of major life events (e.g., marriage, parenthood, retirement).