COUN 5000 Midterm Study Guide: Lifespan Development Chapters 1–8

What is the definition of Lifespan Development?

The scientific study of the patterns of growth, change, and stability that occur throughout a person's life, from conception until death.

What are the three major areas of development in Lifespan Development?

Physical development, cognitive development, and personality and social development.

What is an example of physical development?

Changes in height, weight, motor skills, and puberty.

What is an example of cognitive development?

Learning to speak or remembering information.

What is an example of personality and social development?

Developing friendships or forming an identity.

What are the age ranges for the prenatal period?

Conception to birth.

What age range defines infancy and toddlerhood?

Birth to 3 years.

What is the age range for adolescence?

12 to 20 years.

What is the proposed developmental period between adolescence and established adulthood?

Emerging adulthood, typically ages 18-25.

What are age-graded influences?

Biological and environmental influences that are strongly related to chronological age.

Give an example of a history-graded influence.

Growing up during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What are sociocultural-graded influences?

Influences related to an individual's cultural background, ethnicity, social class, or membership in social groups.

What are non-normative life events?

Unusual events that significantly influence an individual's development but do not typically occur to everyone at a particular age.

What is the nature versus nurture debate?

The debate concerning the relative contributions of biological inheritance (nature) and environmental experiences (nurture) to development.

What does 'nature' refer to in the context of development?

Genetically determined characteristics and biological influences.

What does 'nurture' refer to in the context of development?

Environmental influences and experiences.

What is continuous development?

Development that occurs gradually through small, cumulative changes.

What is discontinuous development?

Development that occurs through distinct stages characterized by qualitative differences.

What is a critical period?

A specific developmental window during which a particular event or environmental influence must occur for normal development.

What is the difference between a critical period and a sensitive period?

A critical period requires a specific experience within a window, while a sensitive period is a time when development is especially responsive to experience.

Who are the major theorists associated with the psychodynamic perspective?

Sigmund Freud and Erik Erikson.

What does the id represent in Freud's theory?

The part of the personality that operates according to the pleasure principle.

What does the ego represent in Freud's theory?

The part of the personality that operates according to the reality principle.

What does the superego represent in Freud's theory?

The part of the personality that represents internalized moral standards.

What is an example of a non-normative life event?

Losing a parent during childhood.

What is the age range for middle adulthood?

40 to 65 years.

What is the age range for late adulthood?

65 years to death.

What is the significance of cohort effects?

They refer to the shared experiences of a group of people born around the same time.

What are the five psychosexual stages proposed by Freud?

Oral, Anal, Phallic, Latency, Genital

How many psychosocial stages did Erikson propose?

Eight psychosocial stages

What is the focus of the Behavioral Perspective in psychology?

Observable behavior and learning through environmental experiences

Who is associated with classical conditioning?

John Watson

What is operant conditioning and who is it associated with?

Behavior increases because it is rewarded; associated with B. F. Skinner

What is observational learning and who proposed it?

Learning through observation and imitation; proposed by Albert Bandura

What does the Cognitive Perspective examine?

How people think, understand, remember, and process information

What are the stages of cognitive development proposed by Jean Piaget?

Cognitive development occurs through stages

What is the Humanistic Perspective focused on?

Free will, personal growth, and potential for self-determination

What is Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs?

A theory that prioritizes human needs from basic to self-actualization

What does the Contextual Perspective emphasize?

The influence of social, cultural, and historical environments

What are the five environmental systems in Bronfenbrenner's bioecological approach?

Microsystem, Mesosystem, Exosystem, Macrosystem, Chronosystem

What is the primary focus of the Evolutionary Perspective?

How inherited characteristics and behaviors contribute to survival and adaptation

What is a gene?

The basic unit of heredity containing genetic instructions

What is DNA?

The molecule containing genetic information

What is a chromosome?

A structure containing DNA and genes

What is the difference between monozygotic and dizygotic twins?

Monozygotic twins originate from one zygote; dizygotic twins originate from two separate zygotes

What determines the sex of a child in typical chromosomal sex determination?

XX = female, XY = male; the sperm determines the combination

What is a genotype?

An individual's genetic makeup

What is a phenotype?

Observable characteristics resulting from genetic and environmental influences

What is a dominant allele?

An allele that can influence a trait when only one copy is present

What is a recessive allele?

An allele whose effects are expressed when two copies are present

What is polygenic inheritance?

Inheritance where multiple genes contribute to a particular characteristic

What is Phenylketonuria (PKU)?

An inherited metabolic disorder affecting the body's ability to process phenylalanine

What is Down Syndrome?

Usually caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21, associated with intellectual and developmental differences

What is Sickle-Cell Anemia?

An inherited blood disorder affecting hemoglobin, causing sickle-shaped red blood cells

What is Klinefelter Syndrome?

Usually involves an XXY chromosome pattern, associated with differences in sexual development

What is Turner Syndrome?

Usually involves the absence of one X chromosome, often represented as 45,X

What is the purpose of first-trimester screening?

Estimates risk of certain chromosomal or developmental conditions, usually combining blood testing and ultrasound.

What does ultrasound sonography examine?

It uses sound waves to produce fetal images and examines growth, anatomy, and development.

What is chorionic villus sampling (CVS)?

A procedure that collects placental tissue for genetic testing, typically performed around weeks 10-13.

What is amniocentesis?

A procedure that collects amniotic fluid containing fetal cells, typically performed around weeks 15-20.

What is embryoscopy?

A direct visualization of an embryo or fetus using specialized instruments; it is an invasive procedure.

What is fetal blood sampling used for?

To obtain fetal blood for diagnostic testing, used for selected conditions.

What is sonoembryology?

An advanced ultrasound imaging technique used to examine early development and assess embryonic structures.

How does CVS differ from amniocentesis?

CVS is usually performed earlier and samples placental tissue, while amniocentesis is performed later and samples amniotic fluid.

What is CRISPR?

A gene-editing technology that allows scientists to make targeted changes to DNA.

What ethical concerns are associated with CRISPR?

Concerns include the selection of characteristics unrelated to disease, potential social inequality, and the implications of altering embryos.

What are the three stages of the prenatal period?

1. Germinal Period (fertilization to 2 weeks), 2. Embryonic Period (weeks 2-8), 3. Fetal Period (week 8 until birth).

What occurs during the germinal period?

Fertilization occurs, the zygote divides, a blastocyst forms, and implantation occurs in the uterine lining.

What major developments occur during the embryonic period?

Major organs begin forming, the nervous system develops, and the basic body structure emerges.

What are the three embryonic layers and their developments?

Ectoderm (nervous system, skin), Mesoderm (muscles, bones), Endoderm (digestive and respiratory structures).

What is infertility?

Difficulty achieving pregnancy, which can be caused by male-related or female-related factors.

What are some male-related causes of infertility?

Low sperm count, reduced sperm movement, hormonal difficulties, reproductive tract problems, and certain infections.

What are some female-related causes of infertility?

Failure to ovulate, hormonal imbalances, blocked fallopian tubes, and age-related fertility decline.

What is artificial insemination?

A method where sperm is introduced into the reproductive tract to assist with conception.

What is a miscarriage?

The spontaneous loss of a pregnancy, also known as spontaneous abortion.

What is the difference between spontaneous abortion and induced abortion?

Spontaneous abortion is a natural loss of pregnancy, while induced abortion is the intentional termination of a pregnancy.

What are teratogens?

Environmental agents that can cause harm to prenatal development, such as alcohol and certain drugs.

What are the potential effects of prenatal alcohol exposure?

Growth deficiencies, cognitive difficulties, attention and learning problems, and certain facial abnormalities.

What are the three stages of labor?

1. Dilation (cervix dilates), 2. Delivery of the Baby (baby is born), 3. Delivery of the Placenta (placenta is expelled).

What does the Apgar scale assess?

A quick assessment of a newborn's physical condition based on appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiration.

What is heel-prick screening used for?

To collect a small blood sample from the newborn's heel to screen for certain inherited, metabolic, and endocrine disorders.

What does the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale evaluate?

Newborn behavioral and neurological functioning, including responses to stimulation, motor behavior, and ability to be soothed.

What is proximal caregiving?

A caregiving style that emphasizes physical closeness and bodily contact between caregiver and infant.

What are examples of proximal caregiving?

Carrying infants close to the body, babywearing, frequent physical contact, and sleeping near caregivers.

What is distal caregiving?

A caregiving style that emphasizes interaction at a greater physical distance.

What are examples of distal caregiving?

Using strollers, placing infants in cribs, using swings and playpens, and interacting through eye contact and speech.

What is a key difference between proximal and distal caregiving?

Proximal caregiving involves physical closeness, while distal caregiving involves greater physical distance.

What does the Lamaze method focus on?

Controlled breathing, relaxation, education about childbirth, and support from a partner or coach.

What is the Bradley method also known as?

Husband-coached childbirth.

What does the Bradley method emphasize?

Natural childbirth, relaxation, partner participation, and minimizing unnecessary medical intervention.

What is hypnobirthing?

A technique that uses relaxation, visualization, and self-hypnosis to manage anxiety and discomfort during childbirth.

What is water birth?

A birthing method that involves laboring and sometimes delivering in warm water.

What are the roles of an obstetrician?

A physician specializing in pregnancy and childbirth.

What is the role of a midwife?

A trained professional who provides pregnancy and childbirth care.

What does a doula provide?

Nonmedical emotional, informational, and physical support during childbirth.

What is epidural anesthesia?

Medication administered near the spinal nerves to reduce pain during labor.

What is a walking epidural?

A lower-dose technique intended to preserve more movement than a traditional dense epidural.

What is premature birth?

Birth occurring before the expected gestational term, typically before 37 completed weeks of gestational age.

What is low birthweight?

Birthweight below 2,500 grams (approximately 5.5 pounds).

What is very low birthweight?

Birthweight below 1,500 grams.