Unit 1: Human Lifespan and Development

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering human lifespan growth and development, theories of cognitive and social development, genetic and environmental influences, and the biological and societal aspects of ageing.

Growth

A quantitative process involving an increase in the physical size of the body or its parts, measured objectively using height, weight, and body dimensions.

Development

The acquisition of skills and abilities in an orderly and predictable sequence as an individual progresses through life.

Gross Motor Skills

Physical abilities that involve the use of large muscle groups to perform whole-body movements, such as sitting up, standing, cruising, and walking.

Cruising

An infant gross motor milestone where the infant walks or moves around while holding onto furniture or other stable objects.

Fine Motor Skills

Physical abilities involving the precise use of small muscles, particularly those in the hands and fingers, such as grasping, turning pages, and writing.

Puberty

The developmental period during adolescence in which the body undergoes physical and hormonal changes leading to sexual maturity and reproductive capability.

Primary Sexual Characteristics

Physical changes and structures directly related to the reproductive organs and reproductive functions, such as the maturation of the uterus, ovaries, testes, and penis.

Secondary Sexual Characteristics

Physical changes associated with sexual maturation that are not directly involved in reproduction, such as breast development, voice deepening, and body hair growth.

Lactation

The production and secretion of breast milk following childbirth, stimulated by hormones including prolactin for production and oxytocin for milk release.

Perimenopause

The transitional period leading up to menopause characterized by fluctuating and declining oestrogen levels, hot flushes, night sweats, and irregular ovarian function.

Menopause

The point at which menstrual periods permanently cease due to reduced ovarian activity and a decline in oestrogen production.

Schema

A mental framework or organized pattern of thought that a child constructs through environmental interaction to understand and interpret the world.

Object Permanence

A cognitive milestone achieved during the sensorimotor stage where an infant understands that an object continues to exist even when it is out of sight.

Egocentrism

A cognitive limitation typical of the pre-operational stage where a child is unable to perceive a situation from another person's perspective.

Three Mountains Task

An experiment used by Jean Piaget to test visual egocentrism in pre-operational children by asking them to select a view of a model scene from a doll's perspective.

Conservation

The cognitive understanding that the amount, mass, or volume of a substance remains the same despite changes in its appearance or container shape.

Language Acquisition Device (LAD)

A hypothetical, innate biological mechanism proposed by Noam Chomsky that allows children to recognize language patterns and deduce grammatical rules naturally.

Critical Period (Language)

A biologically determined window during childhood during which the brain is uniquely receptive to acquiring language naturally through environmental exposure.

Pragmatic Thinking

A mature mode of intellectual reasoning in early adulthood focused on what is practical, realistic, and effective in managing complex, real-world situations.

Attachment

A strong, enduring emotional bond formed between an infant and a primary caregiver that provides safety, comfort, and a secure base for exploration.

Secure Base

A dependable primary caregiver whom an infant uses as a foundation of safety from which to explore the environment and return to for reassurance.

Insecure-Avoidant Attachment

An attachment style characterized by minimal distress upon caregiver separation, avoidance of the caregiver upon reunion, and apparent premature self-reliance.

Insecure-Resistant Attachment

An attachment pattern where an infant becomes intensely distressed upon separation, seeks contact upon reunion, but simultaneously resists comfort and displays anger.

Disorganised Attachment

An attachment pattern characterized by confused, contradictory, or fearful behaviors toward a caregiver who serves as both a source of fear and comfort.

Self-Concept

The overall perception, awareness, and understanding that an individual holds regarding their own personality, abilities, appearance, and social identity.

Self-Esteem

The subjective evaluation of value or personal worth that an individual places upon themselves; essentially how much a person values themselves.

Self-Image

The mental picture an individual holds of their own characteristics, physical appearance, and capabilities; essentially how a person sees themselves.

Solo Play

A developmental stage of play where a young child plays independently with toys and objects without interacting with other children playing nearby.

Parallel Play

A stage of play where children play alongside or near one another using similar materials, but without direct cooperation or interaction toward a shared goal.

Co-operative Play

An advanced form of social play where children interact, communicate, share, and collaborate to achieve a common purpose or execute a shared activity.

Peer Pressure

The direct or indirect influence exerted by a peer group encouraging an individual to adopt particular attitudes, behaviors, or decisions.

Maturation Theory (Gesell)

A biological theory by Arnold Gesell proposing that developmental sequences are predominantly controlled by genetic inheritance and internal biological timetables.

Social Learning Theory (Bandura)

A theory formulated by Albert Bandura asserting that individuals acquire novel behaviors through observing, retaining, and imitating the actions of role models.

Stress-Diathesis Model

A psychological model proposing that a disorder develops from an interaction between an underlying biological/genetic vulnerability (diathesis) and environmental stressors.

Genetic Predisposition

An increased genetic likelihood or biological susceptibility of an individual developing a particular health condition or physical trait.

Cystic Fibrosis

An inherited autosomal recessive genetic condition caused by mutations in the CFTR gene, leading to excessive build-up of thick, sticky mucus in the lungs and digestive tract.

Osteogenesis Imperfecta (Brittle Bone Disease)

A genetic condition characterized by defective collagen synthesis, resulting in fragile bones prone to frequent fractures and deformities.

Phenylketonuria (PKU)

An inherited metabolic disorder involving a deficiency in the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase, which causes toxic accumulation of phenylalanine in the brain if left untreated.

Huntington's Disease

A progressive, inherited neurodegenerative disorder that manifests in adulthood, causing involuntary choreic movements, cognitive decline, and psychiatric symptoms.

Klinefelter's Syndrome

A chromosomal condition occurring in males possessing an extra X chromosome (47,XXY pattern), characterized by tall stature, delayed puberty, and reduced testosterone production.

Down's Syndrome

A chromosomal condition caused by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21 (trisomy 21), resulting in distinctive facial features, hypotonia, and developmental delays.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)

An X-linked recessive genetic disorder caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene, producing progressive skeletal and cardiac muscle degeneration and weakness.

Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

A condition caused by prenatal alcohol exposure characterized by restricted physical growth, distinctive facial dysmorphology, and central nervous system abnormalities.

Congenital Defect

Any structural, metabolic, or functional physical anomaly present at birth, resulting from genetic, chromosomal, nutritional, or environmental factors.

Authoritative Parenting

A parenting style described by Diana Baumrind that balances high warmth, clear and consistent behavioral boundaries, open communication, and independence.

Authoritarian Parenting

A strict and controlling parenting style characterized by rigid rules, high demands, punishment, and minimal open dialogue or emotional warmth.

Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS)

A clinical assessment scale devised by Holmes and Rahe that quantifies the stress associated with major life events using numerical Life Change Units (LCUs).

Osteoarthritis

A degenerative joint disease common in ageing characterized by the breakdown of articular cartilage, resulting in joint pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.

Presbycusis

The gradual, progressive sensorineural hearing impairment associated with normal biological ageing, particularly affecting the perception of high-frequency sounds.

Dementia

An umbrella term for non-normative, progressive neurocognitive decline that impairs memory, reasoning, communication, and the capacity to perform everyday tasks.

Alzheimer's Disease

A progressive neurodegenerative disease and the most common cause of dementia, resulting in irreversible structural brain damage, confusion, and memory loss.

Social Disengagement Theory

An ageing theory formulated by Elaine Cumming and William Henry asserting that older adults and society experience a natural, mutual, and beneficial withdrawal of roles and interactions.

Activity Theory

A theory of ageing associated with Robert J. Havighurst stating that psychological wellbeing in later life is maximized by remaining active, maintaining roles, and staying socially connected.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio

A demographic and economic measure comparing the number of retired, older citizens relative to the proportion of the working-age population supporting them.