Themes and methods in development psychology/ developmental milestones

Development Psychology

 the scientific study of how and why people change over the course of their life (cognitive, emotional, social, and physical domains).

Nature and Nurture

How do our genetic inheritance (nature) and our life experiences (nurture) interact to shape our development?

Continuity and Stages

 Continuity refers to developmental changes that are slow and steady, where each step builds directly on the previous ones

Stability and change

Stability and change

This area of study helps us understand how and why people remain the same in some ways but also evolve and adapt in others as they go through different life stages

Longitudinal Research

studying the same individuals over time, allowing for direct observation of how behaviors, traits, and abilities change and develop throughout life

Cross-sectional research

 studying different groups of people of various ages at the same point in time

Psychosocial Development

theory that individuals progress through a series of stages, each characterized by a specific conflict that contributes to a major aspect of personality.

Prenatal Development

the process of growth and development within the womb, starting from conception and continuing until birth.

Teratogens

harmful substances, such as drugs, alcohol, or infections, that can cause developmental abnormalities or birth defects when a fetus is exposed to them during prenatal development

Reflexs

automatic, instinctual responses that newborns are born with, aiding in their survival.

Rooting Reflex

automatic response in newborns where they turn their head toward a touch on the cheek, helping them locate and latch onto the mother's breast for feeding

Maturation

 the biological growth process that leads to orderly changes in behavior, guided by genetics and largely unaffected by experience.

Developmental Milestones

key skills or behaviors that most children achieve by specific ages, such as walking, talking, and problem-solving, marking significant progress in physical, cognitive, and social development

Sensitive Period

 a critical time in early development when the brain is especially receptive to learning specific skills, such as language or motor skills, making it easier to acquire them during this phase

Fine Motor Coordination

The ability to control small muscle movements, enabling tasks like writing, buttoning, and using utensils with precision

Gross Motor Coordination

The ability to control large muscle movements, enabling tasks like walking, jumping, and throwing with balance and strength

Visual Cliff

 an experimental setup used to study depth perception in infants, featuring a clear glass surface that creates the illusion of a drop-off to test whether infants can perceive and avoid the "cliff”

Puberty

 the period of physical and hormonal changes during adolescence that lead to sexual maturity and the ability to reproduce.

Adolescent Growth Spurt

a rapid increase in height and weight that typically occurs during puberty, driven by hormonal changes and marking the transition from childhood to adulthood.

Menopause

the natural biological process marking the end of a woman's menstrual cycles, typically occurring around age 50 and characterized by hormonal changes and the cessation of fertility