psych exam 3 book devs

cohort effects

consequences of being born in a particular year or narrow range of years 

cross-sectional design

a research design used to measure and compare samples of people from different age groups at one point in time

developmental psychology

the study of change and stability of human physical, cognitive, social, and behavioral characteristics across the life span

fetal alcohol syndrome

a condition resulting in abnormalities in mental functioning, growth, and facial development resulting from excessive alcohol exposure during pregnancy

longitudinal design

a research design that follows the development of the same set of individuals through time 

preterm infants

infants born at 36 weeks of gestation or earlier

reflexes

an involuntary muscle reaction to a specific type of stimulation

sensitive period 

a window of time in which exposure to a specific type of environmental stimulation is needed for normal development of a specific ability 

teratogen

a substance, such as a drug, that is capable of producing physical defects in a fetus

attachment

an enduring emotional bond formed between individuals

cognitive development

the changing abilities and processes of memory, thought, and reasoning that occur throughout the life span

concrete operational stage 

the third stage of cognitive development, spanning ages 7 to 11 years, when children develop skills in using and manipulating numbers as well as logical thinking 

conservation

knowledge that the quantity or amount of an object is not related to the arrangement or physical appearance of that object

core knowledge hypothesis

a view on development that proposes infants have inborn abilities for understanding some key aspects of their environment

dishabituation 

an increase in responsiveness following a change in a stimulus or event 

egocentric

perceiving and interpreting the world in terms of the self

formal operational stage

the fourth stage of cognitive development, beginning at approximately 11 years of age and continuing into adulthood, that involves advanced cognitive processes such as abstract reasoning and hypothetical thinking

habituation 

a decrease in responding with repeated exposure to an event 

object permanence

the ability to understand that objects exist even when they are not seen or touched

per operational stage

the second stage of cognitive development, spanning ages two through seven years, that is characterized by understanding of symbols, pretend play, and mastery of the concept of conservation

scaffolding 

an approach to teaching in which the teacher matches guidance to the learner or students needs

self awareness

the ability to recognize ones individuality

sensorimotor stage

the first stage of cognitive development, spanning birth to age two years, when infants’ thinking and understanding about the world is based on sensory experiences and physical actions they perform on objectssyn

synaptic pruning

a process in which weak and unused nerve cell connections are lost 

temperament

a general emotional reactivity typically found in infants that serves as the basis for the development of adult personality

theory of mind

the ability to recognize the thoughts, beliefs, and expectations of others

zone of proximal development 

a concept proposed by Lev Vygotsky explaining that development is ideal when children attempt skills and activities that are just beyond what they can do alone, but they have adults who are attentive to their progress and can provide guidance 

libido

the motivation for sexual activity and pleasure

refractory period

time period during which erection and orgasm are not physically possible

sexual orientation 

consistent preference for sexual relations with members of the opposite sex (heterosexuality), same sex (homosexuality), or either sex (bisexuality)

sexual response cycle

the phases of physiological change during sexual activity, which consists of four primary stages: excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution

testosterone

a hormone that is involved in the development of sex characteristics and the motivation of sexual behavior