Psych Ch. 3

How does body proportion change from infancy to adulthood? (71)

The head takes up about 50% of our entire length when developing in the womb. At birth the head makes up 25%. And by 25, it comprises about 20%

What is brain plasticity, and how does it benefit an individual? (74)

The brains ability to change physically and chemically, to enhance its adaptability to environmental change and compensate for injury.

How do reflexes contribute to an infant's development and survival? (77)

reflexes are automatic responses that help with survival, feeding, and development

What are the typical sleep patterns for newborns? (74)

About 16.5 hrs a day in several periods. 50% is rapid eye movement phase

What are the common types of SUID? What is SIDS? (74)

SUID includes sudden infant death syndrome, unknown cause, and accidental suffocation/strangulation in bed.

What are the Cephalocaudal and Proximodistal principles? (78)

Cephalocaudal = head to tail. Proximodistal = center of the body outward.

“Some Common Infant Reflexes” (77)

sucking, rooting, grasp, stepping, Babinski

How do fine and gross motor skills differ and develop? What are examples of each? (78)

Gross motor skills use large muscles. Fine motor skills use small muscles for precise movements.

Babies learn to hold their heads up before they learn to walk. This is an example of what kind of development? (78)

Cephalocaudal development

What are the sensory capacities of infants? Describe each (79-81)

Infants have hearing, taste, smell, and touch from early on. Vision is least developed at birth.

What are the benefits and considerations of breastfeeding versus bottle-feeding? (82)

Breast milk provides nutrition and is free; formula is an alternative. Both can support healthy development.

When should solid food be introduced? (82)

Usually around 4–6 months when the infant can sit, hold their head up, and handle food safely.

What is the Piagetian stage of cognitive development that is relevant for infancy? (85)

The sensorimotor stage. Infants learn through their senses and physical actions.

Define Schema, Assimilation and Accommodation. Know examples of each. (85)

Schema = mental framework. Assimilation = fit new information into it. Accommodation = change the framework.

Define Assimilation

fitting the new information into an existing schema (all 4 legged animals = doggies)

Define Accommodation

expanding the framework of knowledge to accommodate the new situation (learning a new word to actually name an animal)

What is object permanence?

Understanding that an object still exists even when it cannot be seen.

What is symbolic or representational thought? (87)

toddler has a basic understanding that objects can be used as symbols

What are the components of language? (90-91)

Phonemes, morphemes, semantics, syntax, and pragmatics

Do newborns communicate? If so, how? (91)

yes, with body posture, gestures, cries, and facial expressions

What are cooing and babbling? When do they develop? (91)

Cooing is one syllable combination of a consonant and a vowel sound. Cooing begins early. Babbling is an intentional vocalization that lack specific meaning. Babbling becomes more developed around 4–6 months.

What is infant-directed speech? (94)

exaggerated baby talk

Who is Noam Chomsky? (95)

A linguist who argued that humans have an innate ability for language and universal grammar.

Which three theorists provide explanations for language development? (95)

B. F. Skinner, Albert Bandura, and Noam Chomsky.

Is there a critical period for learning language? (94)

Language is easiest to learn during childhood, especially before puberty.

Describe the Victor the “Wild Child” case study (94)

Victor was found around age 12 after isolation in France. He made social progress but never developed normal language.

What is temperament? What are the three types? (97)

Temperament is an infant’s innate style of responding. Types: easy, difficult, and slow-to-warm-up.

What is personality? Emotional self-regulation? (98 & 100)

Personality is defined as an individuals consistent pattern of feeling thinking and behaving

Emotional self-regulation refers to strategies we use to control our emotional states so that we can attain goals

Describe Mary Ainsworth’s Strange Situation Technique (102-103)

A test observing an infant’s behavior during caregiver separation and reunion to assess attachment.

What are the styles of child attachment? (102-103)

Secure, ambivalent/resistant, avoidant, and disorganized/disoriented.

What does Erikson say about toddlerhood?

Toddlers face autonomy vs. shame and doubt. Safe exploration helps develop independence and confidence.

Why is object permanence so important? (86)

It shows that infants understand people and objects still exist when they are out of sight

What’s the difference between assimilation and accommodation?

assimilation adds new information to an existing schema; accommodation changes the schema.

What Is secure attachment? (103)

The child explores freely, may become upset when the caregiver leaves, and is happy when they return

what is resiliency? (105)

being able to overcome challenges and successfully adapt

What is a secure base? (101)

a parental presence that gives the child a sense of safety as the child explores the surroundings