Exam 1 PSYC 4176

Lifespan Approach to Development

Development that is multidimensional, multidirectional, contextual, multidisciplinary, lifelong, plastic, and influenced by cohort effects.

Multidimensional

Development involves biological, cognitive, and socioemotional dimensions that interact.

Multidirectional

Growth and decline occur at different stages; some abilities improve while others decline.

Contextual

Development is influenced by factors such as family, culture, and history.

Multidisciplinary

Different fields (psychology, sociology, biology, neuroscience) contribute to understanding development.

Lifelong

Development continues throughout life, not just in childhood.

Plasticity

Development is flexible and can change with experience and interventions.

Cohort effects

People born in the same time period experience similar historical and cultural influences.

Nature vs. Nurture

Debate over whether genetics (nature) or environment (nurture) plays a bigger role in development.

Active vs. Passive

Debate on whether individuals actively shape their development or passively absorb influences.

Continuous vs. Discontinuous

Continuous views development as gradual, while discontinuous sees it as occurring in distinct stages.

Psychoanalytic Theory

Focus on unconscious drives and early childhood experiences, as seen in Freud and Erikson's work.

Freud's Psychosexual Stages

Stages of development that focus on how personality develops through a series of childhood stages.

Erikson's Psychosocial Stages

A series of eight stages where individuals face different conflicts that need resolution.

Behavioral Theory

Theory that states behavior is learned through reinforcement, punishment, and modeling.

Cognitive Development

Focus on how development occurs through thinking and problem-solving.

Bioecological Theory

Proposes that development is influenced by multiple environmental systems.

Genetic Disorders

Health conditions caused by genetic mutations or chromosomal abnormalities.

Teratogens

Harmful agents affecting prenatal development, such as alcohol and drugs.

Stages of Prenatal Development

Germinal (0-2 weeks), Embryonic (2-8 weeks), Fetal (9 weeks-birth).

Stages of Delivery

Labor, Delivery, Afterbirth.

Expected Weight at Birth

Around 5.5–8.8 lbs (2.5–4 kg); triples by 1 year and quadruples by 2 years.

Cephalocaudal Growth Pattern

Developmental pattern where head develops before the lower body.

Proximodistal Growth Pattern

Developmental pattern where the core develops before extremities.

Serve and Return Interaction

Back-and-forth interactions between babies and caregivers that support brain development.

Language Development Progression

Cooing (~6 weeks), Babbling (~4-6 months), First words (~12 months), Two-word sentences (~2 years).

Goodness of Fit

How well a child's temperament matches their environment and caregivers.

Multiple Intelligences

Gardner's theory that suggests eight different types of intelligence.

Parenting Styles

Baumrind’s model includes Authoritative, Authoritarian, Permissive, and Neglectful styles.

Cognitive Theory in Education

Applying Piaget and Vygotsky’s theories through hands-on learning and scaffolding.

Sex Differentiation

Occurs at ~6-7 weeks, triggering development of male or female reproductive systems.