Lifespan Development- Exam 2

Ch. 4 & 5

Cephalocaudal development

The principle that growth proceeds from the head downward; the head and upper regions of the body develop before the lower regions.

Proximodistal development:

The principle that growth and development proceed from the center of the body outward.

working memory

The component of the information processing system that holds and processes information that is being manipulated, encoded, or retrieved and is responsible for maintaining and processing information used in cognitive tasks.

long-term memory

The component of the information processing system that is an unlimited store that holds information indefinitely, until it is retrieved to manipulate working memory.

sensory memory

The first step in the information processing system in which stimuli are stored for a brief moment in its original form to enable it to be processed.

object permanace

The understanding that objects continue to exist outside of sight.

4-6 months

when do infants typically eat solid foods

malnutrition

can cause children to show cognitive deficits as well as impairments in motivation, curiosity, language, and the ability to effectively interact with the environment through childhood, adolescence, and into adulthood

• damages neurons + can produce cognitive deficits from early ________

• can cause depression

failure to thrive

growth faltering

Marasmus

A wasting disease in which the body’s fat and muscle are depleted; growth stops and the body wastes away, taking on a hollow appearance.

Glial cell

A type of brain cell that nourishes neurons and provides structure to the brain.

Synapse

The intersection or gap between the axon of one neuron and the dendrites of other neurons; the gap that neurotransmitters must cross.

Myelin

The fatty substance that coats the axons, which speeds the transmission of electrical impulses and neurological function.

Myelination

The process in which neurons are coated in a fatty substance, myelin, which contributes to faster neural communication.

Synaptic pruning

The process by which synapses, neural connections that are seldom used, disappear.

Experience-dependent brain development

Brain growth and development in response-specific learning experiences.

Experience-expectant brain development

Brain growth and development that are dependent on basic environmental experiences, such as visual and auditory stimulation, in order to develop normally.

Classical conditioning

A form of learning in which an environmental stimulus becomes associated with stimuli that elicit reflex responses

Operant conditioning

A form of learning in which behavior increases or decreases based on environmental consequences.

Imitation

Newborns mimic facial expressions, but they are simply carrying out an innate program though to be controlled by the mirror neuron system.

visual acuity

Sharpness of vision.

depth perception

The ability to perceive the distance of objects from each other and from ourselves.

intermodal perception

The process of combining information from more than one sensory system, such as visual and auditory senses.

fine-motor development

The ability to control small movements of the fingers, such as reaching and grasping.

gross motor development

The ability to control large movements of the body, such as walking and jumping.

Cognitive equilibrium

A balance between the processes of assimilation and accommodation such that an individual’s schemas match the world.

cognitive disequilibrium

A mismatch between an individual’s schemas and the world.

cognitive schema

A mental representation, such as concepts, ideas, and ways of interacting with the world.

Assimilation

In Piaget’s theory, the process by which new experiences are interpreted and integrated into preexisting schemas.

accommodation

In Piaget’s theory, the process by which schemas are modified or new schemas created in light of experience.

Central executive

In information processing, the part of our mental system that directs the flow of information and regulates cognitive activities such as attention, action, and problem-solving.

cooing

An infant’s repetition of sounds, such as “ahhhh,” “ohhh,” and “eeee,” that begins between 2 and 3 months of age.

Receptive language

Language that one can understand.

productive language

Language individuals can produce for themselves.

growth norms

distinct patterns + expectations for typical gains in height & weight

neurons

A nerve cell that stores and transmits information; billions of neurons comprise the brain.

dendrites

branching receptors that receive chemical messages from other neurons that are translated into electrical signals

axons

long tube-like structures that extend from the neuron and carries electrical signals to the neurons

synaptic pruning

The process by which synapses, neural connections that are seldom used, disappear.

habituation

The gradual decline in the intensity, frequency, or duration of a response when repeatedly exposed to a stimulus; indicates learning.

preception

The mental processing of sensory information, which is interpreted as sight, sound, and smell, for example.

palamar grasp

newborn reflex

• Curl fingers around objects that touch the palm

• birth-4mo

Rooting

newborn reflex

• Turn head and tongue toward stimulus when cheek is touched

• first few weeks of life

sucking

newborn reflex

• sucking on an object placed into the mouth

• birth-6mo

moro

newborn reflex

• Startle response in reaction to loud noise or sudden change in the position of the head, results in throwing out arms, arching the back, and bringing the arms together as if to grasp something

• birth-5-7mo

babinski

newborn reflex

• Fans and curls the toes in response to stroking the bottom of the foot

• birth-8 to 12mo.

stepping

newborn reflex

• Makes stepping movements as if to walk when held upright with feet touching a flat surface

• birth-2 to 3mo

swimming

newborn reflex

• Holds breath and moves arms and legs, as if to swim, when placed in water

• birth- 4 to 6mo

holophrase

A one-word expression used to convey a complete thought.