AP Psychology: Unit 8 Topic 2

Physical Development and Parenting Styles

developmental psychology

a branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, and social change throughout the life span

zygote

the fertilized egg; it enters a 2-week period of rapid cell division and develops into an embryo

embryo

the developing human organism from about 2 weeks after fertilization through the second month

fetus

the developing human organism from 9 weeks after conception to birth

teratogen

agents, such as chemicals and viruses, that can reach the embryo or fetus during prenatal development and cause harm

fetal alcohol syndrome

physical and cognitive abnormalities in children caused by a pregnant woman’s heavy drinking

rooting reflex

an automatic response seen in newborn babies, who turn their face towards the stimulus and make sucking motions with the mouth when the cheek or lip is touched; helps ensure successful breastfeeding

habituation

decreasing responsiveness with repeated stimulation. As infants gain familiarity with repeated exposure to a visual stimulus, their interest wanes and they look away sooner

maturation

biological growth processes that enable orderly changes in behavior, relatively uninfluenced by experience

autism

a disorder that appears in childhood and is marked by significant deficiencies in communication and social interaction, and by rigidly fixated interests and repetitive behaviors

stranger anxiety

the fear of strangers that infants commonly display, beginning by about 8 months of age

Strange Situation

a study by psychologist Mary Ainsworth that measures how infants respond to separations and reunions with their caregiver and helps identify different attachment styles

attachment

an emotional tie with another person; shown in young children by their seeking closeness to the caregiver and showing distress on separation

secure attachment

an attachment where a child feels comforted by the presence of their caregiver

insecure attachment

an attachment style where a child struggles to trust its caregivers

critical period

an optimal period early in the life of an organism when exposure to certain stimuli or experiences produces normal development

authoritative parenting

the parents are nurturing, responsive, and supportive, yet set firm limits for their children

authoritarian parenting

a strict, controlling child-rearing style characterized by high demands, rigid rules, and low responsiveness

permissive parenting

a indulgent, warm, and highly responsive child-rearing style characterized by very low demands, few rules, and minimal discipline