AP Psychology Unit 3: Development Psychology and Learning

Discontinuous Stages of Development

the view that development changes can be divided clearly into unique stages. These stages cannot be skipped, and proceeding through them one by one is generally understood as necessary for individuals.

Stability and Change

The concept that some traits remain stable while others fluctuate with age.

Nature vs. Nurture

The debate regarding the relative contributions of genetic inheritance and environmental factors to human development.

Cross-Sectional Research

A research design that compares individuals of different ages at one point in time.

Longitudinal Research

A research design that follows the same individuals over a period of time to observe changes.

Teratogens

Agents that can cause malformation or harm during prenatal development.

Maternal Illnesses

Health conditions in a mother that can affect the development of the fetus.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

A condition resulting from alcohol exposure during pregnancy, leading to physical and cognitive impairments.

Genetic Mutations

Changes in DNA that can lead to developmental disorders or variations.

Rooting

A reflex in infants that causes them to turn their head toward a stimulus when their cheek is stroked.

Visual Cliff

A laboratory device used to test depth perception in infants.

Critical Periods

Specific times during development when certain skills or abilities are most easily learned.

Imprinting

A rapid learning process that occurs in certain animals during a critical period after birth.

Habituation

A decrease in response to a stimulus after repeated presentations.

Maturation

The process of development that is genetically programmed and occurs in a fixed sequence.

Secondary Sex Characteristics

Physical features that develop during puberty but are not directly involved in reproduction.

Puberty

The period during which adolescents reach sexual maturity and become capable of reproduction.

Menarche

The first occurrence of menstruation in females.

Spermarche

The first occurrence of ejaculation in males.

Menopause

The time in a woman's life when menstrual cycles permanently cease.

Gender Role

The expected behaviors, attitudes, and responsibilities that society considers appropriate for men and women.

Social Learning Theory

A theory that suggests behavior is learned through observation and imitation of others.

Cognitive Development

The process of growth and change in intellectual capabilities that influence a person's behavior.

Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development

A theory that describes how children develop logical thinking through stages.

Vygotsky's Theory of Cognitive Development

A theory emphasizing the role of social interaction and cultural context in cognitive development.

Phonemes

The smallest units of sound in a language that can distinguish meaning.

Morphemes

The smallest units of meaning in a language.

Universal Grammar (UG)

The theory that all human languages share a common structural basis.

Aphasia

A language disorder that affects a person's ability to communicate.

Broca's Area

A region in the frontal lobe associated with speech production.

Wernicke's Area

A region in the temporal lobe associated with language comprehension.

Linguistic Determinism

The idea that language shapes thought and perception.

Linguistic Relativity

The hypothesis that the structure of a language affects its speakers' worldview.

Cooing

The early stage of language development where infants produce vowel-like sounds.

Babbling

The stage of language development where infants produce repetitive consonant-vowel combinations.

One-Word Stage

A stage in language development where children use single words to convey meaning.

Two-Word Stage

A stage in language development where children begin to combine two words to form simple sentences.

Telegraphic Speech

A form of speech in which only essential words are used, resembling telegrams.

Overgeneralization

The application of a grammatical rule too broadly, leading to errors.

Imaginary Audience

The belief that others are as focused on an individual as they are on themselves.

Personal Fable

The belief that one's experiences are unique and not understood by others.

Social Clock

The culturally preferred timing of social events such as marriage and parenthood.

Emerging Adulthood

A developmental stage from late teens to mid-20s characterized by exploration and instability.

Ecological Systems Theory

views the person as developing within a complex system of relationships affected by multiple levels of the surrounding environment

Trust and Mistrust

Refers to a stage of development from birth to approximately 18 months of age, during which infants gain trust of their parents or caregivers if their world is planned, organized, and routine.

Autonomy and Shame and Doubt

2nd stage in Erikson's model; toddlers must be able to exercise some independence or will be ashamed and uncertain of their abilities

Attachment Styles

Patterns of attachment behavior exhibited in relationships, influenced by early experiences.

Separation and Stranger Anxiety

Distress experienced by infants when separated from primary caregivers or in the presence of strangers.

Peer Relationships Overtime

The evolution of friendships and social interactions throughout different life stages.

Initiative and Guilt

3rd stage in Erikson's model; preschoolers must learn to start and direct creative tasks, or they may feel guilty about asserting themselves

Industry and Inferiority

4th stage in Erikson's model; children must master the skills valued by their society or feel inferior

Identity and Role Confusion

5th stage in Erikson's model; adolescents must develop a sense of identity or suffer lack of direction

Intimacy and Isolation

6th stage in Erikson's model; young adults must form close, satisfying relationships or suffer loneliness

Generativity and Stagnation

7th stage in Erikson's model; in middle age, adults must discover a sense of contributing to the world or they may feel a lack of purpose

Integrity and Despair

8th stage in Erikson's model; when reflecting at the end of life, an older adult must feel a sense of satisfaction or experience despair (feelings of having wasted one's life)

Continuous Stages of Development

Continuity refers to developmental changes that are slow and steady, where each step builds directly on the previous ones.