Developmental Psychology Review Notes

These flashcards summarize key terms and concepts related to human development psychology based on the review notes.

Human Development

The scientific study of the systematic processes of change and stability in people throughout their life.

Life-Span Development

The concept that human development is a lifelong process that can be studied scientifically.

Plasticity

The capacity of development to be shaped or molded, indicating that growth can be modified.

Cognitive Development

Development pertaining to learning, memory, attention, reasoning, language, and creativity.

Epigenetics

The study of how genes are turned on and off in patterned ways throughout the lifespan.

Behavioral Genetics

The scientific study of the extent to which genetic and environmental differences are responsible for differences in traits among individuals.

Heritability

The proportion of variability in a trait within a population that can be attributed to genetic differences.

Concordance Rate

The percentage of pairs of individuals in studies where if one exhibits a particular trait, the other does too.

Critical Period

A specific time during which a given event, or its absence, has a significant impact on development.

Sensitive Periods

Times during development when an individual is especially responsive to certain types of experiences.

Normative Influences

Biological or environmental events that affect many people in similar ways.

Cultural Context

A framework that includes factors such as family, socioeconomic status, and culture which influence development.

Attachment Theory

A theory positing the importance of emotional bonds, particularly a child's attachment to their caregiver.

Resilience

The ability to bounce back or recover from stress and adversity.

Social Role Theory

A theory that explains how gender roles are formed through socialization processes.

Erikson's Psychosocial Development

A theory that outlines eight stages of psychosocial development, each marked by a conflict that needs resolution.

Kohlberg's Moral Development

A theory that describes six stages of moral reasoning and development.

Fluid Intelligence

The ability to solve novel problems and think abstractly, which peaks in young adulthood.

Crystallized Intelligence

The ability to use knowledge accumulated over a lifetime, which tends to increase with age.

Generativity

The concern for establishing and guiding the next generation, often associated with a sense of legacy.

Imprinting

A type of learning that occurs at a particular life stage; the process by which certain animals form attachments.

Cognitive Dissonance

The mental discomfort experienced when holding two or more contradictory beliefs, values, or ideas.

Self-Concept

The image or perception one has of oneself; it includes knowledge of one’s abilities and traits.

Socialization

The process by which children develop habits, skills, values, and motives that make them responsible members of society.

Observational Learning

A learning process through which individuals acquire behavior by observing and imitating others.

Terror Management Theory

A psychological concept that examines how humans manage their fear of death and the drive for self-preservation.

Cohort Effects

The impact of being born in the same time period on the experiences or outcomes for a group.

Individual Differences

Variations among individuals on psychological or behavioral dimensions, such as personality or ability.