Lifespan Development – Discovering Psychology (Chapter 9)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the Lifespan Development lecture notes.

Developmental Psychology

The branch of psychology that studies how people change physically, cognitively, and socially over the lifespan.

Lifespan

The entire course of human existence, from conception to death, often divided into developmental stages.

Stage Theory

The idea that development proceeds through a series of qualitatively distinct phases or stages.

Prenatal Stage

The developmental period before birth, encompassing the germinal, embryonic, and fetal periods.

Germinal (Zygotic) Period

The first two weeks after conception marked by rapid cell division and implantation of the zygote.

Embryonic Period

Weeks 3–8 of prenatal development when major organs and structures form; the embryo is highly vulnerable to teratogens.

Fetal Period

From the second month after conception until birth; characterized by growth, maturation, and brain development.

Zygote

A single cell formed at conception from the union of an egg and sperm.

Chromosome

A long thread-like DNA structure in the nucleus carrying genetic information; humans have 23 pairs.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

The double-stranded molecule that contains genetic instructions for growth, development, and functioning.

Gene

A segment of DNA that encodes instructions for making a specific protein; the basic unit of heredity.

Genotype

An individual’s complete set of genetic material inherited from biological parents.

Phenotype

Observable traits or characteristics that result from interaction of genotype with the environment.

Epigenetics

The study of how gene expression is regulated by internal and external factors without altering DNA sequence.

Teratogen

Any harmful agent (e.g., alcohol, drugs, viruses) that can cause defects during prenatal development.

Neural Tube

The embryonic structure that develops into the brain and spinal cord; forms about 3 weeks post-conception.

Pruning

The elimination of unused neural connections, refining brain networks during development.

Rooting Reflex

Newborn reflex causing the infant to turn toward a cheek touch and open the mouth.

Sucking Reflex

Automatic rhythmic sucking in response to oral stimulation in newborns.

Babinski Reflex

Infant response of fanning and curling toes when the sole of the foot is stroked.

Grasping Reflex

Newborn reflex of tightly gripping an object placed in the palm.

Stepping Reflex

Infant movement of legs as if walking when held upright with feet touching a surface.

Temperament

Inborn predispositions to react and behave in particular ways; often classified as easy, difficult, or slow-to-warm-up.

High-Reactive Infant

A temperament style marked by intense reactions to new stimuli, strangers, and novel objects.

Low-Reactive Infant

A temperament style characterized by calmness, boldness, and uninhibited reactions to novelty.

Attachment

The emotional bond formed between an infant and caregivers during the first year of life.

Contact Comfort

Harlow’s term for the pleasurable tactile sensations that infants seek from caregivers.

Strange Situation

Ainsworth’s laboratory procedure to assess infant attachment by observing reactions to separations and reunions with the mother.

Secure Attachment

Attachment style in which infants explore when the caregiver is present, show distress when absent, and are comforted at reunion.

Insecure Attachment

Attachment style typified by less exploration and varying distress/comfort patterns toward the caregiver.

Cognitive Development

Changes in thinking, reasoning, problem-solving, and understanding over the lifespan.

Jean Piaget

Swiss psychologist who proposed a four-stage theory of cognitive development in children.

Sensorimotor Stage

Piaget’s first stage (0-2 yrs) where knowledge is gained through senses and actions; object permanence develops.

Object Permanence

Understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are not perceived; achieved near the end of the sensorimotor stage.

Preoperational Stage

Piaget’s stage (2-7 yrs) marked by symbolic thought, egocentrism, centration, and lack of conservation understanding.

Egocentrism (Piaget)

The inability to take another person’s perspective, common in the preoperational stage.

Centration

Focusing on one aspect of a situation and neglecting others; leads to conservation errors.

Irreversibility

Inability to mentally reverse a sequence of events or logical operations.

Conservation

The understanding that quantity remains the same despite changes in shape or appearance; mastered in concrete operations.

Concrete Operational Stage

Piaget’s stage (7-11 yrs) where logical thinking develops for tangible objects; conservation and reversibility attained.

Formal Operational Stage

Piaget’s final stage (adolescence-adulthood) enabling abstract, hypothetical, and scientific reasoning.

Baillargeon Critique

Research suggesting infants show object permanence earlier than Piaget proposed, indicating underestimation of infant cognition.

Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)

Vygotsky’s concept of the range between what a child can do alone and what they can achieve with help.

Adolescence

The developmental period bridging childhood and adulthood, characterized by puberty and identity exploration.

Puberty

Biological stage during which an individual becomes capable of sexual reproduction.

Primary Sex Characteristics

Organs directly involved in reproduction (e.g., ovaries, testes).

Secondary Sex Characteristics

Features that appear during puberty but are not directly involved in reproduction (e.g., breasts, facial hair).

Adolescent Growth Spurt

Rapid increase in height and weight that occurs around puberty.

Menarche

A female’s first menstrual period, signaling capability for ovulation.

Puberty Blockers

Medications that temporarily halt pubertal development by suppressing sex hormones; used in some transgender youth.

Limbic System

Brain region involved in emotion; becomes more active in adolescence contributing to increased emotionality.

Frontal Lobe Maturation

Late-developing brain region responsible for planning, impulse control, and decision-making; continues into early adulthood.

Identity

A person’s integrated sense of self, encompassing memories, values, beliefs, and roles.

Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory

Eight-stage model describing lifelong social and emotional development, each stage with a specific conflict.

Identity vs. Role Confusion

Erikson’s adolescent conflict of forming a stable self-definition or experiencing uncertainty about one’s role.

Moratorium Period

Erikson’s term for a time of exploration of roles and beliefs preceding identity commitment.

Lawrence Kohlberg

Psychologist who devised a stage theory of moral reasoning based on responses to moral dilemmas.

Preconventional Level

Kohlberg’s first level where moral reasoning is guided by external consequences (rewards, punishments).

Conventional Level

Kohlberg’s second level where morality is based on conformity to social rules and maintaining order.

Postconventional Level

Kohlberg’s highest level where moral reasoning is based on internalized ethical principles.

Carol Gilligan

Psychologist who proposed an ethic-of-care perspective, critiquing Kohlberg’s male-centered model of moral reasoning.

Emerging Adulthood

Period from late teens to mid-20s marked by exploration and delayed assumption of adult roles.

Menopause

The natural end of menstruation and fertility in women, typically occurring in the late 40s to early 50s.

Andropause

Age-related gradual decline in men’s testosterone levels accompanied by reductions in sexual function.

Authoritarian Parenting

Style characterized by high demands and low responsiveness; often strict and punitive.

Permissive Parenting

Style with high warmth but few rules; may be indulgent or indifferent.

Authoritative Parenting

Balanced style combining warmth, responsiveness, and clear, age-appropriate expectations; linked to positive outcomes.

Induction (Discipline)

Authoritative technique that explains consequences of behavior to encourage internalization of rules.

Activity Theory of Aging

The view that life satisfaction in late adulthood is highest when people maintain previous activities or develop new ones.

Ego Integrity vs. Despair

Erikson’s late-adulthood conflict of reviewing life with satisfaction or regret.

Aerobic Exercise (Aging)

Physical activity shown to protect cognitive function and enlarge the hippocampus in older adults.

Object Permanence Age

Typically achieved by about 8–12 months, marking the end of Piaget’s sensorimotor stage.

Deferred Imitation

Ability to reproduce an observed action after a delay; appears in the preoperational stage.

Reversibility

Understanding that actions can be undone; mastered in concrete operations.

Adolescent Egocentrism

Heightened self-focus in adolescence, including imaginary audience and personal fable phenomena.

Teratogenic Examples

Radiation, alcohol, nicotine, prescription drugs, viruses, and maternal stress are common prenatal teratogens.

Contact Comfort (Harlow)

The pleasure derived from close physical contact, more important than food in forming attachments.

Secure Base

Attachment figure’s role as a point of safety that allows the infant to explore the environment.

Synaptic Pruning

Developmental process eliminating excess neural connections to increase efficiency in the brain.

Peak Physical Strength

Generally occurs in early adulthood, during the 20s and 30s.

Kübler-Ross Stages

Five emotional reactions to dying: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance.

Life Expectancy (US)

Average longevity: approximately 73 years for men and 79 years for women.

Generativity vs. Stagnation

Erikson’s middle-adulthood conflict of nurturing the next generation versus self-absorption.

Trust vs. Mistrust

Erikson’s infancy stage where consistent caregiving fosters a sense of security.

Industry vs. Inferiority

Erikson’s childhood stage (6-12 yrs) of developing competence through school and peer activities.

Moral Realism (Piaget)

Early view that rules are fixed and unchangeable, typical of pre-conventional moral reasoning.

Psychological Moratorium

Erikson’s term for the active exploration of roles and values during adolescence.

Assimilation (Piaget)

Integrating new information into existing cognitive schemas.

Accommodation (Piaget)

Modifying existing schemas to incorporate new information.

Critical Period

Specific time frame during which certain experiences must occur for normal development.

Adolescent Risk Behavior

Early-maturing boys and girls may engage more in alcohol, drugs, or unprotected sex.

Hippocampal Neurogenesis

Growth of new neurons in the hippocampus; stimulated by aerobic exercise even in late adulthood.