Development Psychology Vocab

Accommodation

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Changing existing schemas to incorporate new information.

Achievement

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Explored options, committed to identity; a healthy outcome of identity formation.

Achievement (of Identity)

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Having explored and committed to an identity.

Acquisition

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The initial learning phase where a connection between stimuli is strengthened.

Adolescence

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The transition period from childhood to adulthood.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE)

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Traumatic events occurring before age 18; can impact lifelong health and well-being.

Androgyny

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Displaying both traditionally male and female characteristics.

Antisocial Behavior

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Negative behaviors learned through observation and imitation of others.

Anxious Attachment

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Attachment style; extremely distressed at separation, ambivalent upon return, clingy.

Aphasia

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Language impairment, affecting production or comprehension, caused by brain damage.

Assimilation

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Interpreting new experiences using existing schemas.

Associative Learning

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Learning that certain events occur together; can be classical or operant.

Attachment

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Strong emotional bond between infant and caregiver, providing security.

Authoritarian Parenting

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Parenting style; low warmth, strict rules, demands obedience, punitive.

Authoritative Parenting

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Parenting style; high warmth, clear rules with explanations, encourages independence.

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

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Erikson's second stage; toddlers develop independence through exploration.

Avoidant Attachment

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Attachment style; little distress at separation, avoids/ignores caregiver upon return.

Babbling

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Stage of language development; repeating consonant-vowel combinations like "ba-ba-ba".

Basic Trust

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Sense that the world is predictable and trustworthy; developed during infancy.

Behavioral Perspective (Behaviorism)

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Focuses on observable behaviors and how learning occurs through conditioning in the environment.

Biological Preparedness

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Predisposition to easily learn associations that aid survival.

Broca's Area

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Brain area involved in speech production.

Chronosystem

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Dimension of time; life transitions and historical events over the lifespan.

Classical Conditioning

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Learning through association.

Cognition

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Mental processes involved in knowing, understanding, and remembering.