Child Development Exam Review

What is the definition of child development?

The study of how children grow and change physically, cognitively, socially, and emotionally over time.

What are the domains of development?

Physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development, and their interrelationship.

How do nature and nurture influence developmental processes?

Nature refers to heredity, while nurture refers to social and physical environments; both impact the predictability of developmental outcomes.

What is maturation in the context of child development?

The process of growth and development that occurs naturally and is largely determined by genetic factors.

What are the definitions of nature and nurture?

Nature refers to hereditary influences, while nurture refers to environmental influences.

What is the significance of nature and nurture interactions?

They highlight how genetic predispositions and environmental factors work together to shape development.

What is the definition of nuclear and extended family?

Nuclear family consists of parents and their children, while extended family includes other relatives such as grandparents, aunts, and uncles.

How do social and historical contexts impact development?

They influence the experiences and opportunities available to individuals, affecting their growth and development.

What are risk factors in child development?

Conditions or variables that increase the likelihood of negative developmental outcomes.

What is plasticity in development?

The capacity of the brain and body to change and adapt in response to experiences.

What are bi-directional processes in development?

Interactions where development influences and is influenced by various factors, including the environment.

What are the three main issues characterizing differences in developmental theories?

Nature vs. nurture,

continues vs. discontinues, and active or. passive in development

What are the definitions of Organismic and Mechanistic models of development?

Organismic models view development as a process driven by internal forces (Developmental)

Mechanistic models see it as a series of responses to external stimuli. (Behavorial)

What is Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory?

A framework that examines how various environmental systems (microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem) interact to influence a child's development.

What is a longitudinal study?

A research design that involves repeated observations of the same variables over a long period.

What is the definition and application of epigenesis?

The process by which environmental factors influence gene expression, affecting development.

What is the difference between phenotype and genotype?

Genotype is the genetic makeup of an individual (inside), while Phenotype is the observable expression of that genotype (outside).

What are canalization and reaction range?

Canalization refers to the degree to which development is constrained by genetics, while reaction range indicates the potential variability in development based on environmental influences.

What is dominant and recessive inheritance?

Dominant inheritance occurs when one allele masks the effect of another, while recessive inheritance requires two copies of an allele for expression.

What is the development of the five senses in the womb? Which develops first and which last?

Touch develops first, and sight, which develops last.

What are the Cephalocaudal and Proximodistal principles of development?

Cephalocaudal refers to development from head to toe

Proximodistal refers to development from the center of the body outward.

What is a critical period in prenatal development?

(First trimester) A specific time frame during which certain developmental processes must occur for normal development.

What is the issue of low birth weight in the USA?

linked to various risk factors, including maternal health and environmental conditions.

How do supportive environments relate to low birth weight and other risk factors?

Supportive environments can mitigate the effects of risk factors, promoting healthier outcomes for low birth weight infants.

Canalization

degree to which a trait is influenced by genetics rather than the environment

Example of Canalization

Cry → Cooing → Babbling → Phonemes → Halophrase → word use (nouns) → sentences → vocabulary