Developmental Psychology Lecture Notes Review

These flashcards cover key vocabulary

Human Development

The concept that spans a person's entire life from conception to death, this process can be positive or negative.

Life-span Development

The study of human development as a lifelong process that can be studied scientifically.

Domains of Development

Three major areas targeted in human development: Physical, Cognitive, and Psychosocial Development.

Psychosocial Development

Development involving emotions, personality, and social relationships.

Imprinting (Konrad Lorenz)

An instinctive form of learning where a young animal forms an attachment to the first moving object it sees during a critical period.

Critical Period

A specific time during development when a particular event has a significant impact.

Plasticity

The ability for many functions, such as memory and strength, to change in response to experiences even in adulthood.

Generativity vs. Stagnation

Erikson's stage in middle adulthood where one either contributes to society or feels unproductive.

Normative Age-Graded Influences

Events that impact people in a specific age group, such as puberty.

Sensory Development

The growth and improvement of senses, which develop rapidly during infancy.

Emotion Regulation

The ability to effectively manage and respond to emotional experiences.

Apgar Scale

A quick test performed on newborns to assess their health status.

Epigenetic Influences

Environmental factors that influence the expression of genes without altering the DNA sequence.

Age-Related Cognitive Decline

Loss of cognitive function associated with aging, especially in memory and processing speeds.

8 stages of human development

prenatal (conception to birth)

infancy and toddlerhood (birth to age 3)

early childhood (3-6)

middle childhood (6-11)

adolescence (11-20)

emerging and young adulthood (20-45)

middle adulthood (45-65)

late adulthood (65+)

Two-generational kinship, economic, and household unit consisting of one or two parents and their children, whether biological, adopted, or stepchildren.

nuclear family

first age

childhood and adolescence

second age

prime adulthood (20-59)

third age

60-79

fourth age

80 and beyond

Connectedness with others and the social roles individuals adopt.

social age

Individual’s adaptive capacities compared with those of other individuals of the same chronological age.

psychological age (maturity)

Number of years that have elapsed since birth.

chronological age