Module 42: Developmental Issues, Prenatal Development, and the Newborn

Developmental psychology

studies physical, cognitive, and social changes throughout the lifespan

Nature vs Nurture

How does our genetic inheritance (nature) interact with our experiences (nurture) to influence our development

Continuity vs Stages

Parts of development are gradual and continuous, like riding an escalator; Parts change abruptly in separate stages (climbing on a ladder)

Stability vs Change

Which traits persist through life and how we change with age

Conception

process of a sperm fertilizing an egg, which marks the beginning of pregnancy

prenatal development

process of growth and development of an embryo and fetus from fertilization to birth

zygote

fertilized egg: enter a 2 week period of rapid cell division into an embryo

embryo

developing human organs and made 2 weeks ago in the 2nd month

Fetus

developing human 9 weeks from conception to birth

teratogens

“monster maker” agents such as chemicals and viruses, can reach embryo or fetus during prenatal development and cause harm

fetal alcohol syndrome

physical and cognitive abnormalities with children caused by pregnant women drinking. Signs include small but proportional head and abnormal facial features

habituation

decreasing responsiveness with repeated stimulation. Infants gain familiarity with repeated exposure to stimulus their interest wanes and they look away