Stages of Human Development to Know for AP Psychology (2025) (AP)

studied byStudied by 1 person
0.0(0)
Get a hint
Hint

Prenatal development

1 / 66

67 Terms

1

Prenatal development

encompasses the stages a human undergoes before birth, progressing through three main phases.

New cards
2

Germinal Stage (0-2 weeks)

Begins at conception, with the fertilized egg becoming a zygote and attaching to the uterine wall.

New cards
3

Embryonic Stage (3-8 weeks)

Major organs and body systems develop; critical period for the impact of teratogens (e.g., drugs, alcohol) which can cause birth defects.

New cards
4

Fetal Stage (9 weeks-birth)

Continued growth and development, with the maturation of organs and physical characteristics.

New cards
5

Infancy

is a period of rapid physical and neurological development, where sensory, motor, and emotional foundations are established.

New cards
6

Physical Growth

Infants double their birth weight by 5-6 months and triple it by one year.

New cards
7

Attachment

Infants form emotional bonds with caregivers, critical for emotional security and social development.

New cards
8

Motor Skills

Basic reflexes (grasping, rooting) evolve into voluntary movements like sitting, crawling, and walking.

New cards
9

Toddlerhood

marks a period of increasing independence, language acquisition, and initial social skills.

New cards
10

Language

Vocabulary grows rapidly, often resulting in a "vocabulary explosion."

New cards
11

Autonomy

Toddlers begin asserting independence, seeking to explore and make choices.

New cards
12

Social Interaction

Parallel play emerges, where toddlers play alongside each other but not directly with one another.

New cards
13

Early Childhood

 A stage marked by the expansion of imaginative play, improved motor skills, and early social understanding.

New cards
14

Imaginative Play

Fosters creativity, problem-solving, and social skills through pretend scenarios.

New cards
15

Motor Skills

Gross motor skills (running, jumping) and fine motor skills (drawing, dressing) develop.

New cards
16

Social Norms

Children begin to understand rules, fairness, and cooperative play.

New cards
17

Middle Childhood

A stage characterized by cognitive, social, and emotional growth, as well as the development of self-concept.

New cards
18

Adolescence

A period of significant physical, social, and emotional changes, including identity exploration.

New cards
19

Early Adulthood

focuses on establishing intimate relationships, career building, and setting personal goals.

New cards
20

Middle Adulthood

A stage marked by reflection on achievements, shifts in family dynamics, and physical aging.

New cards
21

Late Adulthood

Involve cognitive changes, reflection on life, and the importance of social connections.

New cards
22

Erikson's Psychosocial Stages

Theory suggests that each stage of life presents a unique psychosocial conflict that affects personality development.

New cards
23

Trust vs. Mistrust

The conflict in infancy, where consistent caregiving fosters trust, while inconsistent care may lead to mistrust.

New cards
24

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

Occurs in toddlerhood, focusing on a child's ability to assert independence and self-control.

New cards
25

Identity vs. Role Confusion

A central issue in adolescence, involving exploration of personal values and goals to form a cohesive sense of self.

New cards
26

Integrity vs. Despair

The final conflict in late adulthood, where individuals reflect on their life with a sense of fulfillment or regret.

New cards
27

Piaget's Cognitive Development Theory

Theory posits that children go through four stages of cognitive development, each marked by distinct ways of thinking and understanding the world.

New cards
28

Schema

A mental framework or concept that helps individuals organize and interpret information.

New cards
29

Assimilation

The process of incorporating new experiences into existing schemas.

New cards
30

Accommodation

The process of modifying existing schemas to incorporate new information.

New cards
31

Sensorimotor Stage (0-2 years)

Infants learn through sensory experiences and movement; develops object permanence (understanding that objects exist even when not seen).

New cards
32

Preoperational Stage (2-7 years)

Symbolic thinking and imagination emerge, but thinking is egocentric, meaning children have difficulty understanding perspectives other than their own.

New cards
33

Concrete Operational Stage (7-11 years)

Children develop logical reasoning for concrete, tangible concepts but struggle with abstract ideas.

New cards
34

Formal Operational Stage (12+ years)

Abstract reasoning, problem-solving, and hypothetical thinking become possible.

New cards
35

Kohlberg's Moral Development Theory

describes the progression of moral reasoning through three levels, each marked by different motivations and ethical principles.

New cards
36

Moral Reasoning

The thought process individuals use to determine what is right or wrong.

New cards
37

Pre-Conventional Level

Morality based on self-interest, often with an aim to avoid punishment or gain rewards.

New cards
38

Conventional Level

Morality based on societal rules and gaining approval from others; focuses on conformity and maintaining social order.

New cards
39

Post-Conventional Level

Morality based on ethical principles and personal values that may transcend laws and social rules.

New cards
40

Attachment Theory

suggests that early relationships, particularly with caregivers, are foundational for emotional and social development.

New cards
41

Attachment Styles

Patterns of behavior in relationships that stem from early attachment experiences with caregivers.

New cards
42

Secure Attachment

Characterized by confidence in caregiver availability and a balanced approach to dependence and exploration.

New cards
43

Anxious Attachment

Characterized by clinginess or dependency due to inconsistent caregiving.

New cards
44

Avoidant Attachment

Marked by emotional distance and self-reliance due to unavailable or dismissive caregivers.

New cards
45

Separation Anxiety

Emotional distress shown by infants when separated from primary caregivers, indicating attachment formation.

New cards
46

Freud's Psychosexual Stages

personality develops through five stages, each focused on a different erogenous zone or pleasure area.

New cards
47

Erogenous Zones

Body areas that are particularly sensitive to stimulation and are associated with each developmental stage (e.g., mouth, anus).

New cards
48

Fixation

A persistent focus on an earlier stage due to unresolved conflicts, which can affect personality and behavior in adulthood.

New cards
49

Oedipus Complex

A term for a child’s feelings of desire for the opposite-sex parent and jealousy toward the same-sex parent, typically occurring in the phallic stage.

New cards
50

Oral Stage (0-1 year)

Pleasure centers on the mouth, through activities like sucking and eating.

New cards
51

Anal Stage (1-3 years):

Pleasure focuses on bowel and bladder control, with a central conflict around toilet training.

New cards
52

Phallic Stage (3-6 years):

Focus on the genital area; children may develop the Oedipus or Electra complex.

New cards
53

Latency Stage (6-puberty):

Sexual impulses are repressed, with energy directed to social and intellectual pursuits.

New cards
54

Genital Stage (puberty onward)

Sexual impulses re-emerge, leading to mature romantic relationships.

New cards
55

Language Development

The process through which individuals learn to understand and communicate through spoken or written language.

New cards
56

Phonemes

The smallest units of sound in a language, such as consonants and vowels.

New cards
57

Syntax

The set of rules that govern sentence structure and word order.

New cards
58

Social Interaction Theory

The theory that language develops through social interactions and is influenced by caregivers' feedback and interaction.

New cards
59

Social development

refers to the progression of social skills, understanding of social norms, and forming relationships.

New cards
60

Emotional Development

 is the process by which individuals learn to recognize, express, and regulate emotions.

New cards
61

Physical Development

 Refers to the changes in body structure, motor skills, and health that occur throughout the lifespan.

New cards
62

Identity Formation

 The development of a cohesive sense of self, particularly prominent in adolescence as individuals explore their values, beliefs, and goals.

New cards
63

Cognitive Development

Refers to changes in thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities across the lifespan.

New cards
64

Metacognition

Awareness and understanding of one’s own thought processes, essential for self-directed learning and growth.

New cards
65

Crystallized Intelligence

Knowledge and skills accumulated over a lifetime, often remaining stable or improving with age.

New cards
66

Cognitive Flexibility

The ability to adapt thinking in response to changing goals or environmental demands, critical in problem-solving.

New cards
67

Fluid Intelligence

The ability to solve new problems and think abstractly, typically peaking in young adulthood and slowly declining with age.

New cards

Explore top notes

note Note
studied byStudied by 4 people
... ago
5.0(1)
note Note
studied byStudied by 21 people
... ago
5.0(1)
note Note
studied byStudied by 21 people
... ago
5.0(1)
note Note
studied byStudied by 1 person
... ago
5.0(1)
note Note
studied byStudied by 6 people
... ago
5.0(1)
note Note
studied byStudied by 31 people
... ago
5.0(1)
note Note
studied byStudied by 6 people
... ago
5.0(1)
note Note
studied byStudied by 674 people
... ago
5.0(4)

Explore top flashcards

flashcards Flashcard (63)
studied byStudied by 22 people
... ago
5.0(1)
flashcards Flashcard (85)
studied byStudied by 14 people
... ago
5.0(1)
flashcards Flashcard (183)
studied byStudied by 7 people
... ago
5.0(1)
flashcards Flashcard (20)
studied byStudied by 1 person
... ago
5.0(1)
flashcards Flashcard (34)
studied byStudied by 21 people
... ago
5.0(1)
flashcards Flashcard (58)
studied byStudied by 17 people
... ago
5.0(1)
flashcards Flashcard (58)
studied byStudied by 12 people
... ago
5.0(2)
flashcards Flashcard (76)
studied byStudied by 452 people
... ago
5.0(7)
robot