Developmental Psychology: Key Concepts and Theories

Multidirectional

Development occurs in various directions and pathways.

Multicontextual

Development influenced by multiple surrounding contexts.

Multicultural

Development shaped by diverse cultural backgrounds.

Multidisciplinary

Involves multiple academic disciplines for understanding.

Sensitive Period

Optimal time for easier development in certain skills.

Microsystem

Immediate environment like family and peers.

Exosystem

External settings that indirectly influence development.

Macrosystem

Broader cultural, economic, and political influences.

Chronosystem

Historical context affecting development over time.

Cohort

Group of individuals born around the same time.

Mesosystem

Connections between different systems affecting development.

Intersectionality

Influence of multiple social identities on individuals.

Cross-sectional Research

Comparing different age groups at one time.

Longitudinal Research

Studying the same individuals over time.

Cross-sequential Research

Combines cross-sectional and longitudinal methods.

Positive Correlation

Both variables increase or decrease together.

Negative Correlation

One variable increases while the other decreases.

Psychoanalytic Theory

Focus on unconscious processes influencing behavior.

Behaviorism

Emphasizes observable behavior and learning.

Multicultural basis

Understanding behavior through diverse cultural perspectives.

US Behavioralism

Focus on observable behaviors rather than internal states.

John Watson

Advocated for studying measurable behaviors only.

B.F. Skinner

Pioneered operant conditioning based on Pavlov's work.

Operant conditioning

Learning through consequences of behavior.

Social learning theory

Learning by observing others, not just conditioning.

Piaget's stages

Cognitive development stages: sensorimotor to formal operational.

Cognitive equilibrium

Balance between existing knowledge and new experiences.

Assimilation

Integrating new experiences into existing frameworks.

Information processing theory

Compares human cognition to computer operations.

Sociocultural theory

Development through social interactions and cultural context.

Vygotsky

Emphasized mentorship in cognitive development.

ZPD (Zone of Proximal Development)

Range of tasks a child can perform with guidance.

Eclectic approach

Combining multiple theoretical perspectives for understanding.

Bioecological theory

Examines development within multiple environmental contexts.

PPCT model

Person-process-context-time framework for understanding development.

Test of Gross Motor Development-2

Assessment tool for evaluating children's motor skills.

CSS method

Technique for summarizing central ideas and anchors.

Cross-sectional study

Research comparing different age groups at one time.

Games with peers

Facilitate exercise and social interaction for children.

Differential susceptibility

Variability in individuals' responses to experiences and stimuli.

Diathesis

Genetic predisposition increasing susceptibility to stimuli.

Diathesis-stress model

Relationship between predisposition and stress affects disorders.

Continuity

Consistency in behavior or characteristics over time.

Difference = deficit error

Belief deviations from norms indicate inferiority is false.

Retrospective study

Research analyzing memories of past events.

The Nun Study

Research showing education impacts Alzheimer's risk.

ABCs of behavior

Antecedents, Behaviors, Consequences framework for analysis.

Experimental design

Research method manipulating variables to determine effects.

Quasi-experimental

Non-random assignment to groups, observing effects.

Correlational study

Examines relationships between variables without manipulation.

Psychoanalytic theory

Freud's theory on personality and child development stages.

Freud's stages

Developmental stages: oral, anal, phallic, latency, genital.

Id

Part of personality representing basic instincts.

Superego

Moral conscience influenced by societal values.

Ego

Mediator between id and superego, reality principle.

Classical conditioning

Learning through association of stimuli and responses.

Methylation

Chemical modification affecting gene expression and activity.

Copy number variation

Genetic alterations involving repeats or deletions of DNA.

Genotype

Genetic makeup of an individual inherited from parents.

CRISPR

Gene-editing technology with ethical implications.

Phenotype

Observable traits influenced by genetics and environment.

Additive Interaction

Genes and alleles combine to influence phenotype.

X-linked Color Blindness

Color blindness linked to X chromosome inheritance.

Nearsightedness (Myopia)

Inherited condition causing difficulty seeing far.

Trisomy

Condition with three copies of a chromosome.

Patau Syndrome

Trisomy 13, often fatal condition.

Edwards Syndrome

Trisomy 18, severe developmental issues.

Down Syndrome

Trisomy 21, characterized by distinct physical traits.

Turner Syndrome

Chromosomal disorder affecting females, often XXY.

Fragile X Syndrome

Genetic condition leading to intellectual disability.

Sickle-Cell Trait

Provides partial immunity to malaria.

Child Brain Development

Brain matures from back to front.

Brainstem

Develops first, controls basic life functions.

Cerebellum

Coordinates movement and balance.

Amygdala

Brain region regulating emotions and survival instincts.

Neuroplasticity

Brain's ability to change with experience.

Pleiotropic Inheritance

Single gene influences multiple traits.

Epigenetics

Gene expression changes influenced by environmental factors.

Herd Immunity

Protection achieved when enough people are vaccinated.

Variolation

Inoculation using smallpox pus into healthy skin.

Inoculation

Introducing smallpox sores into skin for immunity.

Cotton Mather

Minister who supported smallpox vaccination in Salem.

Edward Jenner

Pioneered smallpox vaccination using cowpox material.

Louis Pasteur

Developed cholera vaccine using weakened bacteria.

Jonas Salk

Created polio vaccine without patenting it.

MMR Vaccine

Combination vaccine for measles, mumps, and rubella.

Wakefield Scam

Discredited study falsely linking MMR vaccine to autism.

Andrew Wakefield

Surgeon behind the fraudulent MMR-autism study.

Measles Statistics

Pre-vaccine era: 2.6 million deaths annually.

Polio Epidemic

Early 1900s outbreak led to vaccine development.

March of Dimes

Foundation supporting polio vaccine research.

Anti-Vax Attitudes

Caused by fear, misinformation, and distrust.

Celebrity Influence

Celebrities can sway public opinion on vaccines.

Public Act 21-6

Repealed religious exemption for vaccinations in CT.

Hypothalamus

Regulates biological clock via SCN.

Endocrine hormones

Hormones released during sleep include melatonin.

REM Sleep

Rapid eye movement sleep, similar to awake state.

Sleep spindles

Higher frequency waves in Stage 2 sleep.

Delta waves

Deep sleep waves in NREM Stage 3.