Developmental Psychology

A collection of flashcards covering key concepts in developmental psychology, including definitions and explanations of various terms related to the study of human development.

Developmental Psychology

The scientific study of how and why people change over the course of their life in cognitive, emotional, social, and physical domains.

Nature & Nurture

The interaction between genetic inheritance (nature) and life experiences (nurture) that shape human development.

Continuity

Developmental changes that occur gradually and steadily, where each step builds directly on the previous one.

Stages

Specific phases in development characterized by sudden shifts that differentiate one phase from another.

Stability & Change

Understanding how individuals remain the same in some aspects but evolve and adapt in others throughout life.

Longitudinal Research

A study method that follows the same individuals over time to observe how behaviors, traits, and abilities change.

Cross-Sectional Research

A research method that studies different age groups at the same time to infer developmental changes.

Prenatal Development

The process of growth and development within the womb from conception until birth.

Teratogens

Harmful substances that can cause developmental abnormalities or birth defects when a fetus is exposed to them during prenatal development.

Reflexes

Automatic, instinctual responses that newborns are born with, aiding in their survival.

Maturation

The biological growth process that leads to orderly changes in behavior, guided by genetics and largely unaffected by experience.

Sensitive Period

A critical time in early development when the brain is especially receptive to learning specific skills.

Imprinting

A form of early learning in which certain animals form strong attachments to the first moving object they see after birth.

Attachment Styles

Patterns of behavior that describe how children form emotional bonds with caregivers, influencing future relationships.

Temperament

Innate traits that influence how children respond to their environment, laid down early in life.

Cognitive Development

The process by which children acquire the ability to think, reason, and understand the world around them.

Schemas

Cognitive frameworks that help individuals organize and interpret information.

Assimilation

The process of incorporating new information into existing schemas.

Accommodation

The process of altering existing schemas or creating new ones to fit new information.

Social Clock

Cultural timeline that sets expected ages for key life events, shaping social expectations for individuals.

Emerging Adulthood

Transitional life stage from late teens to mid-20s marked by exploration and self-discovery.

Adolescent Egocentrism

Increased self-focus during adolescence, leading to the belief that one's experiences are unique.

Imaginary Audience

The phenomenon in adolescence where individuals believe others are constantly watching and judging their behavior.

Possible Selves

Various versions of who individuals might become in the future, including aspirational selves and feared selves.

Social Identity

An individual's sense of self based on their membership in social groups.

Identity Diffusion

A state where individuals have not yet explored or committed to life choices, leading to uncertainty about their sense of self.

Identity Foreclosure

The stage where individuals commit to goals or values without actively exploring alternatives.

Identity Moratorium

A stage where individuals actively explore different life paths but have not yet made a commitment.

Identity Achievement

The stage where individuals have explored various life paths and made firm decisions about their beliefs and goals.