psych week 4

Prenatal Development

The process that begins at conception and lasts until birth, divided into three stages: germinal, embryonic, and fetal.

Germinal Stage

The first stage of prenatal development, lasting from weeks 1-2, starting with the fertilization of an egg and formation of a zygote.

Blastocyst

A structure formed in the early development that implants itself in the uterine wall around days 6-10.

Embryonic Stage

The second stage of prenatal development, lasting from weeks 3-8, where organ systems begin to develop.

Ectoderm

The outer germ layer that develops into the skin and nervous system.

Mesoderm

The middle germ layer responsible for forming muscles, bones, and the circulatory system.

Endoderm

The inner germ layer that develops into the digestive and respiratory systems.

Fetal Stage

The final stage of prenatal development, lasting from week 9 until birth, characterized by growth and maturation of organs.

Viability

The ability of the fetus to survive outside the womb, increasing significantly around week 24.

Teratogens

Harmful substances that can cause birth defects if exposure occurs, especially during the embryonic stage.

Rooting Reflex

A reflex where a baby turns its head and opens its mouth when the cheek is touched, aiding in feeding.

Moro Reflex

A startle reflex in infants, where they throw out their arms and legs when startled.

Sensorimotor Stage

Piaget's first stage of cognitive development (0-2 years), where infants learn through sensory experiences and motor activities.

A-not-B error

A cognitive error in infants where they search for an object in the place they last found it rather than where it was hidden.

Egocentrism

A characteristic of the preoperational stage where children cannot view situations from perspectives other than their own.

Concrete Operational Stage

Piaget's stage (7-11 years) where children begin to think logically about concrete events and understand conservation.

Formal Operational Stage

The final stage of Piaget's theory (12+ years), where individuals can think abstractly and use deductive reasoning.

Self-Concept

Awareness of oneself, which begins to develop around 18 months of age.

Attachment Styles

Different patterns of attachment in children as identified in Ainsworth's Strange Situation.

Secure Attachment

Characterized by distress when a caregiver leaves but comfort upon their return, developed through responsive caregiving.

Ambivalent (Resistant) Attachment

Characterized by extreme distress upon caregiver departure and resistance to comfort, stemming from inconsistent caregiving.

Avoidant Attachment

Characterized by little distress when a caregiver leaves and avoidance upon return, resulting from unresponsive caregiving.

Disorganized Attachment

Behavior that is confusing or contradictory, linked to neglect or trauma.

Nature vs. Nurture

The debate concerning the relative importance of genetics (nature) and environment (nurture) in shaping behavior and development.

Temperament

The innate aspect of an individual's personality that can affect their behavior and how they react to their environment.

Preconventional Morality

Kohlberg's first level of moral reasoning, focused on punishment and reward.

Conventional Morality

The second level of moral reasoning where the focus is on social rules and laws.

Postconventional Morality

The highest level of moral reasoning, emphasizing personal ethics and justice.

Moral reasoning

The process of determining right from wrong, which does not automatically lead to moral behavior.