ITP Reviewer 2

Developmental Psychology

Branch of psychology concerned with changes in behavior across the lifespan.

Purpose of Developmental Psychology

To help individuals develop their full potential while adapting to an ever-changing environment.

Human Development

An interdisciplinary study of hereditary and environmental forces that influence growth from conception to death.

Stanley Hall

Father of Human Development.

Development

Process that produces a progressive series of orderly and coherent changes that lead to maturity.

Physical Development

Changes in bodily structure and appearance along with motor skills and physical abilities.

Psychosocial Development

Changes in social interactions, emotional responses, and personality patterns.

Cognitive Development

Changes in thinking processes affecting learning, language, memory, and problem-solving.

Three Major Paths of Development

Physical development, Psychosocial development, Cognitive development.

Qualitative Changes

Developmental changes involving improvements in kind or ability (e.g., an infant learning to walk).

Quantitative Changes

Growth-related changes that are measurable, such as height and body proportions.

Two Factors of Development

Nature (heredity) and nurture (environment).

Heredity

Process by which parental traits are passed to offspring through genes.

Environment

All physical, natural, and social forces that influence a person’s development.

Chromosomes

46 threadlike structures (23 pairs) containing genes; control hereditary traits.

Autosomes

Non-sex chromosomes responsible for most traits.

Gonosomes

Sex chromosomes (X and Y) that determine biological sex.

Genes

Basic carriers of hereditary traits.

Dominant Genes

Stronger genes whose traits appear in the offspring even if paired with a recessive gene.

Recessive Genes

Weaker genes whose traits appear only when paired with another recessive gene.

Sex Determination

XX produces a girl; XY produces a boy. The mother always contributes X; the father contributes X or Y.

Principles of Heredity

Principle of reproduction, Principle of variation, Principle of dominance and recessiveness, Principle of chance, Principle of sex-linked characteristics.

Principle of Reproduction

“Like begets like”; humans reproduce their own kind.

Principle of Variation

No two individuals are exactly alike, even identical twins.

Principle of Dominance and Recessiveness

Explains similarities and differences among family members based on gene pairing.

Principle of Chance

Within hereditary limits, chance influences which traits appear.

Principle of Sex-Linked Characteristics

Traits carried on sex chromosomes; often expressed more in males (e.g., color blindness, baldness).

Hereditary Physical Traits

Appearance such as height, body build, complexion, facial features; includes physical defects and diseases.

Hereditary Mental Traits

IQ, limitations, predispositions to mental disorders.

Hereditary Special Talents

Abilities in arts, music, sports, writing, numbers.

Prenatal Period

Period of gestation from conception to birth (~9 months).

Germinal Stage

First two weeks after fertilization; zygote begins development.

Embryonic Stage

Second week to 8th week; formation of major structures and organs; most hazardous period.

Fetal Stage

8th week to birth; continued growth and development; increased fetal movement.

Multiple Births

Identical (one egg divides); Fraternal (two eggs fertilized separately).

Identical Twins

Monozygotic twins from one fertilized egg; same genetic makeup and same sex.

Fraternal Twins

Dizygotic twins from two different eggs and sperm; genetically similar as normal siblings.

Types of Birth

Natural birth, Instrument birth, Breech birth, Transverse presentation birth, Cesarean-section birth.

Natural Birth

Fetus emerges head-first followed by shoulders, arms, and legs.

Instrument Birth

Assisted by surgical tools when fetus is too large or poorly positioned.

Breech Birth

Fetus emerges buttocks first; legs, arms, and head follow.

Transverse Presentation

Baby lies crosswise; requires medical intervention.

Cesarean Birth

Surgical delivery through an incision in the abdominal wall.

Postnatal Stage

From birth until establishment of independent functioning.

Period of Partunate

First 15–20 minutes after birth; infant becomes a separate being.

Period of Neonate

Remainder of infancy until the umbilical cord falls off (~2 weeks); major adjustments occur.

Babyhood Stage

2nd week to 2nd year; called “Age of Helplessness” due to dependence on adults.

Early Childhood

2–6 years; “Age of Curiosity”; rapid learning of skills.

Preschool Age

Period of exploration, questioning, and early skill formation.

Late Childhood

6–10 years; elementary years; “Smart Stage” and “Gang Stage” focused on peers and belonging.