Developmental Psychology Vocabulary

Flashcards covering key vocabulary terms and concepts from a Developmental Psychology lecture.

Developmental Psychology

The study of how the brain, body, and behavior changes over the lifespan, encompassing both normal and abnormal development.

Nature-nurture

Influence of genetics and biology on development versus the influence of learning and environment.

Activity-passivity

The degree to which individuals shape their own development versus being passively shaped by external factors.

Continuity-discontinuity

The debate on whether developmental change is gradual and incremental or involves distinct stages.

Universality-context-specificity

Whether developmental processes are universal or vary across cultures and contexts.

Prenatal period

From conception to birth.

Infancy and toddlerhood

From birth to 3 years.

Preschool period

From 3 to 6 years.

Middle childhood

From 6 to 12 years.

Adolescence

From 12 to 20 years.

Emerging adulthood

From 18 to 25 years.

Early adulthood

From 20 to 40 years.

Middle adulthood

From 40 to 65 years.

Late adulthood

From 65 to death.

Cross-sectional designs

A research design that compares different groups of people at the same point in time.

Longitudinal designs

A research design that follows the same group of people over a period of time.

Sequential designs

A research design that combines cross-sectional and longitudinal approaches.

Zygote

The single cell formed at conception from the union of a sperm and an egg.

Embryo

The developing human organism from about 2 weeks after fertilization through the second month.

Foetus

The developing human organism from 9 weeks after conception to birth.

Teratogen

An agent or factor that causes malformation of an embryo.

Placenta

Acts as a bouncer to the foetus and lets in nutrients and screens out some harmful bacteria and helps to expel waste.

Moro reflex

Embrace reflex displayed by newborns.

Palmar reflex

Grasping reflex displayed by newborns.

Rooting reflex

Head Turning reflex displayed by newborns.

Schemas

Mental categories for understanding the world.

Equilibrium

The effort by the organism to exist in harmony with its environment, i.e., to reduce cognitive conflict (disequilibrium).

Assimilation

Fitting new experiences into existing schemes.

Accommodation

Modifying schemes as a result of new experiences.

Sensorimotor Period

From 0-2 years, infants use senses and motor abilities to understand the world.

Object permanence

Knowing an object still exists even if not in view

Preoperational Period

occurs from 2-7 years and is characterised by symbolic thinking and imagination, but with limitations such as egocentrism and lack of conservation.

Egocentrism

Difficulty seeing world from others’ perspectives - Lack Theory of Mind.

Animism

Crediting inanimate objects with life and life-like properties.

Centration

Concentrating on only one facet of a problem to the neglect of other facets which Interferes with conservation.

Lack Conservation

Ability to determine that a certain quantity will remain the same despite adjustment of another property.

Concrete operational period

occurs from 7-12 years and in this stage, children learn to understand basic concepts such as number, classification, and conservation.

Formal operational period

occurs from 11 years and up and is characterised by abstract reasoning and hypothetical thinking.

Zone of Proximal Development

The difference between what children can do with or without assistance.

Stranger anxiety

Distress over contact with unfamiliar people.

Separation anxiety

Distress seen in many infants when separated from people with whom they have formed an attachment.

Pre-attachment stage

Bowlby's first stage of attachment, from birth to 6-8 weeks.

Attachment in the making

Bowlby's second stage of attachment, from 6-8 weeks to 6-8 months.

True attachment

Bowlby's third stage of attachment, from 6-8 months to 18 months.

Reciprocal relationships

Bowlby's fourth stage of attachment, from 18 months on.

Strange Situation Test

A structured observation used to assess the quality of attachment between a child and caregiver.

Secure Attachment

Attachment style where infants explore freely when the caregiver is present, show distress when the caregiver leaves, and respond enthusiastically upon their return.

Insecure-avoidant Attachment

Attachment style where infants show minimal interest in the caregiver and little distress when the caregiver leaves.

Insecure-anxious (ambivalent) Attachment

Attachment style where infants show little exploration, high levels of distress when the caregiver leaves, and are not easily comforted upon their return.

Disorganised Attachment

Attachment style where infants react in contradictory ways and show inconsistent behavior when separated from and reunited with the caregiver.

Pre-conventional Morality

Kohlberg's morality involving avoiding punishment and self-interest.

Conventional Morality

Kohlberg's morality involving 'Good child’ attitude and law and order morality.

Post conventional Morality

Kohlberg's morality involving social contract and personal ethics.

Emerging Adulthood

A distinct subjective experience that occurs between the ages of 18-25 that allows distinct identity explorations.

Crystallised intelligence

Ability derived from previous experience (e.g., knowledge, verbal skills).

Fluid intelligence

Ability to perceive relationships independent of experience (e.g., speed & accuracy of information processing).

Generativity

Erikson's stage in middle adulthood, involving an interest in establishing and guiding the next generation.

Stagnation

Erikson's stage in middle adulthood, involving not seeking outlets for involvement /being self-centred.

Integrity vs despair struggle

Erikson's final stage where one struggles to figure out if your life had integrity or despair.