AP Psychology | Unit 9 - Development

Jean Piaget

Psychologist who created the Four stage theory of cognitive development: 1. sensorimotor, 2. preoperational, 3. concrete operational, and 4. formal operational.

schemas

a concept or framework that organizes and interprets information

assimilation

Interpretation of new experiences and concepts based on existing knowledge and schemas

accomodation

adapting one's current understandings (schemas) to incorporate new information

sensorimotor stage

in Piaget's theory, the stage (from birth to about 2 years of age) during which infants know the world mostly in terms of their sensory impressions and motor activities

object permanence

the awareness that an object exists even when it is not in sight

preoperational stage

in Piaget's theory, the stage (from about 2 to 6 or 7 years of age) during which a child learns to use language but does not yet comprehend the mental operations of concrete logic

conservation

Jean Piaget's principle that properties such as mass, volume, and number remain the same despite changes in the forms of objects.

reversibility

the ability to recognize that numbers or objects can be changed and returned to their original condition

concrete operational stage

3rd stage of Piaget's theory of cognitive development from ages 7-11 in which children understand basic math operations, the concept of conservation, and the ability to think logically

formal operational stage

in Piaget's theory, the stage of cognitive development (normally beginning about age 12) during which people learn abstract thinking, hypothetical, consequences, and systematic reasoning

Harry Harlow

Conducted Harlow's Monkey Experiment in which he studied affection and attachment

attachment

an emotional tie with another person

shown in young children by their seeking closeness to the caregiver and showing distress on separation

Mary Ainsworth

Conducted the "Strange Situation Experiment", in which babies' attachment to their mothers was measured

strange situation

a behavioral test developed by Mary Ainsworth that is used to determine a child's attachment style

Erik Erikson

Developed the 8 psychosocial stages of development: a theory that shows how people evolve through the life span.