AP Psych - Development Part 1 (Toto-2025-2026)

Macrosystem

in ecological systems theory, the level of environmental influence that is most distal to the developing individual and that affects all other systems. It includes the values, traditions, and sociocultural characteristics of the larger society.

maturation

Biological growth processes that enable orderly changes in behavior, relatively uninfluenced by experience.

menarch

The first incidence of menstruation in a female, marking the onset of puberty

menopause

The time of natural cessation of menstruation; also refers to the biological changes a woman experiences as her ability to reproduce decline

mesosystem

In ecological systems theory, the groups and institutions outside the home (e.g., day care, school, a child's peer group) that influence the child's development and interact with aspects of the microsystem (e.g., relations in the home).

microsystem

Within ecological systems theory, the layer closest to the child and contains the structures with which the child has direct contact. This encompasses the relationships and interactions a child has with her immediate surroundings

nature and nurture

The issue over the relative contributions of hereditary and constitutional factors (nature) and environmental factors (nurture) to the development of an individual.

permissive parenting style

A parenting style that allows freedom, lax parenting that doesn't set limits or enforce rules constantly.

primary sex characteristics

The body structures (ovaries, testes, and external genitalia) that make sexual reproduction possible.

puberty

Period of sexual maturation in which one is capable of reproducing.

infant reflexes

a set of muscle reactions that happen automatically in response to a certain type of stimulation but that disappears as the child grows older

rooting reflex

A baby's tendency, when touched on the cheek, to turn toward the touch, open the mouth, and search for the nipple.

secondary sex characteristics

Nonreproductive sexual characteristics, such as female breasts and hips, male voice quality, and body hair.

secure attachment

Demonstrated by infants who comfortably explore environments in the presence of their caregiver, show only temporary distress when the caregiver leaves, and find comfort in the caregiver's return.

separation anxiety

The fear of unfamiliar people which is demonstrated around 8 months of age.

sexual orientation

One's enduring sexual attraction to male partners, female partners, both, or otherwise.

social clock

The culturally preferred timing of social events such as marriage, parenthood, and retirement.

spermarche

A male's first ejaculation of semen.

stability and change

In developmental psychology, this issue concerns the extent to which personal factors (e.g., personality, intelligence, skills) remain constant across the lifespan or change as people age

temperament

A person's characteristics emotional reactivity and intensity.

teratogen

An agent that can reach the embryo or fetus during prenatal development and cause harm.

theory of mind

People's ideas about their own and other's mental states - about their feelings, perceptions, and thoughts, and the behaviors these might predict.

adverse childhood experiences (ACES)

stressful events that can occur in childhood and have long-term impacts on health, opportunity, and well-being

anxious attachment

Pattern in which an infant becomes anxious before the primary caregiver leaves, is extremely upset during his or her absence, and both seeks and resists contact on his or her return.

attachment

An emotional tie with another person; shown in young children by their seeking closeness to the caregiver and showing distress on separation.

attachment styles

The characteristic way people relate to others in the context of intimate relationships. Theoretically, the degree of attachment security in adults is related directly to how well they bonded to others as children. These include secure and insecure (avoidant, anxious, and disorganized).

authoritarian parenting style

Style of parenting in which parent is rigid and overly strict, showing little warmth to the child.

authoritative parenting style

avoidant attachment

Infants who seem unresponsive to the parent when they are present, are usually not distressed when she leaves, and avoid the parent when they return

chronosystem

in ecological systems theory, changes and continuities occurring over time that influence an individual's development. These influences include normative life transitions (e.g., school entry, marriage, retirement), nonnormative life transitions (e.g., divorce, winning the lottery, relocation), and the cumulative effects of the entire sequence of transitions over the life course.

contact comfort

The positive effects experienced by infants or young animals when in close proximity to soft materials.

continuous vs. discontinuous development

An issue in developmental psychology concerning whether development occurs gradually or in distinct stages.

critical/sensitive period

An optimal period shortly after birth when an organism's exposure to certain stimuli or experiences produces proper development

cross-sectional research

A study in which people of different ages are compared with one another.

crystallized intelligence

Our accumulated knowledge and verbal skills; tends to increase with age.

dementia

A chronic or persistent disorder of the mental processes caused by brain disease or injury and marked by memory disorders, personality changes, and impaired reasoning.

disorganized attachment

A child with a disorganized/disoriented attachment style seems to have an inconsistent way of coping with the stress of the strange situation. The child may cry during the separation, but avoid the mother when she returns, or the child may approach the mother but then freeze or fall to the floor.

ecological systems theory

A body of theory and research concerned with the processes and conditions that govern the course of human development in the environments in which human beings live

egocentrism

in Piaget's theory, the preoperational child's difficulty taking another's point of view.

emerging adulthood

For some people in modern cultures, a period from the late teens to mid-20s, bridging the gap between adolescent dependence and full independence and responsible adulthood.

exosystem

in ecological systems theory, those societal structures that function largely independently of the individual but nevertheless affect the immediate context within which they develop. They include the government, the legal system, and the media.

fine motor coordination

Activities or skills that require coordination of small muscles to control small, precise movements, particularly in the hands and face. Examples include handwriting, drawing, cutting, and manipulating small objects.

fluid intelligence

Our ability to reason speedily and abstractly; tends to decrease during late adulthood.

gender

A social construct and generally based on the norms, behaviors, and societal roles expected of individuals based primarily on their sex.

gross motor coordination

Activities or skills that use large muscles to move the trunk or limbs and control posture to maintain balance. Examples include waving an arm, walking, hopping, and running.

imprinting

The process by which certain animals form attachments during a critical period very early in life.

insecure attachment

Demonstrated by infants who display either a clinging, anxious attachment or an avoidant attachment that resists closeness.

longitudinal study

A research approach that follows a group of people over time to determine change or stability in behavior.