Studied by 4 people
developmental psychology
a branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, and social change throughout the life span
zygote
fertilized egg
embryo
An organism in the earliest stage of development
fetus
the developing human organism from 9 weeks after conception to birth
teratogens
agents, such as chemicals and viruses, that can reach the embryo or fetus during prenatal development and cause harm
fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)
a group of alcohol-related birth defects that include physical and mental problems
habituation
an organism's decreasing response to a stimulus with repeated exposure to it
maturation
development that reflects the gradual unfolding of one's genetic blueprint
cognition
all the mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating
schema
a conceptual framework a person uses to make sense of the world
assimilation
interpreting our new experiences in terms of our existing schemas
accommodation
the process by which the eye's lens changes shape to focus near or far objects on the retina
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 knowledge 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
Protecting and preserving natural resources and the environment
egocentrism
the inability to see the world through anyone else's eyes
theory of mind
an awareness that other people's behavior may be influenced by beliefs, desires, and emotions that differ from one's own
concrete operational stage
in Piaget's theory, the stage of cognitive development (from about 6 or 7 to 11 years of age) during which children gain the mental operations that enable them to think logically about concrete events
formal operational stage
in Piaget's theory, the stage of cognitive development (normally beginning about age 12) during which people begin to think logically about abstract concepts
scaffold
a framework that offers children temporary support as they develop higher levels of thinking
autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
a disorder that appears in childhood and is marked by significant deficiencies in communication and social interaction, and by rigidly fixated interests and repetitive behaviors
stranger anxiety
the fear of strangers that infants commonly display
attachment
an emotional tie with another person
critical period
an optimal period early in the life of an organism when exposure to certain stimuli or experiences produces normal development
imprinting
the process by which certain animals form attachments during a critical period very early in life
strange situation
A laboratory procedure for measuring attachment by evoking infants' reactions to the stress of various adults' comings and goings in an unfamiliar playroom.
secure attachment
attachments rooted in trust and marked by intimacy
insecure attachment
attachments marked by anxiety or ambivalence
temperament
a person's characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity
basic trust
a sense that the world is predictable and trustworthy
self-concept
our understanding and evaluation of who we are
sex
the biological distinction between females and males
gender
male or female
aggression
physical or verbal behavior intended to hurt someone
relational aggression
an act of aggression (physical or verbal) intended to harm a person's relationship or social standing
role
behavior expected of someone who holds a particular status
gender role
a set of expected behaviors for males or for females
gender identity
our sense of being male or female
social learning theory
the theory that we learn social behavior by observing and imitating and by being rewarded or punished
gender typing
The process of developing the behaviors, thoughts, and emotions associated with a particular gender.
adolescence
the transition period from childhood to adulthood, extending from puberty to independence
puberty
Developmental stage at which a person becomes capable of reproduction.
identity
our sense of self
social identity
the part of the self-concept including one's view of self as a member of a particular social category
intimacy
the ability to form close, loving relationships
emerging adulthood
a period from about age 18 to the mid-twenties, when many in Western cultures are no longer adolescents but have not yet achieved full independence as adults
X chromosome
the sex chromosome found in both men and women
Y chromosome
the sex chromosome found only in males
testosterone
Male sex hormone
primary sex characteristics
the body structures that make sexual reproduction possible
secondary sex characteristics
nonreproductive sexual characteristics, such as female breasts and hips, male voice quality, and body hair
menopause
gradual ending of menstruation
cross-sectional study
a study in which people of different ages are compared with one another
longitudinal study
research that follows and retests the same people over time
neurocognitive disorders (NCDs)
acquired (not lifelong) disorders marked by cognitive deficits; often related to Alzheimer's disease, brain injury or disease, or substance abuse. In older adults neurocognitive disorders were formerly called dementia
Alzheimer's disease
a neurocognitive disorder marked by neural plaques, often with onset after age 80, and entailing a progressive decline in memory and other cognitive abilities
social clock
culturally preferred timing of social events
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