unit 6 ap psych

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