lifespan development midterm

Lifespan Development

The scientific study of human growth, change, and stability from conception until death.

Plasticity

The ability of individuals to change and adapt throughout life due to experience and environmental influences.

Cohort

A group of people born during the same historical period who experience similar cultural and historical events.

Socioeconomic Status (SES)

A person's or family's social position based on income, education, and occupation.

Nature vs. Nurture

The debate over whether development is primarily influenced by genetics (nature) or environmental experiences (nurture). Most psychologists agree both interact.

Continuity

The view that development occurs gradually through small, continuous changes over time.

Discontinuity

The view that development occurs through distinct stages with qualitative changes.

Tabula Rasa

John Locke's concept that children are born as a 'blank slate,' and experience shapes development.

Maturation

The natural biological process of growth directed largely by genetics.

Reinforcement

A consequence that increases the likelihood a behavior will occur again.

Modeling

Learning by observing and imitating the behavior of others.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

The molecule that contains the genetic instructions for growth, development, and functioning.

Gene

The basic unit of heredity made of DNA that influences specific traits.

Chromosome

A threadlike structure containing DNA and genes. Humans normally have 46 chromosomes arranged in 23 pairs.

Genome

The complete set of an individual's genetic material.

Genotype

A person's unique genetic makeup.

Phenotype

The observable physical and behavioral characteristics produced by the interaction of genes and the environment.

Behavioral Genetics

The study of how heredity and environment influence behavior and development.

Germinal Stage

The first stage of prenatal development (conception to about two weeks), during which fertilization, rapid cell division, and implantation occur.

Embryonic Stage

The second stage of prenatal development (weeks 3–8), when major organs and body systems begin forming.

Fetal Stage

The final stage of prenatal development (week 9 until birth), characterized by rapid growth and maturation of body systems.

Teratogen

Any environmental substance or condition that can interfere with normal prenatal development and cause birth defects.

Placenta

A temporary organ that supplies oxygen and nutrients to the fetus while removing waste products.

Ultrasound

A prenatal imaging technique that uses sound waves to create pictures of the developing fetus.

Amniocentesis

A prenatal diagnostic test in which amniotic fluid is removed to detect genetic or chromosomal abnormalities.

Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)

A prenatal test that collects placental tissue to identify genetic disorders early in pregnancy.

APGAR Score

A quick assessment of a newborn's health performed shortly after birth that measures Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration.

Cephalocaudal Principle

The pattern of physical development that proceeds from the head downward to the feet.

Proximodistal Principle

The pattern of physical development that proceeds from the center of the body outward toward the extremities.

Gross Motor Skills

Large muscle movements such as sitting, crawling, standing, walking, and running.

Fine Motor Skills

Small muscle movements involving the hands and fingers, such as grasping objects, feeding oneself, and writing.

Sensorimotor Stage

Piaget's first stage of cognitive development (birth to about age 2), during which infants learn through sensory experiences and motor actions.

Object Permanence

The understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen.

Implicit Memory

Unconscious memory for skills, habits, and conditioned responses.

Explicit Memory

Conscious memory involving the recall of facts, events, and experiences.

Trust vs. Mistrust

Erikson's first psychosocial stage, in which infants develop trust when caregivers consistently meet their needs.

Attachment

The strong emotional bond that develops between an infant and caregiver, providing security and support.

Secure Attachment

An attachment style in which infants use caregivers as a secure base, become distressed when separated, and are comforted when reunited.

Insecure-Avoidant Attachment

An attachment style in which infants show little distress during separation and avoid or ignore the caregiver upon reunion.

Insecure-Resistant (Ambivalent) Attachment

An attachment style in which infants become very distressed during separation but remain difficult to comfort when the caregiver returns.

Disorganized Attachment

An attachment style characterized by inconsistent, fearful, or confused behaviors toward the caregiver.

Stranger Anxiety

Fear or distress shown by infants when approached by unfamiliar people, typically emerging around 6–8 months.

Separation Anxiety

Distress experienced when an infant is separated from a primary caregiver, typically beginning around 8–12 months.

Synaptic Pruning

The elimination of unused neural connections to improve brain efficiency.

Myelination

The development of the protective covering around nerve fibers that speeds communication.

Preoperational Stage

Piaget's stage (ages 2–7) characterized by symbolic thinking and limited logical reasoning.

Symbolic Thought

Using words or objects to represent other things.

Egocentrism

Difficulty understanding another person's perspective.

Centration

Focusing on one aspect of a situation while ignoring others.

Conservation

Understanding that quantity remains the same despite changes in appearance.

Private Speech

Children talking to themselves to guide thinking and behavior.

Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)

The difference between what a child can do independently and with assistance.

Scaffolding

Temporary support that helps children learn new skills.

Initiative vs. Guilt

Erikson's stage in which children develop confidence by initiating activities.

Authoritative Parenting

High warmth and high expectations.

Authoritarian Parenting

Low warmth and high control.

Permissive Parenting

High warmth and low control.

Uninvolved Parenting

Low warmth and low control.

Functional Play

Simple repetitive movements using objects.

Constructive Play

Using materials to build or create something.

Pretend (Symbolic) Play

Imaginative role-playing.

Cooperative Play

Children playing together toward a common goal.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

A neurodevelopmental disorder affecting communication, social interaction, and behavior.

Concrete Operational Stage

Piaget's stage (ages 7–11) in which children think logically about concrete events.

Classification

Organizing objects into categories.

Seriation

Arranging objects in a logical order.

Reversibility

Understanding that actions can be mentally reversed.

Intelligence

The ability to reason, solve problems, and adapt to new situations.

Intelligence Quotient (IQ)

A standardized score estimating intellectual functioning.

Standardization

Administering a test consistently to compare scores.

Reliability

The consistency of a test's results.

Validity

The extent to which a test measures what it intends to measure.

Dyslexia

A learning disability affecting reading.

Dysgraphia

A learning disability affecting writing.

Dyscalculia

A learning disability affecting mathematics.

Industry vs. Inferiority

Erikson's stage in which children develop competence through achievement.

Peer Acceptance

The degree to which a child is liked by peers.

Self-Esteem

A person's overall sense of self-worth.