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Developmental Psychology

A branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, and social change throughout the life span.

Zygote

The fertilized egg; it enters a 2-week period of rapid cell division and develops into an embryo.

Embryo

The developing human organism from about 2 weeks after fertilization to the second month.

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 development and cause harm.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Physical and cognitive abnormalities in children caused by a pregnant woman's heavy drinking.

Habituation

Decreasing responsiveness with repeated stimulation; as infants gain familiarity with repeated exposure to a visual stimulus, their interest wanes and they look away sooner.

Maturation

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