unit 3 psych part 1 notes

Zygote

• the fertilized egg

• enters a 2 week period of rapid cell division

• develops into an embryo

Embryo

• the developing human organism from 2 weeks through 2nd 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 prenatal development and cause harm 

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

• physical and cognitive abnormalities in children caused by a pregnant woman’s heavy drinking

Rooting Reflex

• tendency to open mouth, and search for breast when touched on the cheek

• many infant reflexes (most that you outgrow)

  • babinski

Baby Preferences

• human voices and faces

• smell and sound of mother 

Object Permanence

• the awareness that things continue to exist even when not perceived

• (during sensorimotor you achieve object permanence)

Conservation

• the principle that properties such as mass, volume, and number remain the same despite changes in the forms of objects

Critical Period aka Sensitive Period

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

Imprinting

• the process by which certain animals form attachments during a critical period very early in life

Stranger Anxiety

• fear of strangers that infants commonly display

• beginning by about 8 months of age

Attachment or bonding

• an emotional tie with another person

• shown in young children by their seeking closeness to the caregiver and displaying distress on separation

• Aggression- Men worldwide commit more violent crime, including 90% of murders, women are slightly more prone to relational aggression than men.

• Social power- male answer syndrome or “mansplaining” 

• Social connectedness- women are found to be more communal

• X chromosome- found in women & men

• Y chromosome- found only in men

• testosterone- impt male hormone

• estrogens- contribute to female sex characteristics

• androgyny-- blend of male and female traditionally roles

Authoritarian  

• parents impose rules and expect obedience

• “Don’t interrupt.” “Why?  Because I said so.”

Permissive

• submit to children’s desires, make few demands, use little punishment

Authoritative

• both demanding and responsive

• set rules, but explain reasons and encourage open discussion