Psy 101 Chapter 4

Developmental psychology: The scientific study of how humans change over the life span, from conception through infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.

Germinal period: The period in prenatal development from conception to two weeks after conception, when the zygote divides rapidly and implants in the uterine wall.

Embryonic period: The period in prenatal development from three through eight weeks after conception, when the brain, spine, major organs, and bodily structures begin to form in the embryo.

Fetal period: The period in prenatal development from nine weeks after conception until birth, when the brain continues developing, bodily structures are refined, and the fetus grows in length and weight and accumulates fat in preparation for birth.

Teratogens: Environmental substances that can harm prenatal development.

Maturation: Physical development of the brain and body that produces growth and enables physical and psychological functioning.

Attachment: An enduring emotional connection that can motivate care, protection, and social support.

Secure attachment: The attachment style for infants who are confident enough to play in an unfamiliar environment as long as the caregiver is present and who are readily comforted by the return of the caregiver.

Ambivalent attachment: The attachment style for infants who seem to have mixed feelings about the caregiver—they cry when the caregiver leaves the room, but they both seek out and reject the caregiver upon the caregiver's return.

Avoidant attachment: The attachment style for infants who do not look at the caregiver when the caregiver leaves or returns and who play happily with the stranger in the caregiver's absence.

Accommodation: The process we use to create new schemas (ways of thinking about how the world works) or drastically alter existing schemas to incorporate new information that otherwise would not fit.

Assimilation: The process we use to incorporate new information into existing schemas (ways of thinking about how the world works).

Preoperational stage: The second stage in Piaget's theory of cognitive development; during this stage, children think symbolically about objects, but they reason based on intuition and superficial appearances rather than logic.

Sensorimotor stage:  The first stage in Piaget's theory of cognitive development; during this stage, infants acquire information about the world through their senses and motor skills.

Concrete operational stage: The third stage in Piaget's theory of cognitive development; during this stage, children begin to think about and understand logical operations, and they are no longer fooled by appearances.

Formal operational stage: The fourth and final stage in Piaget's theory of cognitive development; during this stage, people can think abstractly, and they can formulate and test hypotheses through logic.

Theory of mind:  The ability to understand that other people have mental states that influence their behavior.

Babbling:  Intentional vocalization, often by an infant, that does not have a specific meaning.

Overregularization:  The tendency for young children to incorrectly use a regular grammar rule when they should use an exception to the rule.

Telegraphic speech: Speech in which toddlers combine basic words in a logical syntax but not a complete sentence that conveys a wealth of meaning.

Primary sex characteristics: Physical features directly related to reproduction, such as reproductive organs and genitals.

Secondary sex characteristics: Physical features that are not directly related to reproduction but that indicate the differences between the sexes.

Puberty: The period during adolescence in which sexual maturation leads to the ability to reproduce.

Identity versus role confusion: The fifth stage of Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, in which adolescents face the challenge of figuring out who they are.

Parenting styles: Methods of parenting based on levels of how demanding and responsive a parent is.

Conventional level: Middle level of moral reasoning; at this level, strict adherence to societal laws and the approval of others determine what is moral.

Post-conventional level: The highest level of moral reasoning; at this level, decisions about morality depend on complex reasoning, abstract principles, the value of all life, and the greater good for all people.

Pre-conventional level: Lowest level of moral reasoning; at this level, self-interest and event outcomes determine what is moral.
Emerging adulthood: The developmental period roughly corresponding to ages 18–25, between the end of physical and sexual maturity and the completed transition to stable adult patterns of relationships and work.

Dementia: Severe impairment in intellectual capacity and personality, often due to Alzheimer's disease and strokes.

Intimacy versus isolation: The sixth stage of Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, in which young adults face the challenge of forming committed long-term friendships and romances.

Generativity versus stagnation: Seventh stage of Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, in which middle-aged adults face the challenge of leaving behind a positive legacy and caring for future generations.

Integrity versus despair: Eighth stage of Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, in which older adults face the challenge of feeling satisfied that they have lived a good life and developed wisdom.