NCE

Prenatal Development :: The stage of development from conception to birth, including germinal, embryonic, and fetal periods.

Germinal Stage :: First 2 weeks after conception; zygote forms and implants in uterus.

Embryonic Stage :: Weeks 3–8; major organs and body systems begin to develop.

Fetal Stage :: Week 9 to birth; growth and maturation of systems.

Teratogens :: Harmful substances (e.g., drugs, alcohol) that can negatively impact prenatal development.

Erikson Trust vs Mistrust :: Birth–1 year; infants learn whether caregivers are reliable.

Erikson Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt :: Ages 1–3; focus on independence and control.

Erikson Initiative vs Guilt :: Ages 3–6; children assert power through play and social interaction.

Erikson Industry vs Inferiority :: Ages 6–12; competence and skill development.

Erikson Identity vs Role Confusion :: Adolescence; formation of personal identity.

Piaget Sensorimotor Stage :: Birth–2 years; learning through senses and actions.

Object Permanence :: Understanding that objects exist even when not seen.

Piaget Preoperational Stage :: Ages 2–7; symbolic thinking but limited logic.

Egocentrism :: Inability to see perspectives other than one’s own.

Piaget Concrete Operational Stage :: Ages 7–11; logical thinking about concrete events.

Conservation :: Understanding that quantity remains the same despite changes in shape.

Piaget Formal Operational Stage :: Age 12+; abstract and hypothetical thinking develops.

Vygotsky Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) :: Difference between what a learner can do alone vs with help.

Scaffolding :: Support provided to help a learner achieve a task within their ZPD.

Attachment Theory :: Emotional bond between child and caregiver influencing future relationships.

Secure Attachment :: Child feels safe and explores environment with caregiver as base.

Insecure Attachment :: Includes avoidant, ambivalent, or disorganized attachment patterns.

Temperament :: Inborn personality traits influencing behavior and emotional responses.

Nature vs Nurture :: Debate over genetic vs environmental influences on development.

Critical Period :: Specific time when certain skills or abilities are most easily developed.

Plasticity :: Brain’s ability to change and adapt based on experience.

Puberty :: Biological changes leading to sexual maturity.

Adolescence :: Transitional stage between childhood and adulthood involving identity development.

Emerging Adulthood :: Ages ~18–25; exploration of identity and independence.

Midlife Crisis :: Period of self-reflection and potential life reevaluation in middle adulthood.

Integrity vs Despair :: Final Erikson stage; reflection on life satisfaction.

Cephalocaudal Development :: Growth pattern from head to toe.

Proximodistal Development :: Growth pattern from center of body outward.

Synaptic Pruning :: Elimination of unused neural connections to improve efficiency.

Myelination :: Process of coating neural fibers to improve signal transmission.

Ainsworth Strange Situation :: Assessment used to measure attachment styles in infants.

Secure Attachment Behavior :: Child is distressed when caregiver leaves but easily soothed upon return.

Avoidant Attachment :: Child avoids caregiver and shows little emotion when they leave or return.

Ambivalent (Resistant) Attachment :: Child is clingy but resists comfort upon caregiver’s return.

Disorganized Attachment :: Lack of clear attachment behavior; often linked to trauma or neglect.

Baumrind Parenting Styles :: Authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and neglectful parenting types.

Authoritative Parenting :: High warmth, high control; best developmental outcomes.

Authoritarian Parenting :: Low warmth, high control; strict and obedience-focused.

Permissive Parenting :: High warmth, low control; few rules or boundaries.

Neglectful Parenting :: Low warmth, low control; minimal involvement.

Kohlberg Preconventional Morality :: Behavior driven by punishment and reward.

Kohlberg Conventional Morality :: Behavior guided by social rules and approval.

Kohlberg Postconventional Morality :: Morality based on internal principles and ethics.

Gilligan Moral Development :: Emphasizes care, relationships, and responsibility over justice.

Information Processing Theory :: Compares human thinking to computer processing (input, storage, output).

Assimilation :: Incorporating new information into existing schemas.

Accommodation :: Changing schemas to fit new information.

Schema :: Mental framework used to organize information.

Social Learning Theory :: Learning through observation and imitation (Bandura).

Modeling :: Learning behavior by watching others.

Reinforcement :: Strengthening behavior through rewards.

Punishment :: Decreasing behavior through negative consequences.

Self-Efficacy :: Belief in one’s ability to succeed (Bandura).

Temperament Types :: Easy, difficult, and slow-to-warm-up children.

Goodness of Fit :: Compatibility between child’s temperament and environment.

Latency Stage (Freud) :: Ages 6–12; sexual impulses are repressed.

Genital Stage (Freud) :: Adolescence; mature sexual interests develop.

Oral Stage (Freud) :: Birth–1 year; focus on oral stimulation.

Anal Stage (Freud) :: Ages 1–3; focus on control and elimination.

Phallic Stage (Freud) :: Ages 3–6; Oedipus/Electra complex.

Oedipus Complex :: Child’s unconscious desire for opposite-sex parent.

Electra Complex :: Female version of Oedipus complex.

Identity Achievement :: Explored options and committed to identity.

Identity Moratorium :: Actively exploring identity but not yet committed.

Identity Foreclosure :: Commitment without exploration.

Identity Diffusion :: No exploration or commitment.

Menarche :: First menstrual cycle in females.

Spermarche :: First ejaculation in males.

Primary Aging :: Biological aging process that is inevitable.

Secondary Aging :: Aging due to lifestyle or environmental factors.

Fluid Intelligence :: Ability to solve new problems; declines with age.

Crystallized Intelligence :: Knowledge from experience; increases with age.

Andropause :: Gradual decline in testosterone in males.

Menopause :: End of menstrual cycles in females.

Empty Nest Syndrome :: Feelings of loss when children leave home.

Sandwich Generation :: Adults caring for both children and aging parents.

Death Anxiety :: Fear or apprehension about death.

Kubler-Ross Stages of Grief :: Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance.

Bereavement :: Period of mourning after loss.

Complicated Grief :: Prolonged, intense grief that disrupts functioning.

Resilience :: Ability to adapt and recover from adversity.

Risk Factors :: Conditions increasing likelihood of negative outcomes.

Protective Factors :: Conditions that reduce risk and promote resilience.

Longitudinal Study :: Research following same individuals over time.

Cross-Sectional Study :: Research comparing different age groups at one time.

Cohort Effect :: Differences due to shared experiences of a group.

Normative Life Events :: Expected events (e.g., puberty, retirement).

Non-Normative Life Events :: Unexpected events (e.g., trauma, accidents).

Socioemotional Selectivity Theory :: Older adults prioritize meaningful relationships.

Selective Optimization with Compensation :: Adjusting to aging by focusing on strengths.

Life Review :: Reflecting on life experiences in older adulthood.

Successful Aging :: Maintaining physical health, cognition, and engagement.