AP Psych unit 3

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Zygote: The fertilized egg; the first two weeks after conception.
- Inner cells develop into the embryo, while outer cells form the placenta.
Embryo: The developing human organism from 2 weeks to the end of the second month.
Fetus: The developing human organism from 9 weeks after conception until birth.

Teratogens: Harmful substances such as chemicals, viruses, or alcohol that can reach the embryo or fetus and cause harm.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS): Physical and cognitive abnormalities in children caused by heavy alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Reflexes:
- Rooting reflex: Babies turn toward a touch on their cheek (helps with breastfeeding).
- Babies are born with the ability to grasp, swallow, breathe, and suck—essential for survival.
Preferences:
- Prefer human voices, particularly their mother’s.
- Prefer their mother’s smell and sound over others.
Depth Perception:
- Around 6-8 months, babies hesitate to crawl across a glass "cliff," indicating depth perception.
- Depth perception is closely linked to motor skill development.
Myelination: Nerve fibers are coated with a myelin sheath, speeding up brain communication.
Habituation: Babies decrease responsiveness to repeated stimuli, showing learning and memory development.

Babies follow a general sequence of motor development:
- Roll over (4-6 months)
- Sit up (6-9 months)
- Crawl (7-12 months)
- Walk (12-15 months)

Object Permanence: Understanding that objects exist even when not seen (develops around 8 months).
- Linked to stranger anxiety—fear of unfamiliar people when parents leave the room.

Attachment: The emotional bond between a child and caregiver, crucial for development.
Harlow’s Monkey Experiment: Demonstrated that comfort and physical affection are more important for attachment than food.
Critical Period: An optimal period after birth when certain experiences are crucial for proper development (e.g., language learning).
Imprinting: Some animals form strong attachments during an early-life critical period.

Secure Attachment:
- Child feels safe and explores freely when the caregiver is present.
- Upset when the caregiver leaves but easily comforted upon return.
Insecure Attachment:
- Anxious Attachment: Clingy, extremely distressed when the caregiver leaves, difficult to soothe upon return.
- Avoidant Attachment: Shows little distress when the caregiver leaves and avoids them upon return, often due to emotionally distant caregiving.
- Disorganized Attachment: Contradictory behaviors (approaching but freezing), often seen in children who experience inconsistent or traumatic caregiving.

Self-Concept:
- By age 12, children develop an understanding of who they are, influencing their behavior and decision-making.
Parenting Styles (Diana Baumrind):
- Authoritarian: Strict, expect obedience → High anxiety, low self-esteem.
- Permissive: Few rules or consequences → Poor self-discipline, lower academic performance.
- Neglectful: Uninvolved, inattentive → Low self-esteem, behavior issues.
- Authoritative: Balanced approach, rules with explanations → Higher self-esteem, academic success, strong social skills.

Puberty: Rapid physical development and reproductive maturation.
- Boys gain muscle, girls gain body fat.
- Menarche: First menstrual period (12-15 years old).
- Spermarche: First sperm production (12-14 years old).
Primary Sex Characteristics: Development of reproductive organs (uterus, vagina, testes, penis).
Secondary Sex Characteristics: Visible signs of maturation (height, body shape).

Prefrontal Cortex: Still developing, leading to impulsivity and risk-taking.
Limbic System: More active, increasing emotional sensitivity and reward-seeking.
Synaptic Pruning: Unused brain connections are eliminated.
Myelination Continues: Improves communication between brain regions.
Teen Brain Bias: More inclined toward immediate gratification over long-term consequences.

Imaginary Audience: Belief that everyone is constantly watching and judging you.
Personal Fable: Feeling that your experiences are unique and no one else can relate.
Invulnerability: Unrealistic belief that nothing bad can happen to you.

Reproductive Decline:
- Women: Menopause—cessation of ovulation and menstruation.
- Men: Gradual decline in testosterone and sperm count.
Muscle Weakness & Joint Stiffness: Decline in physical strength and mobility.
Brain Processing Slows: Reaction times and problem-solving speed decrease.
Sensory Decline: Vision and hearing worsen with age.

Social Clock: Society’s expectations for life events (marriage, parenthood, retirement).
Midlife Crisis Myth: Most adults experience stability, not crisis, in middle age.
Empty Nest Syndrome: Often leads to increased happiness, not depression.

Childhood trauma (abuse, neglect, family instability) correlates with higher risks of heart disease, depression, and substance abuse.

Attachment in Adulthood:
- Early attachment styles influence adult relationships.
- Securely attached individuals tend to have healthier relationships.
Social Interactions in Childhood:
- Parallel Play (2-3 years old): Children play alongside but not with each other, laying the foundation for social awareness.
- Pretend Play (3-6 years old): Imaginative play with others, promoting social cooperation and complex relationships