Developmental Psychology Flashcards
Stability & Change
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The debate about which aspects of development remain stable over time and which
change.
Nature vs. Nurture
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The debate over whether genetics (nature) or environment (nurture) shapes human
development.
Continuous Development
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Development that occurs gradually and cumulatively over time.
Discontinuous Development
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Development that occurs in distinct stages with qualitative changes.
3.2 - Physical Development Across the Lifespan
Teratogens
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Substances that can cause harm to a developing fetus (e.g., drugs, alcohol, viruses).
Maternal Illness
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Diseases or infections in a mother that can impact fetal development (e.g., rubella, HIV).
Genetic Mutation
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Changes in DNA sequences that can lead to developmental differences or disorders.
Hormonal Factors
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Hormones influencing growth, development, and behavior.
Environmental Factors
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External influences on development, such as nutrition and social conditions.
Physical Development
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Changes in body structure and function across the lifespan.
Visual Cliff & Depth Perception
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A study that tests infants' ability to perceive depth.
Fine Motor Coordination
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Small, precise movements (e.g., writing, using utensils).
Gross Motor Coordination
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Large movements using major muscles (e.g., walking, running).
Rooting Reflex
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A newborn's reflex to turn toward a touch on the cheek and open their mouth.
Growth Spurt
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A rapid increase in height and weight during puberty.
Puberty
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The stage of development when a person becomes capable of reproduction.
Primary Sex Characteristics
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Reproductive organs and structures present at birth.
Secondary Sex Characteristics
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Non-reproductive traits that develop during puberty (e.g., body hair, voice changes).
Menarche
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The first menstrual period in females.
Spermarche
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The first ejaculation in males.
Menopause
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The natural cessation of menstruation and reproductive ability in females.
3.3 - Gender & Sexual Orientation
Gender Typing
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The process of learning cultural gender roles.
Gender Norms
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Societal expectations about behaviors based on gender.
Sexuality
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A person's sexual orientation, behavior, and identity.
Gender Identity
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A person's internal sense of their own gender.
3.4 - Cognitive Development Across the Lifespan
Jean Piaget
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A psychologist known for his theory of cognitive development.
Sensorimotor Stage
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Piaget’s first stage (0-2 years), where infants learn through sensory experiences.
Object Permanence
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The understanding that objects exist even when not visible.
Preoperational Stage
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Piaget’s second stage (2-7 years), characterized by symbolic thinking and egocentrism.
Conservation
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Understanding that quantity remains the same despite changes in shape or appearance.
Reversibility
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The ability to mentally reverse a sequence of events or operations.
Animism
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The belief that inanimate objects have feelings and intentions.
Egocentrism
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The inability to see the world from another's perspective.
Theory of Mind
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The ability to understand that others have thoughts, feelings, and perspectives different
from one’s own.
Concrete Operational Stage
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Piaget’s third stage (7-11 years), where logical thinking about concrete objects develops.
Formal Operational Stage
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Piaget’s final stage (12+ years), involving abstract and hypothetical thinking.
Lev Vygotsky
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A psychologist known for his theory on social development and learning.
Scaffolding
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Providing support to a learner which is gradually removed as competence increases.
Zone of Proximal Development
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The difference between what a child can do alone and what they can do with help.
Crystallized Intelligence
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Accumulated knowledge and skills that improve with age.
Fluid Intelligence
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The ability to solve new problems and think abstractly, which declines with age.
Dementia
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A decline in cognitive function severe enough to interfere with daily life.
Ecological Systems Theory
Microsystem
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The immediate environment surrounding an individual (e.g., family, school).
Mesosystem
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The interactions between different parts of a person's microsystem (e.g., parent-teacher
relationship).
Exosystem
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Environmental settings that indirectly affect a person (e.g., parent’s workplace).
Macrosystem
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The broader cultural and social influences on an individual.
Chronosystem
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The impact of time and historical context on development.
Parenting & Attachment
Authoritarian Parenting
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A strict, high-demand parenting style with little warmth or flexibility.
Authoritative Parenting
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A balanced parenting style that is both demanding and responsive.
Permissive Parenting
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A lenient parenting style with few rules and little discipline.
Secure Attachment
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A strong, healthy emotional bond between a child and caregiver.
Insecure Avoidant Attachment
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A child avoids the caregiver and shows little emotion when separated.
Insecure Anxious Attachment
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A child is overly dependent on the caregiver and shows distress when separated.
Insecure Disorganized Attachment
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A child shows inconsistent behavior toward the caregiver, often linked to trauma.
Separation Anxiety
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Distress experienced by infants when separated from their primary caregiver.
Developmental Psychology Concepts
Social Clock
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The culturally preferred timing of life events (e.g., marriage, parenthood).
Emerging Adulthood
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A transitional period (18-25 years) between adolescence and full adulthood.
Psychosocial Development
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Erik Erikson’s theory of how individuals develop social and emotional identity.
Erik Erikson
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A psychologist known for his eight-stage theory of psychosocial development.
Trust vs. Mistrust
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Infancy stage: Learning whether the world is trustworthy or not.
Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
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Toddler stage: Developing independence and confidence.
Industry vs. Inferiority
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Childhood stage: Developing a sense of competence and achievement.
Identity vs. Role Confusion
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Adolescence: Exploring personal identity and values.
Intimacy vs. Isolation
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Young adulthood: Developing close, committed relationships.
Generativity vs. Stagnation
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Middle adulthood: Contributing to society and helping the next generation.
Integrity vs. Despair
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Late adulthood: Reflecting on life with a sense of fulfillment or regret.
Other Important Terms
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
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Traumatic events in childhood that can impact long-term development.
Achievement
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Commitment to a personal identity following exploration.
Diffusion
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Lack of direction or commitment in personal identity development.
Foreclosure
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Commitment to an identity without exploration, often based on parental expectations.
Moratorium
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Actively exploring identity but not yet committed to a final choice.
Imprinting
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see.
A rapid form of attachment seen in animals where they follow the first moving object they
Attachment
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An emotional bond between individuals, especially between a child and caregiver.
Temperament
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An individual’s natural disposition and emotional reactivity
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