10.1 Physical Development from Conception through Infancy

Question 1

Developmental psychology

Answer 1

the study of human physical, cognitive, social, and behavioural characteristics across the lifespan

Question 2

Cross-sectional design

Answer 2

used to measure and compare samples of people at diff ages at a given point in time

Question 3

Longitudinal design

Answer 3

follows the same development of the same set of individuals through time

Question 4

Cohort effects

Answer 4

diff among people that results from being born in diff time periods

Question 5

Zygote

Answer 5

the initial cell formed when the nuclei of egg and sperm fuse

Question 6

Germinal stage

Answer 6

the first phase of prenatal development, which spans from conception to 2 weeks

Question 7

Embryonic stage

Answer 7

spans weeks 2 to 8 during which time the embryo begins developing major physical structures as well as the beginnings of arms, legs, hands and feet

Question 7

Fetal stage

Answer 7

spans week 8 to birth during which time the skeletal, organ and nervous system become more developed and specialized

Question 8

Tetratogens

Answer 8

substances such as drugs or environmental toxins that impair the process of development

Question 9

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

Answer 9

abnormalities in mental functioning, growth and physical development in the offspring of women who use alcohol during pregnancy

Question 10

Preterm infants

Answer 10

are born earlier than 36 weeks

Question 11

Reflexes

Answer 11

involuntary muscular reactions to specific types of stimulation

Question 12

Synaptogenesis

Answer 12

the forming of new synaptic connections

Question 13

Synaptic pruning

Answer 13

the loss of weak nerve cell connections