9.3 Stages of Development Flashcards
Conception
when a sperm fertilizes an egg and forms a zygote
zygote
structure created when a sperm and egg merge at conception; begins as a single cell and rapidly
divides to form the embryo and placenta
mitosis
process of cell division
embryo
multi-cellular organism in its early stages of development
placenta
structure connected to the uterus that provides nourishment and oxygen to the developing
baby
prenatal care
medical care during pregnancy that monitors the health of both the mother and the fetus
teratogen
biological, chemical, or physical environmental agent that causes damage to the developing
embryo or fetus
critical or sensitive
period
time during fetal growth when specific parts or organs develop
newborn reflexes
inborn automatic response to a particular form of stimulation that all healthy babies
are born with
Motor skills
ability to move our body and manipulate objects
Fine motor skills
use of muscles in fingers, toes, and eyes to coordinate small actions
Gross motor skills
use of large muscle groups to control arms and legs for large body movements
Attachment
long-standing connection or bond with others
secure base
parental presence that gives the infant/toddler a sense of safety as he explores his
surroundings
secure attachment
characterized by the child using the parent as a secure base from which to explore
avoidant attachment
characterized by child’s unresponsiveness to parent, does not use the parent as a
secure base, and does not care if parent leaves
resistant attachment
characterized by the child’s tendency to show clingy behavior and rejection of the
parent when she attempts to interact with the child
disorganized attachment
characterized by the child’s odd behavior when faced with the parent; type of
attachment seen most often with kids that are abused
authoritative style
parents give children reasonable demands and consistent limits, express
warmth and affection, and listen to the child’s point of view
authoritarian style
parents place a high value on conformity and obedience, are often rigid,
and express little warmth to the child
permissive style
parents make few demands and rarely use punishment
uninvolved style
parents are indifferent, uninvolved, and sometimes referred to as neglectful;
they don’t respond to the child’s needs and make relatively few demands
Temperament
innate traits that influence how one thinks, behaves, and reacts with the environment
Adolescence
period of development that begins at puberty and ends at early adulthood
adrenarche
maturing of the adrenal glands
gonadarche
maturing of the sex glands
Primary sexual characteristics
organs specifically needed for reproduction
Secondary sexual characteristics
physical signs of sexual maturation that do not directly involve sex organs
menarche
beginning of menstrual period; around 12–13 years old
spermarche
first male ejaculation
Cognitive empathy
ability to take the perspective of others and to feel concern for others
emerging adulthood
newly defined period of lifespan development from 18 years old to the mid-20s;
young people are taking longer to complete college, get a job, get married, and start a family
socioemotional selectivity theory
social support/friendships dwindle in number, but remain as close, if not more close than in earlier years
