Alyssa Bellochi Developmental Psychology Vocab Flashcards
VOCAB 1
VOCAB 1
Developmental psychology
The study of progressive changes in bx and abilities from conception to death
Cross sectional study
Uses participants of different ages to compare how certain variables may change over the life span
Cohort
Group of subjects that have shared a particular experience during a particular life span
Longitudinal study
Examines one group of participants over time
Biographical study
Looks backwards at factors that relate to an outcome established by the study
Prenatal development
Development from conception to birth
Embryo
A multicellular being in the first two weeks of life
Fetus
A developing mammal from 2-8 weeks after conception
Neonate
A developing mammal from 8 weeks after conception to birth
Placenta
The organ that connects to the developing fetus to the uterine wall to allow nutrient uptake, waste elimination as gas exchange with the mother
Critical period
Period during development which displays heightened sensitivity to stimuli
Fetal alcohol syndrome
Children of alcoholic mothers can be born with small, malformed skills and mental retardation
Teratogens
Substances capable of altering fetal development in nonheritable ways that cause birth defects
Rooting reflex
When touched on the cheek, a baby will turn it’s head to the side of the touch and open it’s mouth
Sucking reflex
When an object is placed in a baby’s mouth, he will suck
Swallowing reflex
When object is placed in the baby’s mouth, he will swallow
Grasping reflex
When an object is placed in a baby’s palm or foot, he will squeeze his fingers or toes shut to hold the object
Stepping reflex
When placed upright with weight bearing on the feet, a baby will make stepping motions
Moro reflex
When startled, a baby will fling his limbs out and then quickly retract them
Babinski reflex
When a baby’s foot is stroked, he will spread his toes
Temperament
The physical core of personality, including emotion and perceptual sensitivity, energy levels, typical mood and so forth
Developmental norms
An individuals current state of physical, emotional, and intellectual development
Maturation
The physical growth and development of the body and nervous system
Sensorimotor stage
Stage of intellectual development during which sensory input and motor responses become coordinated
Object performance
Concept, gained in infancy, that objects continue to exist even when they are hidden from view
Mental representation
Mental images or symbols used to think about or remember an object, person or event
Preoperational stage
Period of intellectual development during which children begin to use language and think symbolically, yet remain intuitive and egocentric in their thought
Egocentric
Unable to see things from another’s point of view
Concrete operational stage
Period of intellectual development during which children become able to use the concepts of time, space, volume, and number, but in ways that remain simplified and concrete, rather than abstract
Principle of conservation
Mastery of the concept that the weight, mass, and volume of matter remains unchanged when the shape or appearance of objects change
Formal operational stage
Period of intellectual development characterized by thinking that includes abstract, theoretical, and hypothetical ideas