Ch 9 - Defnitions Flashcards
Developmental Psychology
the branch of psychology that studies the patterns of growth and change occurring throughout life.
Nature–nurture issue
the degree to which environment and heredity influence behaviour.
nature refers to
hereditary factors
nurture referes to
environmental influences
Heredity
genetic makeup of an individual that influence growth and development throughout life.
Environment
influence of parents, siblings, family, friends, schooling, nutrition, and all other experiences to which a child is exposed.
Conception
is when a male’s sperm cell penetrates a female’s egg cell.
Chromosomes
are rod-shaped structures that contain the basic hereditary information.
Genes
the parts of the chromosomes through which genetic information is transmitted.
A Zygote
is the new cell formed by the union of an egg and sperm at the time of conception.
An Embryo
is a developed zygote that has a heart, a brain, and other organs.
A Fetus
exists from 8 weeks after conception until birth (the fetal period).
Age of viability
is the point at which a fetus can survive if born prematurely (about prenatal age of 22 weeks).
At prenatal age (28 weeks),
the fetus weighs less than 3 pounds and is about 16 inches long.
At this period, it may be capable of learning.
Preterm infants
are those who are born before week 38.
The child’s sex
determined by a particular combination of genes.
XX - female
XY - male
Critical periods
Before birth, a fetus passes through several sensitive periods, which are times during development when specific events (or stimuli) have their greatest impact.
Teratogens
are environmental agents such as a drug, chemical, virus, or other factor that produce a birth defect
Teratogens include
- Mother’s illness
- Mother’s drug use
- Alcohol use
Neonate
is a newborn child.
Vernix
white, greasy covering, is secreted to protect the skin prior to birth.
Reflexes
are unlearned, involuntary responses that occur automatically
in the presence of certain stimuli
Rooting reflex
Causes neonates to turn their heads toward things that touch
their cheeks (Ex. the mother’s nipple).
Sucking reflex:
Prompts the infant to suck at things that touch their lips.
Gag reflex
Clearing of throat.
Startle reflex:
A series of movements in which the infant flings out their arms,
fans their fingers, and arches their back in response to a sudden noise.
Babinski reflex:
The baby’s toes fan out when the outer edge of the sole of their
foot is stroked.
Infants
Are able to perceive variations in stimuli.
• Have sophisticated visual perception.
• Demonstrate facial discrimination and imitation
Attachment
the positive emotional bond that
develops between a child and a particular individual
the strange situation
child’s reactions to the experimental situation vary drastically,
depending on their degree of attachment to the mother
Securely attached children
explore independently but returning to their
mother occasionally, exhibit distress when she leaves, and go to her when
she returns.
Avoidant children
do not cry when the mother leaves, seem to avoid her
when she returns, as if they were indifferent to her.
Ambivalent children
display anxiety before separation and are upset
when the mother leaves, but they may show ambivalent reactions to her
return.
Disorganized-disoriented children
show inconsistent, often
contradictory behaviour.
According to Ainsworth, attachment style is related to
the social
environment that children encounter as they are growing up
Temperament
a basic, innate disposition that emerges early in life.
Psychosocial development
involves changes in our interactions and
understanding of one another as well as in our knowledge and understanding
of ourselves as members of society.
Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial
Development includes
- Trust versus mistrust
- Autonomy versus shame and doubt
- Initiative versus guilt
- Industry versus inferiority
Trust versus mistrust
The first stage of psychosocial development, during which time infants develop feelings of trust or lack of trust.
Autonomy versus shame and doubt
The period during which, toddlers develop independence and autonomy if exploration and freedom are
encouraged, or shame and self-doubt if they are restricted and overprotected.
Initiative versus guilt
The period during which children experience conflict between independence of action and the
sometimes-negative results of that action
Industry versus inferiority
The last stage of childhood, during which children may develop positive social interactions with others
or may feel inadequate and become less sociable.
Cognitive development
process by which a child’s understanding of
the world changes as a function of age and experience.
Sensorimotor Stage (Birth to 2 Years)
Children’s understanding of
the world is based primarily on touching, sucking, chewing, shaking,
and manipulating objects.
Preoperational Stage (2 to 7 Years):
The
most important development at this stage is the
use of language.
Concrete Operational Stage (7 to 12
Years):
The beginning of this stage is
marked by mastery of the principle of conservation
Formal Operational Stage (12 Years to Adulthood)
This stage
produces a new kind of thinking, which is abstract, formal, and
logical.
Information processing:
The way in which people
take in, use, and store information.
Metacognition
awareness and understanding of
one’s own cognitive processes, involving the planning,
monitoring, and revising of cognitive strategies).
The zone of proximal
development (ZPD)
at which a child can almost, but
not fully, comprehend or perform a
task on his or her own.
scaffolding
provides support for
learning and problem solving that encourages independence and
growth.
