Ch 9 - Defnitions

Question 1

Developmental Psychology

Answer 1

the branch of psychology that studies the patterns of growth and change occurring throughout life.

Question 2

Nature–nurture issue

Answer 2

the degree to which environment and heredity influence behaviour.

Question 3

nature refers to

Answer 3

hereditary factors

Question 4

nurture referes to

Answer 4

environmental influences

Question 5

Heredity

Answer 5

genetic makeup of an individual that influence growth and development throughout life.

Question 6

Environment

Answer 6

influence of parents, siblings, family, friends, schooling, nutrition, and all other experiences to which a child is exposed.

Question 7

Conception

Answer 7

is when a male’s sperm cell penetrates a female’s egg cell.

Question 8

Chromosomes

Answer 8

are rod-shaped structures that contain the basic hereditary information.

Question 9

Genes

Answer 9

the parts of the chromosomes through which genetic information is transmitted.

Question 10

A Zygote

Answer 10

is the new cell formed by the union of an egg and sperm at the time of conception.

Question 11

An Embryo

Answer 11

is a developed zygote that has a heart, a brain, and other organs.

Question 12

A Fetus

Answer 12

exists from 8 weeks after conception until birth (the fetal period).

Question 13

Age of viability

Answer 13

is the point at which a fetus can survive if born prematurely (about prenatal age of 22 weeks).

Question 14

At prenatal age (28 weeks),

Answer 14

the fetus weighs less than 3 pounds and is about 16 inches long.

At this period, it may be capable of learning.

Question 15

Preterm infants

Answer 15

are those who are born before week 38.

Question 16

The child’s sex

Answer 16

determined by a particular combination of genes.

XX - female
XY - male

Question 17

Critical periods

Answer 17

Before birth, a fetus passes through several sensitive periods, which are times during development when specific events (or stimuli) have their greatest impact.

Question 18

Teratogens

Answer 18

are environmental agents such as a drug, chemical, virus, or other factor that produce a birth defect

Question 19

Teratogens include

Answer 19

1. Mother’s illness
2. Mother’s drug use
3. Alcohol use

Question 20

Neonate

Answer 20

is a newborn child.

Question 21

Vernix

Answer 21

white, greasy covering, is secreted to protect the skin prior to birth.

Question 22

Reflexes

Answer 22

are unlearned, involuntary responses that occur automatically
in the presence of certain stimuli

Question 23

Rooting reflex

Answer 23

Causes neonates to turn their heads toward things that touch
their cheeks (Ex. the mother’s nipple).

Question 24

Sucking reflex:

Answer 24

Prompts the infant to suck at things that touch their lips.

Question 25

Gag reflex

Answer 25

Clearing of throat.

Question 26

Startle reflex:

Answer 26

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.

Question 27

Babinski reflex:

Answer 27

The baby’s toes fan out when the outer edge of the sole of their foot is stroked.

Question 28

Infants

Answer 28

Are able to perceive variations in stimuli. • Have sophisticated visual perception. • Demonstrate facial discrimination and imitation

Question 29

Attachment

Answer 29

the positive emotional bond that develops between a child and a particular individual

Question 30

the strange situation

Answer 30

child’s reactions to the experimental situation vary drastically, depending on their degree of attachment to the mother

Question 31

Securely attached children

Answer 31

explore independently but returning to their mother occasionally, exhibit distress when she leaves, and go to her when she returns.

Question 32

Avoidant children

Answer 32

do not cry when the mother leaves, seem to avoid her when she returns, as if they were indifferent to her.

Question 33

Ambivalent children

Answer 33

display anxiety before separation and are upset when the mother leaves, but they may show ambivalent reactions to her return.

Question 34

Disorganized-disoriented children

Answer 34

show inconsistent, often contradictory behaviour.

Question 35

According to Ainsworth, attachment style is related to

Answer 35

the social environment that children encounter as they are growing up

Question 36

Temperament

Answer 36

a basic, innate disposition that emerges early in life.

Question 37

Psychosocial development

Answer 37

involves changes in our interactions and understanding of one another as well as in our knowledge and understanding of ourselves as members of society.

Question 38

Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development includes

Answer 38

1. Trust versus mistrust 2. Autonomy versus shame and doubt 3. Initiative versus guilt 4. Industry versus inferiority

Question 39

Trust versus mistrust

Answer 39

The first stage of psychosocial development, during which time infants develop feelings of trust or lack of trust.

Question 40

Autonomy versus shame and doubt

Answer 40

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.

Question 41

Initiative versus guilt

Answer 41

The period during which children experience conflict between independence of action and the sometimes-negative results of that action

Question 42

Industry versus inferiority

Answer 42

The last stage of childhood, during which children may develop positive social interactions with others or may feel inadequate and become less sociable.

Question 43

Cognitive development

Answer 43

process by which a child’s understanding of the world changes as a function of age and experience.

Question 44

Sensorimotor Stage (Birth to 2 Years)

Answer 44

Children’s understanding of the world is based primarily on touching, sucking, chewing, shaking, and manipulating objects.

Question 45

Preoperational Stage (2 to 7 Years):

Answer 45

The most important development at this stage is the use of language.

Question 46

Concrete Operational Stage (7 to 12 Years):

Answer 46

The beginning of this stage is marked by mastery of the principle of conservation

Question 47

Formal Operational Stage (12 Years to Adulthood)

Answer 47

This stage produces a new kind of thinking, which is abstract, formal, and logical.

Question 48

Information processing:

Answer 48

The way in which people take in, use, and store information.

Question 49

Metacognition

Answer 49

awareness and understanding of one’s own cognitive processes, involving the planning, monitoring, and revising of cognitive strategies).

Question 50

The zone of proximal development (ZPD)

Answer 50

at which a child can almost, but not fully, comprehend or perform a task on his or her own.

Question 51

scaffolding

Answer 51

provides support for learning and problem solving that encourages independence and growth.