chapter 1: an introduction to child development Flashcards
meta-analysis
a method for combining the results from independent studies to reach conclusions based on all of them
amygdala
an area of the brain that is involved in emotional reactions
nature
our biological endowment; the genes we receive from our parents
nurture
the environments, both physical and social, that influence our development
genome
each person’s complete set of hereditary information
epigenetics
the study of stable changes in gene expression that are mediated by the environment
methylation
a biochemical process that influences behavior by suppressing gene activity and expression
continuous development
the idea that changes with age occur gradually, in small increments, like that of a pine tree growing taller and taller
discontinuous development
the idea that changes with age include occasional large shifts, like the transition from caterpillar to cocoon to butterfly
stage theories
approaches proposing that development involves a series of large, discontinuous, age-related phases
cognitive development
the development of thinking and reasoning
neurotransmitters
chemicals involved in communication among brain cells
sociocultural context
the physical, social, cultural, economic, and historical circumstances that make up any child’s environment
socioeconomic status (SES)
a measure of social class based on income and education
cumulative risk
the accumulation of disadvantages over years of development
scientific method
an approach to testing beliefs that involves choosing a question, formulating a hypothesis, testing the hypothesis, and drawing a conclusion
hypotheses
testable predictions of the presence or absence of phenomena or relations