Chapter 11 Flashcards
Developmental psychology
The scientific study of how people change physically, cognitively, socially, and emotionally from infancy through old age
Stages
Distinct segments of an organism’s life with sharp differences or discontinuities between them
Maturation
A series of biological growth processes that enable orderly growth, relatively independent of experience
Cross-sectional design
A methodological approach to studying development that compares participants of different age groups to one another
Longitudinal design
A methodological approach to studying development that tracks participants across time and compares each participant at different time points
Attrition
Participants withdrawing from the study before it is finished
Sequential design
A methodological approach to studying development that tracks multiple age groups across time and compares different age groups to one another, as well as compares participants to themselves at different time points.
Zygote
A fertilized egg, formed by the union of a sperm and an egg
Embryo
An unborn, developing offspring, identified in humans between the 2nd and 8th week of pregnancy
Germinal stage
Where the cells of the zygotes multiply rapidly
Blastocyst
The little ball of cells created two weeks after conception
Embryonic stage
Where the inner cells of the blastocyst form the embryo
Placenta
A mushy, slab-like structure on the wall of the uterus. Represents a collaboration between the pregnant person and the embryo
Endoderm layer
Will form the gut and digestive system
Mesoderm layer
Will form the skeletal system and voluntary muscles
Ectoderm layer
Will become the cells of the nervous system and outer skin
Neural tube
A tubular structure formed early in the embryonic stage from which the brain and spinal cord develop
Neurons and glia
Cells of the developing brain
Neural migration
The process where the neurons and glia become distinct and begin to work together
Fetus
An unborn, developing offspring, identified in humans between the ninth week of pregnancy and birth
Fetal stage
Follows the embryonic stage, begins at the 9th week and continues until birth
Full-term
The brain, lungs, and liver are developed enough for life outside the womb. Begins 37 weeks after conception
Down syndrome
A developmental disorder caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21. It is characterized by intellectual disabilities, delays in motor development, and increased risk for a range of health problems.
Teratogens
Environmental agents that can interfere with healthy fetal development