Chapter 11 - Development over the life span Flashcards
critical period
A time in which exposure to particular kinds of stimulation is required for normal development to occur
sensitive period
An optimal age range for certain experiences, but if those experiences occur at another time, normal development will still be possible
cross-sectional design
A research design that simultaneously compares people of different ages In a particular point in time
longitudinal design
Research that repeatedly tests the same cohort as it grows older
embryo
Scientific term for the prenatal organism during the second week through the eighth week after conception
fetus
The scientific term for the prenatal organism from the ninth week after conception until birth
teratogens
Environmental and nongenetic agents that cause abnormal prenatal development
fetal alcohol syndrome
A severe group of abnormalities that result from prenatal exposure to alcohol
maturation
A genetically programmed, biological process that governs our growth
cephalocaudal principle
The tendency for physical development to proceed in the head to foot direct
proximodistal principle
The principle that physical development begins along the innermost parts of the body and continues towards the outer most parts
reflexes
Automatic, inborn behaviors triggered by specific stimuli
schemas
A mental framework and organized pattern of thought about some aspect of the world, such as a class of people, events, situations, or objects
accomodation
The process by which new experiences cause existing schemas to change
assimilation
In cognitive development, the process by which new experiences are incorporated into existing schemas
sensorimotor stage
In Piaget’s theory, the stage of cognitive development in which children understand the world primarily through sensory experience and physical (motor) interactions with object
object permanence
The recognition that an object continues to exist even when it can no longer Be seen
preoperational stage
In Piaget’s model a stage of cognitive development in which children represent the world symbolically through words and mental images, but do not yet understand basic mental operations or rules